IF YOU THINK YOU ARE PREGNANT
You can get a free test 'while you wait' at Castlegate, the Young People's Clinic, Family Planning Clinic at Monkgate ot Acomb or from the health drop-ins at York College and Askham Bryan College. You can also get one from your G.P. (results make take a few days).
You can also buy a home pregnancy kit at most chemists.
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT
It can be very difficult to decide what to do if you are unexpectedly pregnant. You may feel that you can't talk about it to anyone you know, or that you need to discuss it further with someone else. To talk to someone who can give you information and help you think things through without making your mind up for you, contact the Young People's Sexual Health Outreach Team at Monkgate Health Centre or Castlegate.
You can also ask to be referred for counselling at York District Hospital by your Family Planning Clinic.
If you decide to have a termination (abortion)
If you decide to have a termination, you need to be referred to the Hospital by a doctor at a Family Planning Clinic, at Monkgate or Acomb Health Centre or by your GP.
You can ask for a termination even if you are under 16 and it can in some cases be done without your parents' knowledge - see here for more information about confidential treatment. If you are 16 or over you do not need your parent's consent. They will not be told unless you wish them to be.
Don't try and get rid of it yourself - this is very dangerous.
You need to talk to someone as soon as possible, as termination is more straightforward if you are less than 12 weeks pregnant. Later terminations are safe but a different method is used, and you may have difficulty getting a termination over 12 weeks on the NHS in your area. It may take a little longer to arrange at an NHS hospital, but they are free.
If the Doctor agrees that you have good reason for wanting a termination, they will refer you to a hospital. If they are not sympathetic, you can go to another one. If you have problems getting a termination in York, speak to an advice agency or one of the people mentioned about private alternatives to the NHS.
If you decide to continue with the pregnancy
...then there are lots of things you need to start sorting out! You will find more information about pregnancy, health, birth, bringing up a child etc. in the being a parent section.