Emergency pregnancy test guide: Coping with a pregnancy scare

Nothing in this article is or should be construed as medical advice; for any medical questions, consult your healthcare professional.

Coping with a pregnancy scare

Maybe you’re planning a coffee date with a friend, or looking at your packed work calendar when the “oh no” moment hits. When was my last period? Or perhaps you’re feeling queasy in the morning when the question forms in your mind. Is there a chance that I’m pregnant? Regardless of when and how the first moments of a pregnancy scare happen, they can quickly spiral into panic. The best way to combat uncertainty is with knowledge and a plan of action. Let’s go over common pregnancy scare scenarios, testing tips and how to avoid pregnancy scares in the future.

Breathe, then assess the situation

Wherever you are in your day, stop and take a deep breath. Any anxiety, fear or anger you may feel is normal, and you aren’t alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 45% of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. ¹ And regardless of your birth control method, there is always a risk of pregnancy, however small. As you identify where things went wrong with your birth control plan, here are a few places to get started.

Common causes of pregnancy scares

Condom broke or slipped off

According to the World Health Organization, when used correctly every single time, 98% of women whose male partners use male condoms will be protected from unplanned pregnancy.² However, that efficacy depends heavily on consistent and correct usage. If a condom breaks and isn’t immediately replaced, that changes how effective it is in preventing a pregnancy.

You’re likely to notice a condom breaking either during or after intercourse, in which case you might seek out emergency contraception. We’ll break down the effectiveness of emergency contraception options below.

Missed birth control pills

Taking oral contraceptives is an effective way to prevent pregnancy. But just like condoms, their efficacy depends on consistent and correct usage. If you use the pill perfectly as instructed, it’s 99% effective.³ But if you forget or skip pills, that rate drops down to about 93%.³ If you had unprotected sex and forgot to take your pill, you’ll want to look into emergency contraception options — see below!

IUD displacement or expiration

An IUD (or intrauterine device) is a tiny, T-shaped device placed into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are long term, reversible and effective, but they aren’t without their own complications. IUD displacement or expulsion (falling out) can raise the risk of pregnancy if you have unprotected sex. If your IUD is displaced, it may go unnoticed. Expulsion may cause pain, and occurs in approximately 5% of women⁴ , more commonly occurring if:

• You’re within your first year of having an IUD
• You’re under the age of 25
• You recently had an abortion
• You’re recently postpartum
• You’ve given birth fewer than two times
• You’re using a copper IUD compared to a LNG-IUD (levonorgestrel intrauterine device)⁴

Unlike a broken condom or skipped birth control, you should contact your healthcare professional immediately if you think something is wrong with your IUD. Check for symptoms like spotting, dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) or lower abdominal pain, but keep in mind that displacement might also have no symptoms.⁴ Create a calendar reminder to get your IUD replaced before it expires.

Emergency contraception options

Emergency contraceptives are methods and treatments that prevent pregnancy from occurring after unprotected sex, but they need to be implemented as soon as possible.⁵ Here’s a breakdown of available emergency contraception (EC) options:

• IUDS
  • Yep, IUDs are also a form of emergency contraception. When used as a form of emergency contraception, an IUD such as Paragard, Mirena or Liletta lowers your chances of pregnancy by more than 99.9 percent, as long as it’s inserted within 5 days of having unprotected sex.⁶ You will need to contact your ob-gyn or other healthcare professional to get an IUD. Once inserted, IUDs are the most effective form of EC for up to 10 years.⁵
• Ulipristal pills
  • Ulipristal (sold under the brand name Ella or others) is a medication that interferes with progesterone activity to delay or prevent ovulation.⁵ It can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex and is available by prescription only. After an IUD, ulipristal is the most effective type of EC pill.⁵
• Progestin-only pills
  • A progestin-only pill (such as Plan B) is a single hormonal birth control pill that stops or delays ovulation to prevent pregnancy. It’s most effective when taken within 3 days of unprotected sex, and moderately effective within 5 days. ⁵ This pill is available without a prescription in many pharmacies and stores.
• Combined EC pill
  • Combined birth control pills (like Lo/Ovral and Triphasil) contain both estrogen and progestin in higher-than-usual amounts to delay ovulation. These pills must be taken ASAP, but can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex. ⁵ They are typically taken in two doses, and the number of pills needed varies depending on the brand. ⁵ Your ob-gyn or healthcare professional should instruct you on the details.

Pregnancy test timing and tips

Once you have an emergency contraceptive plan in place, you’ll still want to take a home pregnancy test. The timing of testing does matter; you want to wait until the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) would be high enough, if present, to register on a home test. Our testing calculator can help you identify the right date to test. Some early pregnancy tests — like the Clearblue® Early Digital Pregnancy Test and the Clearblue® Early Detection Pregnancy Test — can tell you whether you are pregnant as early as 6 days before your missed period (which is 5 days before your expected period).^7,8 If you tested too early and got a negative result, you should take another test in three days’ time. 

When you’re ready to test, be honest and open about any feelings of anxiety you experience. Enlist the help or presence of a trusted support person. Incorporate grounding breathing techniques when waiting for the result. Avoid going down any internet rabbit holes that might just fuel your panic. Read the test instructions thoroughly and make sure you’re following each step. If your test does come back positive, we have some resources with next steps.

Tips for avoiding future pregnancy scares

A pregnancy scare can take a toll on your mental health and weigh on you, before and after the result. If you went through the experience with a partner, it might’ve also added stress or strain to your relationship. Here are a few ways to avoid future scares:

• Keep a backup supply of over-the-counter emergency contraception pills at home (be sure to look for expiration dates on the packaging).
• Use a period tracker like the Clearblue® Period & Cycle Tracker app for extra organization and reminders. This can also help you gauge if you might be entering perimenopause, the time of transition between your reproductive years and menopause when your cycle may become irregular.
• Have a stash of pregnancy tests on hand (be sure to keep an eye on expiration dates). Familiarize yourself with the instructions so you don’t make a mistake in a high-stress moment.
• Communicate openly and honestly with your partner or partners about contraceptive methods.

And finally, never be afraid to advocate for what’s best for your reproductive health. If a daily birth control pill isn’t working for your lifestyle anymore, talk with your healthcare professional about a better fit. If a pregnancy scare prompts you to re-think your routines or needs, fight for those changes. Trust your intuition; you know your body best.

Related Articles 

• How to buy a pregnancy test without anyone knowing
• How many pregnancy tests should I take?
• Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy: How to seek support
• How soon is too soon to take a pregnancy test?