I’ve been there too – the weird symptoms that could be pregnancy but could also be just PMS, trying to do the fast math of when your last period was and when the tracker app says that you might have ovulated and then crossed it with the time you last had sex….and had the oooooh boy thought. If you’re also a few days late on your period, the feeling can leave your heart pounding, especially if you weren’t planning to be pregnant.
Maybe you’ve just taken the test and it’s sitting there with its two little pink lines. Or is there a second line? It’s hard to say. You shakily grabbed your phone to search for what to do now. Is the test accurate? How far along are you? What do you do next?
Take a deep breath. While the world may feel like it has stopped turning, the rest of your life does not have to be decided tonight. Take the first step towards making the best decision for you right now.
Is it Early Pregnancy or PMS?
Symptoms of early pregnancy include nausea, frequent urination, frequent nosebleeds, breast tenderness, and fatigue. Frustratingly, the symptoms of early pregnancy and PMS are really similar because you have the same hormones at play during both your luteal phase and early pregnancy.
Guessing and trying to track down every last symptom or twinge will only increase your panic, and stress is one of the most common causes of a delayed period. While you wait for Aunt Flo to arrive, practice extra self care and give yourself some grace.
If it has been four weeks since the first day of your last period (LMP), call Alpha Center for a pregnancy test or pre-abortion screening. While guessing can increase your stress, verification of positive or negative pregnancy can stop it.
Step 1:
Call Alpha Center for a free pregnancy test. Drugstore pregnancy tests can bleed, leave evaporation lines, be hard to read or expensive to take multiple tests. Our nurses have seen and read hundreds of pregnancy tests and know how to read them accurately.
Step 2:
Deciding what to do with your pregnancy is not something to take lightly. At Alpha Center we provide you with the medical information about your body and your pregnancy to help you make an informed decision.
Important factors when making a pregnancy decision include:
- How far along you are – this affects the kind of abortion you’d be eligible for
- Whether or not the pregnancy is ectopic: ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and is not able to be treated with an abortion or abortion pills
- If the pregnancy is viable: nearly ⅓ of pregnancies end in miscarriage and an abortion would not be necessary.
- Do you have an STI? Up to 80% of STIs are asymptomatic and an infection at the time of an abortion can greatly increase your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease
- Health history and risks: our nurses will go over your individual health factors that may alter your options and what to expect during and after an abortion
No matter what decision you make, you deserve informed consent. In most cases, our nurses are able to offer an ultrasound and STI test during the same visit to help you get the answers to these questions without worrying about the cost of your appointment. We inform, you decide.
Step 3:
During your appointment, our staff is focused on you and your experience, so you can leave the noise at the door and focus on what you need to know and have your questions answered. All of our services are free, so our staff is not interested in trying to convince you to proceed with anything you don’t need or aren’t comfortable with. We will inform you of your options and give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
You can rest easy knowing that Alpha Center doesn’t have any financial stake in your decision and there won’t be a bill in your inbox later.
Now What?
Seeking help is brave – be proud of yourself! If your period hasn’t arrived yet, sit tight and wait for a missed period. At that point a pregnancy test will be more accurate, with accuracy rates highest at one week after your missed period. If you have missed your period or have had a positive pregnancy test, give Alpha Center a call or chat with us to schedule an appointment. We often have same day or next day appointments.
Our caring staff will be with you each step of the way – and our care doesn’t end on day one. If you indicate that you have other pressing needs, we can connect you with our other programs or refer you to community resources that do. Our staff is here because we care about each one of our patients, and strive to provide an excellent experience for everyone.
Sources:
- Aspect Health How long can stress delay your period? Causes, symptoms, and when to worry (November 2025)
- Cleveland Clinic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (last updated February 2023)
- National Library of Medicine: Ectopic Pregnancy (last updated March 2025)
Authored by Kristen Long for Alpha Center and medically reviewed by Meghan Downing, Nurse Manager.
FAQ
How can I tell the difference between early pregnancy symptoms and PMS?
Early pregnancy and PMS symptoms—like nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue—feel incredibly similar because both are triggered by the hormone progesterone. The only definitive way to tell the difference is to wait for your period or take a medical-grade pregnancy test once your period is late.
When is the best time to take a pregnancy test for accurate results?
For the highest accuracy, you should take a pregnancy test one week after your missed period. While some tests can detect pregnancy sooner, waiting until your period is at least a few days late significantly reduces the chances of a false negative or confusing evaporation lines.
What should I do first if I have a positive home pregnancy test?
If your home test is positive, your first step should be medical verification. Schedule an appointment for a professional pregnancy test and a follow-up ultrasound. An ultrasound is necessary to confirm how far along you are, check if the pregnancy is viable, and rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
What medical information do I need before ordering the abortion pill?
Before choosing an abortion, you need to verify how far along you are (gestational age), confirm the pregnancy is viable and not ectopic (through ultrasound), and get tested for STIs. An active STI during an abortion significantly increases your risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Where can I get a free pregnancy test and ultrasound?
You can get a free, confidential pregnancy test and pre-abortion screening at Alpha Center if it has been four weeks since your last period and you have not established care with an OB. Our licensed nurses provide accurate testing, viability ultrasounds, and STI screenings at no cost and without insurance, giving you the unbiased medical information you need to make an informed decision.
What if my pregnancy test is negative but my period still doesn’t start?
If your test is negative but your period does not arrive within two weeks, you can come back for another pregnancy appointment.