Pregnancy Testing

Pregnancy may be a planned event or an unintended outcome. The news of an unintended pregnancy usually brings all kinds of emotional reactions including shock, confusion, anxiety and stress. You may feel alone or be uncertain about your next course of action. Your partner, parents or friends may try to influence your decisions about the pregnancy. There are people at Gannett who can help you sort out your feelings and talk with you confidentially about your options.

Pregnancy testing is available at Gannett for $5.00 on a walk-in basis. No appointment is necessary but you can make an appointment if it would be more convenient for you (Call 255-5155). The pregnancy test is conducted by taking a urine sample that is sent to Gannett’s lab. It takes about an hour to get results. You can wait for the results, or a nurse can call you once the report is back.

If you prefer, home pregnancy testing kits can be obtained over the counter at any drug store (like Hills) and most grocery stores (in the pharmacy depts) like Wegmans and Tops. They are generally reliable when the instructions are followed carefully.

Pregnancy options counseling is available to you with one of Gannett’s nurses or Clinical Counselors. Once you have your test results, it is up to you to decide how you would like to proceed. Options for pregnancy include continuing the pregnancy, continuing the pregnancy resulting in adoption, or termination. Termination can be arranged through local providers.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality at Gannett will be strictly maintained. You needn’t fear that anyone will be contacted (including your parents or professors) regarding your decisions or any sexual health services you may receive.

Early signs of pregnancy

Some women may notice a missed period (amenorrhea), fatigue, frequent urination, nausea (at any time of day, not just in the morning), and tender or enlarged breasts. Sometimes these symptoms are present, sometimes not. Some of these conditions can be present without pregnancy. Concerns about symptoms like these should be directed to your healthcare provider. There could be other underlying causes that create these effects and it is best to know what they are.