13 years old and hoping I’m not pregnant

O.K. I am 13 and in two months will be 14.  I am like 3 weeks late!!!  My last “visit” lasted for one day.  I can’t understand if I am just over-reacting or miscalculating or what but I am sooo scared.  What if I am???  What would I do?  I don’t believe in abortion and definitely not adoption.  But 13!!!!!!!!!!  I am YAAAAAAA too young!!!!!  I can’t afford a test and have no way to secretly go to a clinic!!!!  I need your help!  What should I do?  From Very-Very-Scared

Dear Very-Very-Scared,

I understand what you’re going through.  But try to calm down and consider what realistic options you have.  If you have a Dollar Tree store nearby and any way to go shopping there alone, then look for their $1 pregnancy test kits.  Those are quite accurate, especially if you take it in the morning.  If you are 3 weeks late (and possibly pregnant), then the pregnancy test kit should accurately let you know whether you are pregnant or not.  Be sure to read the instructions on the kit thoroughly so you will not do a false test.  If you don’t have a Dollar Tree accessible, then try Walmart.  Their prices are probably a bit higher for a cheap urine pregnancy test kit, but you’d be surprised–pregnancy test kits can be very inexpensive.

If you are pregnant, and, since you didn’t say that wasn’t possible, then you’d better face it and realize that your sexual behavior may be throwing that curve ball at you; you’d better brace yourself for some difficult times.  I’d recommend calling the pregnancy crisis help line for advice on breaking the news with your parents (the national help line helps teen girls all the time) and their toll free number is 800-395-HELP.

If the national help line can’t help you, contact us and we’ll help you any way possible.  Or email us, and we’ll give you specific, personal advice to the best of our ability.  We’re hoping the same thing you are–that you aren’t pregnant.  But, we’d recommend you prepare for worse case scenerio.

If you’ve read any of the other missed period posts, then you are aware that missed periods really aren’t that uncommon and they can be caused by stress, a change in birth control medications, a new sexual partner, sickness, an exercise routine change, or poor diet (and other things).  However, if you’ve been ”messing around with guys,” then, condom or no condom, you might be looking at some other reason for your missed period–a.k.a. being pregnant.  Even though you’re 13 years old, there are plenty of 13 year olds who get pregnant every year.  You’re a fertile woman–it doesn’t matter whether you’re 13 or 36 … pregnancy results from sexual intimacy with a guy.

Please keep me posted, and don’t hesitate to contact me.

Hannah