Pregnancy advice and free testing
If you think you might be pregnant and your period is late, it is important that you do a pregnancy test as soon as possible.
When to get the test done
Most pregnancy tests state that they work as soon as a period is late (i.e. one day). Most women do not continue to have normal periods when pregnant but some may experience lighter/shorter periods.
For women who do not have a regular cycle it can be difficult to know when a period is due. So it is best to take the test three weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex (as this is roughly how long it will take for the hormone levels to show up on the test).
A negative result means that you are probably not pregnant, but if your period still doesn't come, you should visit your doctor or young people's clinic. A positive result means that you are pregnant - this means you have a decision to make:
- You could choose to become a parent.
- You could choose to end the pregnancy by having an abortion.
- You could choose to have the baby adopted.
It is important that you get advice as quickly as possible, so that all of these options are open to you.
Where to get a test
You can get a free test done at any No Worries! young people's drop-in or sexual health clinic (PDF format). You can also speak to your doctor. All of these services will be confidential.
The Willow Tree Centre also offer pregnancy testing - see information below.
Want to talk to someone?
You don't need to cope with an unplanned pregnancy on your own. There are people who can help you think about your options, so do talk to someone. Contact one of the organisations below:
Pregnancy Advisory Service
Central Health Clinic, Tower Hill, Bristol BS2 0JD
Free NHS service that provides help with unplanned pregnancies and access to abortion.
Mon-Fri Appointments only
Tel: 0117 927 6362
External Link: Pregnancy Advisory Service
See this leaflet for information about your visit to Pregnancy Advisory Service. If you are under 18 this leaflet has further information about supporting adults.
Brook Bristol
Brook Young People's Clinic, 1 Unity Street, Bristol, BS1 5HH
Offers free pregnancy testing, counselling and support to access abortion. A counsellor can listen to how you're feeling, answer any questions you might have and give you lots of information and support to help you make a decision that feels right for you.
Tel: 0117 929 0090
External link: Brook Bristol
Sex. Worth talking about - Confidential Helpline
If you are worried, a chat with someone can really help. Sex. Worth talking about offers a confidential information and advice line.
Tel: 0800 28 29 30 between 7 a.m. and midnight, 7 days a week.
Calls are free from landlines and won't appear on the bill.
The Willow Tree Centre
St Nicholas Family Centre, Chargrove, Yate, BS37 4LG
01454 324080
External link: The Willow Tree Centre
Also offering appointments at:
The Candle, 88 Station Road, Yate BS37 4PH
Blend Café, High Street, Thornbury.
The Willow Tree Centre is a Christian organisation offering crisis pregnancy support.
The Centre offers a free and confidential pregnancy testing service that will provide a result within five minutes. This is a non-NHS service.
The Willow Tree does not provide referral for abortions however young people can book their own appointment with Pregnancy Advisory Service by calling 0117 927 6362 or see information above about Pregnancy Advisory Service.
Marie Stopes Bristol Centre
Unit 2 Gifford Court, Fox Den Road, Bristol, BS34 8TT
Pregnancy testing, abortion advice and help, and counselling. Marie Stopes is a registered charity, and does have to charge fees for services.
Information and appointment line: Daily 24 hours Tel: 0845 300 80 90 (local rate charge) External link: www.likeitis.org
No Worries! is a South Gloucestershire scheme that makes it easier for you to get relationships and sexual health advice and services. Even if you are under 16, all of the services listed in the leaflet are free and confidential (unless you are at risk of harm).
South Gloucestershire No Worries! services leaflet (PDF format) - an up-to-date list of free, confidential local sexual health services that you can trust
