Am I pregnant?
The only way to be sure you're pregnant is to get a test. If your period is every four weeks, do the test if you don’t start your period on time. If your cycle is longer, do a test 3 weeks after the date you think you may have become pregnant; doing it earlier may give a false negative result and you will think you are not pregnant when you are.
As soon as you think you may have risked an unwanted pregnancy, think about emergency contraception to prevent conception. The most effective method is the ‘emergency’ IUD which can be fitted up to 5 days after the calculated date of ovulation. Emergency pills (there are 2 types) are also readily available.
Pregnancy Choices
If you are pregnant you may feel a whole range of different emotions. It can be a very difficult decision. Some women know straight away, others need time to decide. Our services are there to support you in whatever decision you make or help you need.
If you are pregnant you have 3 options:
- You can continue with the pregnancy and have a baby
- You can have the baby and have it adopted
- You can have an abortion (sometimes called a termination)
Whatever you decide, it is your decision. If you are sure that you want to keep the baby, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to arrange ante-natal care and to talk about looking after your health during your pregnancy.
If you are unsure as to what to do, specialist support and advice is available. You can talk with one of our specialist staff at Sexual Health clinic at Broad street to help you make the right choice and will provide non-judgemental support to help you make your decision. You can ring us on 01422 261370 to make an appointment.
You can also then be referred to see a counselling service at Calderdale Royal hospital to discuss your options in detail if you prefer before making the decision. Counselling service is available at Calderdale Royal Gynaecology assessment unit every Tuesday between 3 -5 pm.
You can also self-refer to the abortion service on 01422 224962 or 01422 224979 at Calderdale Royal Hospital or Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. Clinics are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Halifax and Wednesday afternoon in Huddersfield. This service is confidential but if you are under 16 you will need to bring an adult (someone over 18) who you trust when you go for your abortion appointment. You also need to see a Counsellor if you are under 16 before you see doctor at the abortion clinic. Calderdale Royal Hospital Gynaecology unit provides medical abortion procedures up to 18 weeks and surgical procedure up-to 9 weeks (Manual Vacuum aspiration under local anaesthetic).
Termination Service for Calderdale and Huddersfield (Healtherdale Clinic)
Contraception
Unintended pregnancies can be prevented effectively by having a long lasting and reliable form of contraception such as the contraceptive implant, coil or injection. Sexual Health Broad Street can help you choose the right contraception method for you.
Contraception will also be offered at the abortion service as well.
Sexual Health during Pregnancy
Sex During Pregnancy
Sex during pregnancy is usually perfectly safe unless you have been advised by your doctor or midwife to avoid this. However, Libido is likely to change during pregnancy and you may find your libido increases or decreases or changes as your pregnancy progresses. This is perfectly normal.
There may also be some practical issues in terms of positions as pregnancy progresses, and when it comes to penetrative sex changing things around a bit could help make things more comfortable. Sex is also more than penetration and touching, stroking, kissing and oral sex can help maintain intimacy and sexual pleasure without things becoming uncomfortable or painful.
There is also no requirement to be sexually active at all and there is a whole bunch of reasons someone may not be up for it! Morning sickness/nausea, tiredness, worry about becoming a parent all play a part in sexual desire.
During the second and third trimester sex and orgasms can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions which can be uncomfortable but shouldn’t be painful. Some women describe these as mild menstrual cramps or a tightening in a specific area of the stomach that’s comes and goes.
As with all good, healthy relationships, communication with your partner is key to navigating what works best for you.
Sexually Transmitted Infections during pregnancy
Condoms are the only reliable way to reduce the risk of infections being passed from one person to another during penetrative sex, and this remains the case during pregnancy. Untreated STI’s can cause long term problems for both you and your baby.
You will be offered screening for 3 sexually transmitted Infections, Hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis, during early stages of pregnancy which involves taking a blood sample. This means if treatment is required this can be provided to reduce risks to baby.
If you think you may have caught and STI whilst pregnant then it is important you contact the sexual health service and access screening. Testing and treatment can be carried out with no risk to baby. More information on how to contact us and our opening times page.
Some infections such as Genital warts and Herpes can be harmful to baby if you experience an outbreak during pregnancy and birth, however this is rare. If you do experience either of these infections during pregnancy, then treatment can be provided by the sexual health service who can offer specialist advice.
HIV treatment is also available to prevent this virus passing on to your baby and there are no known risks to baby through taking HIV medication. If you have been
diagnosed with HIV then you can talk to staff within our HIV service. For more information on what we can offer go to our HIV service page. Post birth it is using formula feed rather than breastfeeding can greatly reduce risk of passing on HIV.
Other pregnancy related information
This page has provided a snapshot of some sexual information relevant to those who are pregnant but more information is available through a number of good resources including;
NHSInform (Scottish website but good accessible information)
Tommys (Pregnancy and baby charity)
RCOG (Royal College of Obstetrics and gyneacologists)
Patient information Browse our patient information | RCOG
Translated patient information Translation patient information | RCOG