If you have had unprotected sex you are at risk of falling pregnant. Most women will find out they are pregnant after their period is more than a week late. Other signs of pregnancy can be feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting, having sore or larger breasts and feeling dizzy or tired, but not all women who are pregnant have these signs. The length of time a woman is pregnant is measured from the first day of her last period.

Finding out you are pregnant can be anything from exciting to daunting and bring up many different emotions, especially if it was not planned. Each woman will feel different. Some women feel confused and scared, whereas others may feel happy and excited. All these feelings are perfectly normal and okay. You are the only one who knows how you feel about it and those feelings will probably also change while you are thinking about your options.

Pregnancy tests are available for purchase at most supermarkets and chemists, or you can contact a local Family Planning Clinic or your General Practitioner about having a test and talking about pregnancy options. The doctor can talk to you about the social and health issues involved in being pregnant. If you are not sure what to do, the doctor can refer you to a Family Planning Clinic or another agency for counselling to help you decide what you want to do.

Planned or unplanned pregnancy, have options, The sooner you find out for sure the more time you have to think about your options.

Keeping the Baby

Being a parent can be hard, tiring and scary - but also very rewarding. It's good to seek support from the father of the baby (If the father will be involved in the child’s life), your family, friends and community if you can, and helps to talk though emotional issues about all the changes to your relationship, income and lifestyle that raising a child will bring. Sometimes it helps to have another person help you talk through these issues. Seek advice about your diet and health and continue to see a doctor throughout your pregnancy. You will also need to start planning to get all the things you will need once the baby is born. Depending on your circumstances there are many forms of support that you can access to help you care for your baby. You can ask for support from the father of the baby, your family, the government (Centrelink) to help you while you are pregnant. After the baby is born you can get help with rent, accommodation, or childcare. You can get special help if your child gets sick or has a disability.

Termination

Sometimes if a pregnancy is unplanned you may not want to continue with it. If you are considering termination it is important that you talk about your options with people who are close to you, like a trusted partner, friend or family member.

You can also discuss the option of termination with your doctor or Family Planning Clinic in your state or territory. You are the only one who can make this decision as you are the only one who knows how you feel.

Adoption

You can also decide to continue the pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption (this means giving your baby away to someone else). Adoption is the legal process of placing your child with people who will raise the child as their own. Adoption is a permanent decision, where all legal rights and responsibilities are transferred from the birth parents to the adoptive parents.

No matter what you decide it is a good idea to talk to qualified people who will be able to provide you with accurate, up-to-date and relevant information about all options. You can find out more about adoption from the Department of Community or Family services in your state or territory.

If you're thinking about adoption but not sure if it's the right choice for you, you can contact Department of Community or Family Services DoCS Adoption and Permanent Care Services on 02 8855 4900 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , to ask about your options.

If you Feel Unable to Cope Once you Have the Baby

If you have a baby and don't feel able to look after it yourself, you can approach other members of your family to help you look after the baby or the Department of Community or Family Services (DoCS)in your State or Territory. Welfare workers from the Department can assess your situation and if it is appropriate they can arrange for a foster parent to look after your baby for you until you are ready to look after it yourself.

Fostering

Foster care involves your child being looked after by another family. There are different types of foster care.

Temporary foster care
This can be used while you sort out accommodation, financial or personal problems. During voluntary care (not ordered by the Court) you remain the child's guardian and can see your child. Temporary care is usually limited to several weeks.

Long-term foster care
If your child is in long-term foster care, you will lose legal guardianship and/or custody, but will still be your child's legal parent. Children often become emotionally attached to their foster family. You need to know that the Court might not agree to return your child when you are ready.

There are many views held by groups and people in our society, many of which conflict with each other, about what is the right thing to do when you are pregnant. Remember don't try to please someone else, only you know what is right for you.

Whatever you decide to do if you are worried, confused or upset, now or later, it may be helpful to talk it through with someone you trust. This may be a family member, friend, counsellor or local doctor.

Information on this page has been sourced from: 

http://www.fpahealth.org.au

http://www.community.nsw.gov.au

http://www.centrelink.gov.au

www.reachout.com.au

www.fpq.com.au

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