While many women and trans* folk want to have children, they usually want them when they are ready and able to care for them. But millions of women worldwide face unplanned pregnancies every year nonetheless.

So if you’re not trying to get pregnant it is important to be on some type of contraceptive. There are many to choose from that you can decide on based on what suits your body, your finances, and your needs. You can look at the different options here.

If you think you may be pregnant, the first step is to take a urine pregnancy test on the day of your missed period. Home pregnancy tests results can also be confirmed by other tests. You can get a blood test at the clinic or hospital around two weeks after the unprotected sex happened, or an ultrasound 4 to 5 weeks after the incident. However, these options are a bit more expensive than a test done at home.

If you turn out to be pregnant, you have three options to think about — abortion, adoption, and parenting. Reading and learning about each one will help you get the facts and may help you decide. It may also help to weigh the benefits and risks of each one. Think about which benefits and risks are most important to you.

Only you can decide what is right for you. But people often find it helpful to talk it through with someone else. You may choose to talk with your partner or a trusted family member or a friend. Pick someone you think will be supportive. If you want to talk to someone who does not necessarily know you but can provide the information and support, you might want to contact us on our hotline. It’s important to remember that you get to decide who is a part of your decision-making process.

If you choose abortion, we have a list of frequently asked questions that can help answer your most persistent worries and doubts. You can also refer to our hotline for a more personalized conversation. 1 out of 3 women have an abortion in their lives, which is why we made this podcast episode to dispel the myths surrounding the health procedure.

If you go for parenting, it is better if you have a file opened at a clinic or a hospital of your choice, according to your resources, to keep up with different required testing and maternal health options. They are still required to start a file for you even if your pregnancy is outside wedlock. 

If you are considering adoption, you may have to go through underground channels in Lebanon. It exists, but it is not exactly sanctioned and happens under the table. Finding contacts that can help you go through a safe process of putting a child into adoption is important. We can also have a conversation about it on the hotline.