Am I Pregnant?
Think you might be pregnant? Your first step is to take a pregnancy test. The Women's Center of Eastern Connecticut can provide you with a lab quality urine pregnancy test, of which the results can be discussed in minutes. All our services are free and confidential. Check out our Pregnancy Calculator to determine how far along you might be.
Signs & Symptoms
The most common symptom of pregnancy is a missed period; however, there are other symptoms you may experience.
Click on each of the symptoms to learn more.
Reference from Mayoclinic.org May 2019 article. Read more about pregnancy and symptoms at mayoclinic.org
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I’m pregnant. What are my options?If you are pregnant, you have more options than you think. Our caring staff will discuss all your options with you, without judgment. All the resources we provide are completely objective and we’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision regarding your pregnancy.
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What do I need at my first appointment?The only thing Women's Center of EC asks, is that you bring a photo ID.
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How much does an appointment cost?Because we care about your health and wellbeing, your appointment with us is completely free and confidential. You do not need to bring any form of payment or health insurance with you to your appointment, just a photo ID.
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How do I know if I'm pregnant?Because each woman and each pregnancy is unique, symptoms may vary. However, the most common sign of pregnancy is a missed period. If you have missed a period, it’s best to make an appointment for a free pregnancy test at our center. Other common pregnancy symptoms include fatigue, nausea, bloating, darkening of the nipples, cramping/spotting, and frequent urination.
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How does a pregnancy test work?During your appointment, we collect a small sample of urine. A urine pregnancy test detects the presence of hCG, which is a hormone associated with pregnancy. If hCG is detected in your urine, that means you have a positive test. Over-the-counter pregnancy tests can be accurate, but often women take them too early or don’t follow the directions carefully. Even if you have taken a home pregnancy test, confirm your results with free pregnancy testing at Womens Center EC
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When should I get an ultrasound?After you have received a positive pregnancy test, it may be time to get a limited obstetric ultrasound. An ultrasound can diagnose pregnancy, determine how far along you are and detect a fetal heartbeat.
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Do you have trained medical staff?Yes. All our medical services are provided by licsened medical professionals. Women's Center of EC medical professionals on staff include: Medical Doctor Registered Nurses Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
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What are the signs of an STI?Most STIs do not exhibit unique symptoms, and most symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses. That’s why it’s important to get tested after unprotected sex. Waiting too long to get tested and treated for an STI puts you and your partner at risk for severe health complications.
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I’m struggling in my relationship, can you help?Yes! We’ve mentored thousands in healthy relationship building skills. Relationships can be hard but we are here to help.
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Does my significant other have a say in my decision?Whether you are a woman or man facing an unexpected pregnancy, you don’t have to go through it alone. You both should have an open discussion regarding your options and make an informed decision together on what to do moving forward. We can help facilitate these conversations and provide you with the information you need
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What if I don’t know how to be a good parent?No one is a parenting expert, but that doesn’t mean you can’t provide your child with love and support. We offer parenting classes to help you learn the ins and outs of being a good parent during each stage of your child’s life. Call or text us today to learn more about our free parenting program and how it can benefit you.
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What if I don't live close to the Women's Center?If you live in another community and are not sure if you can make it to our Center, consider visiting our Mobile Care van, which schedules travel to communities throughout the state.
What's Next?
After taking a pregnancy test and receiving positive results, your next step is to receive a limited obstetric ultrasound. An ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure. An Ultrasound machine uses soundwaves to create a picture of the inside of your body, that includes your uterus and fetus, and gives you important information about your pregnancy. An ultrasound can confirm your pregnancy, show the gestational age of your pregnancy and as well as determine where the pregnancy is located.
Confirming a Pregnancy
Confirming a pregnancy is important because up to 20% of all pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage. The purpose of an ultrasound is to ensure your pregnancy is viable (a heartbeat is detected). Once you have this information, you can begin considering your options.
Knowing the gestational age, or how far along you are in the pregnancy is needed if you are considering abortion, adoption or parenting. Different abortion procedures are determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy, and prenatal care is an important part of staying healthy during a pregnancy. No matter what options you may be considering, it is crucial to know.
Determining where the pregnancy is located is important as well. Sometimes, a fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus as it should. If it attaches somewhere else like within a fallopian tube, it’s called an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are dangerous and need to be treated immediately by a medical professional. The Women's Center is committed to the care and health of all our clients.