Originally posted by le almighty kitten.
Considering that there has been an increase in the number of posts on RYL relating to sex and pregnancy, this article will hopefully help. I realise that alot of this is basic information really and hopefully none of this will be new to anyone, but does make access to certain information and facts easier and quicker. I hope this article doesn't trigger anyone, i've been very blunt about the facts, but the majority of this is about emergency rather than sexual intercourse. These sites are also of relevence to the topic in question:
Family Planning Association.
Brook Centre.
RU Thinking.
Links to sites helping people through miscarriages and terminations.
Help following sexual assault.
Marie Stopes International.
Does sex have to be penetrative for a pregnancy to result?
No, although there are many myths that state things such as oral sex can result in pregnancy, there are some cases where sex does not have to be penetrative for pregnancy to occur. Although the chances of pregnancy occuring are
extremely small, it is possible for pregnancy to occur when penetrative sex hasn't happened or when a man hasn't directly ejaculated into a woman's vagina. The cases are rare, but conception has happened as a result of semen having gone into the vagina "accidentally". An example of this would be, when, during sex, a man ejaculated
onto a woman, rather than
in her. The thing to be aware of is that, although the woman may not have felt any semen enter her, there is a possibility that some might; so, although the chances are that this would have to occur thousands of times before conception occured, conception is still possible. A statistic to consider, is that many couples practise anal sex as a form of birth control; 8% of these couples become pregnant every year; so, although the ejaculation wasn't directly into the vagina, they still became pregnant.
What contraception is available?
There are many types of contraception available, from condoms, femidoms, diaphragm/cap various forms of the Pill, IUDs, implant, patches and injections. The only full proof form of contraception being abstinance however. An effective use of contraception (aside from being used properly!) is to use the Double Dutch method where two forms of contraception (often a barrier method and Pill/IUD/Implant etc) are used; ie the Pill and a condom; however, don't use two condoms or a condom and femidom together as they will often break/split due to friction.
What to do if unprotected sex happens, what emergency contraception available and where is emergency contraception available?
If someone has unprotected sex (and they aren't trying to conceive!), then they need to find emergency contraception. In a case where the unproteced sex has been a result of sexual assault, if the person goes to the police, they should be given emergency contraception there.
There are two basic forms of emergency contraception available: the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (frequently referred to as the Morning After Pill) and an IUD. The Pill has to be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of the unprotected sex occuring, the longer the time after having sex the less effective the Pill will be (towards the 72 hour mark, the effectiveness drops to around 50 - 60%). The IUD (IntraUterine Device) can be fitted up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex happened, an IUD has around a 100% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy when fitted at any point within the five day limit.
Emergency Contraceptive Pill:
The Pill is available from several places: a pharmacy, doctor, Family Planning Clinic, Brook Centre, Accident & Emergency Department, NHS Walk In Centres, Minor Injuries Units and sexual health/GUM clinics. The only age dependent are pharmacies and Brook Centres. In pharmacies, generally speaking a woman must be 16 or over to get the Pill; also, in a pharmacy, only the woman who requires the Pill can be given the Pill (though obviously, someone else can pay, but the woman must be present), the reason being that a pharmacist has to speak to the woman first to ascertain that she is safe to take the Pill. In pharmacies - in the UK anyway - the Pill costs around £25, though some areas run a scheme where the Pill is provided free for women under 18. In a Brook Centre, they are there for women 25 and under. Age isn't relevent to someone seeking the Pill from their doctor, Family Planning Clinic, A&E or sexual health/GUM clinic. Going to a pharmacy is also the only place that will charge for the Pill, though upon seeing a doctor, there may be a prescription charge. With going to Accident & Emergency to get the Pill, ringing ahead (on the main hospital number, not the emergency number!) to see if they stock the Pill is advisable because some hospitals don't provide this service, this can also be done with the likes of NHS Walk In Centres and Minor Injuries Units as some services don't stock emergency contraception.
IUD:
The IUD is not so readily available and is normally only available from a GP/doctor, Family Planning Clinic or Brook Centre. Sometimes GUM clinics, sexual health clinics and young peoples clinics will fit IUDs.
What to do when it is too late for emergency contraception?
When the time limits have passed for emergency contraception, there's not alot that can be done except wait to take a pregnancy test at an appropriate point. Having said that, going and speaking to a doctor would be wise, they can advise on being tested for STIs and STDs that can be transmitted from unprotected sex and also, this can provide an opportunity to discuss ways of preventing the situation happening again. In light of having unprotected sex, a doctor can advise on a suitable form of contraception, or one that is more appropriate than is currently being used.
Taking a pregnancy test.
A pregnancy test shouldn't be taken until around three weeks after unprotected sex happened because the test relies on detecting the HCG hormone; though this hormone is around during very early pregnancy, tests wont generally detect the hormone until some time after unprotected sex and conception occured. A blood test can also be done to detect pregnancy; unlike tests that rely on a urine sample, a blood test is 100% accurate and can give an accurate result within days of conception. Blood tests can be done by a doctor and often can be helpful in putting someone's mind at rest and also if home pregnancy tests are consistently coming back as negative but a period still hasn't arrived, a blood test can quickly confirm or rule out pregnancy. Pregnancy tests can also be done whilst still using a form of contraception such as the Pill or implant because the test is detecting the HCG hormone and not the hormones involved in contraception.
What to do if the result is positive?
If a pregnancy test gives a positive result, then it is extremely important to see a doctor as soon as possible: regardless of whether or not the pregnancy is going to be continued. If a termination is the chosen route, then a doctor can give help in seeking emotional help and support, as well as organising a safe termination. If the pregnancy is to be continued, then seeing a doctor as soon as possible is essential because both the mother's and foetus' health need to be monitored, not only this, but a doctor will provide a referral to a midwife, the sooner this is done, the better for all those concerned.
What to do if the result is negative?
If the test gives a negative result and a due period comes as expected, then everything should be ok. If however the test returns a negative result and the due period doesn't arrive, then a re-test can be done again afer a few days, if a negative result is being given and said period hasn't arrived, then a doctors visit is needed because something may be wrong and in need of being checked out, or the pregnancy isn't showing up on home tests.
When the pregnancy isn't wanted (ie terminations/abortions).
A termination must be performed by a doctor or a medical professional qualified in the relevent field. Some people may attempt to prevent pregnancies occuring by taking overdoses (for example), many of the supposed methods for preventing a pregnancy or terminating a pregnancy are extremely dangerous.Trying to induce a miscarriage or abort the - potential - pregnancy could have huge repercussions for the mother, the reason so many products aren't advised to be had by pregnant women is that the product poses a potential danger to the foetus (ie could cause deformities or damage the placenta for example) and/or mother because the body changes so much during pregnancy. So taking painkillers will not necessarily prevent/terminate a pregnancy, but there is a chance - as with many drugs - that the chemicals
could cause a miscarriage. In attempting to terminate a pregnancy by overdosing, taking harmful substances or doing physical damage can have big repercussions if a miscarriage result because of the risk of heamorraging and infection, among other things.
