If you think you might be pregnant — and you don't want to be — it can be scary. But remember, whatever happens, you aren't alone and you have options.
We're here to help you figure out what to do next.
If you forgot to use contraception, try not to be too hard on yourself. You're not the first person that's happened to.
If you did use contraception and it failed, know that it happens more often than you might expect.
The important thing is to act quickly if you want to prevent pregnancy.
There are two main types: the hormonal EC pill ('morning-after' pill) and the copper intrauterine device (IUD).
The EC pill delivers a high dose of hormones to delay ovulation or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in your uterus.
EC pills are up to 95 percent effective when used within 5 days of unprotected sex.
Some pills are available over the counter (OTC), but others need a prescription.
The copper IUD (Paragard) is more effective than all EC pills, but it has to be prescribed and inserted by a doctor.
Paragard works by releasing copper into the uterus and fallopian tube. This causes an inflammatory reaction that's toxic to sperm and eggs.
It's 99 percent effective when inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex.
You can only get pregnant during ovulation, a narrow window of 5 to 6 days per month.
If you have a 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation happens around day 14.
Your risk of pregnancy is highest in the 4 to 5 days leading up to ovulation, on the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation.
Although an egg only lives for about 24 hours after ovulation, sperm can live up to five days inside the body.
This can be a stressful time, and there's no need to go through it alone. That's why we recommend talking to a partner, friend, or other trusted figure.
They can support you through this process and listen to your concerns. They can even go with you to get EC or take a pregnancy test.
EC can make your next period come sooner or later than normal. Most people will get their period within a week of when they expect it.
If you don't get your period within that week, take a home pregnancy test.
A late or missed period doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant. A number of other factors — including your stress level — may be to blame.
The following steps can help you narrow down the underlying cause.
Lots of people have irregular menstrual cycles. Some have cycles as short as 21 days or as long as 35.
If you aren't sure where your cycle falls, grab a calendar and cross-check the dates of your last several periods.
This should help you determine whether your period is truly late.
A missed period isn't always the first sign of pregnancy. Some people may experience:
Avoid taking a home pregnancy test before the first day of your missed period.
You likely won't have enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) — the pregnancy hormone — built up in your system for the test to detect.
You'll get the most accurate result if you wait until one week after your expected period.
If your test comes back positive, take another test in a day or two.
Although home pregnancy tests from reputable brands are reliable, it's still possible to get a false-positive.
Your healthcare provider will confirm your pregnancy with a blood test, an ultrasound, or both.
You have several options, and all are valid:
When it comes to next steps, there is no 'right' decision. Only you can know what is right for you.
Your healthcare provider is a resource, though. They can help you plan your next steps — whether or not you decide to continue with the pregnancy.
If you decide you want an abortion and your doctor doesn't perform the procedure, they may be able to refer you to someone who does.
The National Abortion Federation can also help you find an abortion provider.
If you decide you want to keep the baby, your doctor can give you family planning advice and get you started with prenatal care.
Take another test in a few days or the following week, just to be sure you didn't take the test too early.
Your healthcare provider can confirm your results by doing a blood test. Blood tests can detect hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests can.
Your provider can also help you determine why you haven't had a period.
You don't have to stick to your current birth control method if it isn't working for you.
For example, if it's difficult to remember to take a daily pill, you may have better luck with the patch, which is changed weekly.
If you're having issues with the sponge or other OTC options, maybe a form of prescription birth control would be a better fit.
Although you don't have to talk to a doctor or other provider to get OTC birth control, they can be an invaluable resource.
Your healthcare provider is there to help you find the right birth control, prescription or otherwise, for your lifestyle.
They can help you make the switch and guide you on next steps.
There is no normal or right way to feel after a pregnancy scare. It's totally fine to feel scared, sad, relieved, angry, or all of the above.
No matter how you feel, just remember that your feelings are valid — and no one should make you feel bad for having them.
There are ways to avoid another scare in the future.
Condoms do more than just reduce your risk for pregnancy, they also help protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Although inside condoms, which are inserted into the vagina, are one-size-fits-all, outside condoms, which are worn on the penis, aren't.
Using an outside condom that's too big or too small may slip off or break during sex, increasing your risk of pregnancy and STIs.
Inside condoms are inserted similarly to tampons or menstrual cups, and outside condoms slide on like gloves.
If you need a refresher, check out our step-by-step guides for each type.
Don't use a condom if the packaging is worn or damaged, or if it's past its expiration date.
Some other birth control options include:
The IUD and the implant are two forms of long-acting reversible birth control (LARC).
This means that once a LARC is put into place, you're protected against pregnancy without any additional work on your part.
IUDs and implants are over 99 percent effective, each lasting several years before needing to be replaced.
There are several things you can do to support someone who's dealing with a pregnancy scare:
A pregnancy scare can be a lot to deal with, but try to remember that you aren't stuck. You always have options, and there are people and resources to help you through this process.
Simone M. Scully is a writer who loves writing about all things health and science. Find Simone on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.