Ask the Doctor. CareNet's doctor has provided the following answers so you can begin addressing your concerns. If you have more questions, come in for a free, confidential pregnancy consultation. CareNet's experienced, compassionate medical personnel will be happy to answer any of your questions. Please click to chat or call us at 630.455.0300 to make an appointment.

FAQs
Q: How and when can I find out if I'm pregnant?
A. We provide women with pregnancy tests that are greater than 99% accurate, and are effective within just 10 days after conception. Test results can be read in four minutes. Our tests detect the presence of human chorionicgonadotropin a hormone that is present when women are pregnant.

Q. What are some of the symptoms of pregnancy?
A. Some of the signs that you may be pregnant are: a late period, tender or swollen breasts, frequent urination, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, backaches, food cravings and darkening of the nipples.

Q. How safe is ultrasound?
A. An ultrasound is essentially sound waves being bounced off parts of a person's body. The echoes produce an image of the internal structures and tissues—in this case, a baby. There is no radiation used in an ultrasound, and according to AIUM (American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine) an ultrasound is completely safe—there has been no evidence of detrimental biological effects in the last 30 years of its use.

Q. When can I get pregnant?
A. Women have been known to get pregnant while using condoms, spermacide, or even birth control. The various contraceptive methods have different failure rates, and nothing other than abstinence will guarantee that a woman will not become pregnant. Generally a woman is most fertile 15 days before her next period, but again, there is no guarantee.

Q. How can I find out how many weeks pregnant I am?
A. A rough estimate can be made using a pregnancy wheel with calculations based on the date of last period. Please know this date before you call us. The most effective way to determine exactly how pregnant you are is through an ultrasound.

Q. I've heard about something called the "morning after pill," can you tell me about it?
A: The morning after pill must be taken within 72 hours of intercourse. Researchers have not identified exactly how it works. One possibility is that it interferes with the implantation of the fertilized egg in your uterus. We do know that it has a 25% failure rate.

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Q. What are the different kinds of abortion?
A. The abortion procedure depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy.

• 4 to 7 weeks of pregnancy: a chemical abortion such as RU486 "The Abortion Pill" where 2 drugs are given to the woman. The first pill stops the pregnancy in the uterus. It can also stop those that are developing in the fallopian tube. The second pill empties the uterus.

• between 6 and 14 weeks: there are two kinds of surgical abortion - dilation and curettage (also called the suction curettage) or dilation and evacuation. Essentially, with both methods, the uterus is emptied using suction and medical instruments.

The only way to accurately tell how far along you are in your pregnancy is with an ultrasound.

Q. Are there any risks with abortion?
A. As with any surgery, there are risks both physical and emotional. which may include: infection, heavy bleeding, miscarriage in future pregnancies, tearing or damage of the cervix and perforation of the uterus. Some women experience negative psychological effects.

Q. What kind of psychological effects?
A. Psychologists have diagnosised post abortion stress syndrome in some women. This is where the symptoms of depression, grief, anxiety and low self esteem persist for years and a woman finds it difficult to function as she once did.

Q. Before I knew I was pregnant I used drugs and alcohol, will there be something wrong with my baby?
A. Babies exposed to any form of drugs during pregnancy can run the risk of premature birth, birth defects, or other developmental issues. However, if a woman stops taking drugs and alcohol within the first trimester (3 months), the effects on the baby's health are reduced.

Q. I've been told because of an existing medical condition I present a high-risk pregnancy. Is this true?
A. Depending on what your medical condition is, it may or may not cause problems during pregnancy. As the level of risk heightens, it is recommended that you seek medical advice and support as soon as possible to bring your body to its healthiest point while carrying a baby. The healthier you are, the healthier your baby will be also.

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