Teenage pregnancy

There’s a lot of evidence that teenage parents are less likely to finish their education, less likely to get a job paying good money, and more likely to end up as single parents.

Children of teenage parents are at greater risk of poor health.

That’s why our first priority is to help teenagers avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Free condoms and other help

If you have sex and don’t take any precautions, there’s a high chance of getting pregnant.  If you don’t use condoms, you’re also at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

You can get free condoms, contraceptive advice and information about keeping sexually healthy from young people’s drop-ins and clinics. For fiurther information visit SWISH for details.

Emergency contraception

If you had sex in the last few days without taking any precautions, or you think your contraception didn’t work, emergency contraception can stop you falling pregnant.

There are two kinds: the emergency pill and the IUD.

How and where to get emergency contraception.

Pregnancy tests

If you think you might be pregnant, the first thing to do is take a test to find out for sure. The earlier you know the more choices you have.

Pregnancy tests are available free from some local sexual health services and some GPs. Or you can buy a pregnancy test at a chemist for around £8 - £10. If you are doing a home pregnancy test, read and follow the instructions carefully.

Dealing with the results of a pregnancy test

If the test shows you are not pregnant, think about whether now’s a good time to talk to someone about contraception and what type would suit you. You can get advice and help from any local young people’s drop-in or clinic.

If you are pregnant the most important thing is to not feel you have to decide what to do on your own. Talk to your parents or other family members if you can. If not, speak to other people such as your boyfriend, doctor, teacher, school counsellor, school nurse or a youth worker. They can support you and tell you about the options you have.

You can also get information, advice and support from the local young people’s centres and the family planning service.