Am I pregnant?
If you have had unprotected sex and think you may be pregnant you can buy a pregnancy test (from the pharmacy or supermarket) or see a doctor or nurse.
A pregnancy test will not usually be accurate until around the time your period is due. If you do the test too early, it may give you a false (incorrect) result.
What are my options?
If you have had sex in the last five days and do not want to be pregnant you can use emergency contraception such as the emergency contraceptive pill or copper IUD.
If you are pregnant and do not want to be it is your choice what you would like to do. Unplanned pregnancy is very common and there are many support services available. You have the following options:
- Having an abortion
- Continuing the pregnancy and parenting
- Continuing the pregnancy and adopting
Where can I get help?
You can speak to your doctor or nurse or visit a family planning clinic to discuss your options.
Some people find talking with their partner, family or friends can help.
Having an abortion:
In Victoria, if you want to end the pregnancy, you can arrange to have:
- a medication abortion (up to 9 weeks of your pregnancy); or
- a surgical abortion
Only a small number of clinics provide surgical abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy. You can contact a family planning clinic for more information.
Most methods of contraception can be started at the time or very soon after having an abortion.
Abortion laws are different in each state and territory. Early abortion (up to 12 weeks) is available Australia wide. Later abortion is available in most states and territories.
Continuing the pregnancy and parenting:
If you want to become a parent, prenatal (pregnancy) care is important for your health and your baby. See a doctor or nurse about your health, childbirth options, and referral to a hospital and other support services.
Continuing the pregnancy and adopting:
Adoption is when you voluntarily give up all your legal rights and responsibilities in relation to your baby and the adoptive parents become the baby’s legal parents. The Victorian government has some information to help you with adoption.
You might be interested in watching:
Where to get more information, support or advice
- Contact your local doctor (GP)
- Contact 1800 My Options
- Visit Family Planning Victoria's clinics
- Contact The Royal Women's Hospital Pregnancy Advisory Service
- Visit Parentline Victoria
- Visit Better Health Channel
- Visit Victorian Department of Human Services Adoption and Permanent Care Program :
- Eastern Metropolitan Region Tel. (03) 9843 6413
- Southern Region Tel. (03) 9521 5666
- Barwon South Western Region Tel. (03) 5226 4540
- Northern Metropolitan Region Tel. (03) 9479 0558
- Western Region Tel. (03) 9396 7400
- Gippsland Region Tel. (03) 5133 9998
- Grampians Region Tel. (03) 5337 3333
- Loddon Mallee Region Tel. (03) 5440 1100
- Hume Region Tel. (03) 5832 150
Easy English version
This information is available in Easy English format.