Pregnancy Scare Resources

When someone comes into our direct services with a pregnancy scare, there are some things that we will and won't do.

We absolutely will help users who could clearly be or may soon become pregnant: with things like how to access emergency contraception, abortion, adoption or prenatal care, how to talk with partners about and access contraception, setting limits and boundaries moving forward, and social or emotional needs.

For those who come in with pregnancy scares who, based on what they have told us, absolutely could not be or become pregnant, or who otherwise are not or have not been directly involved with an actual pregnancy: we are happy to talk with you, but we will not engage in ongoing or repeat conversations to validate that you or a partner are not pregnant,  nor explain repeatedly how pregnancy can or can't occur. To find out more about why, and what kinds of discussions we can and will engage with around pregnancy, click here.

We provide a great deal of static content on the site that can help people in pregnancy scares, including those whose fears are based in things other than there being an actual or likely pregnancy. 

Below is a curated list of links to information and help on our site and elsewhere that are about, or often part of, pregnancy fears or anxiety people are experiencing who are not pregnant, including factual information about reproduction, contraception, and what does and does not present pregnancy risks; self-help with managing stress, anxiety or fear; or content to help you with issues that may are often the why of pregnancy scares or fears, like unhealthy relationships or sexual dynamics, doing sexual things someone doesn't want or feel ready for, and not setting limits and boundaries with sex a person wants or needs.

What to do if you're having a pregnancy scare:

Education about how human reproduction works (and how it doesn't), including what kinds of contact do and do not present possible risks of pregnancy:

How to take a pregnancy test, and how pregnancy tests work:

How effective a given method or methods of contraception (birth control) have been and can be:

Estimated effectiveness rates for any two methods of contraception used together:

Help with self-care to manage fear, anxiety or other stress:

If you are experiencing or otherwise part of any kind of pressuring, control or abuse in your relationship or sexual interactions:

Help leaving an unhealthy relationship:

Help making choices with parts of life, like sex, that carry big risks:

Help slowing down sexual activity that is unwanted or scaring you:

Help assessing whether you're ready to be sexual with a partner or not, or if your partner is or is not ready:

Help being more assertive, and less passive with limits, boundaries, and sex in general, and help with sexual communication:

Help if you are convinced you are or may be pregnant when that is either not realistically likely or possible, or things like menstrual periods and negative pregnancy tests have made clear you are not:

Help if you are worried about things you fear may be pregnancy symptoms, or have pregnancy concerns based on an app telling you you were ovulating:

General information about chronic and/or irrational fear of pregnancy:

Resources and services expressly for and about those struggling with anxiety or other mental health issues, including hotlines and references to organizations and sites that provide qualified help with anxiety and other mental health issues, can be found on this page.