Help I think I'm pregnant

Menstruation can be delayed for a few reasons - either pregnancy has occurred or some other factor has come into play.

Please note that the following information applies to natural cycles - that is, if you are not taking the Pill.

When trying to work out why your period is not arriving when it is due, the first question to consider is have you been sexually active that month?


Sexually active - Intercourse

If you think that you have had sexual intercourse without contraception since your last period - you need to determine if you were fertile when intercourse occurred.

You are fertile when you are ovulating - usually mid cycle. This fertile time is generally accompanied by an increase in vaginal or cervical mucus - discharge. This is a signal you are fertile. How do I know I am fertile provides more information on recognising mid cycle ovulation.

And there is also a possibility of being fertile during your natal lunar fertile time.

Two fertile times provides information on your natal lunar fertile time.

If you think intercourse occurred at one of your fertile times - The best course of action at this point is to take a home pregnancy test , you will save yourself the worry and be better armed to deal with the situation.

If it is less than 72 hours since intercourse occurred you may want to consider the morning after pill - This form of emergency contraception is taken in two doses: the first within 72 hours of unprotected sex and the second 12 hours later. These pills work by inhibiting fertilization or implantation. The morning after pill will not work if the woman is already pregnant.
Sexual activity - withdrawal

Withdrawal or where the man pulls his penis out before he comes or ejaculates is NOT a reliable form of contraception. Sperm is often present on the tip of the penis even before he comes - if you are fertile and engaging in this form of intercourse you are running a very serious risk of getting pregnant.

Other sexual activity.

If you haven't had sexual intercourse at all, but have participated in heavy petting, then it is not likely that you are pregnant.
Can you get pregnant without having sexual intercourse?

No you can't , However there is a remote chance of getting pregnant if the penis or sperm comes in contact with the mouth of your vagina when you are fertile, that is, in the presence of your wet, slippery mucus. To be on the safe side, whenever you are fertile keep the penis well away from your vagina.

Another important thing to remember is that sperm can live for up to 5 days, so knowing your body and its fertility and allowing a number of safe days (generally about 5 days) leading up to and after (2-3 days) ovulation / fertile times is essential.

So if your sexual activities have not included any of the risky behaviour above then you probably aren't pregnant and the delay is being caused by other factors. In this scenario the other factors are usually worry and anxiety about being pregnant.

The best thing to do, although not the easiest thing to do is to relax and allow your body to do its thing.

You might want to try visualising your blood flowing, or using affirmations like "I now release the worry of being pregnant and welcome the flow of my blood" or what ever feels comfortable for you.

This might sound a bit weird but our thoughts and emotions have such a profound effect upon our menstrual cycles that it is definitely worth giving it a try.

Run yourself a nice hot bath, use some essential oils or bath salts, light some candles, and just relax and let your body unwind. You may also want to try have your lower back or abdomen massaged, and doing other forms of exercise where you are loosening up your pelvic / hip area.

Irregular cycles gives a more in depth look into some other reasons why your period might be late.