How can I tell "morning sickness" apart from the stomach flu or food poisoning?

If your vomiting is accompanied by any of the symptoms listed above and you have recently had sex, it may be morning sickness. If the vomiting is accompanied by cold like symptoms, high fever or aching muscles it is probably the flu. If the vomiting comes on quickly and is very violent (as if the body is trying to get rid of something in your stomach), and if it is gone within 48 hours, it may be food poisoning or a "24 hour flu." Morning sickness stays with you for weeks on end where the flu and food poisoning do not. If you feel significantly better after vomiting and if you vomit often with little warning it may be morning sickness. The best way to tell is to take an at home pregnancy test as soon as you think you have any symptom of pregnancy, including vomiting.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests?

Home pregnancy tests are very accurate when done correctly. In fact, many doctors will follow up a positive at home test with a pelvic exam and not bother with a laboratory blood test. The key to getting an accurate result is in carefully and properly following the instructions. If you need to be very sure, do more than one test of different brand names at the same time.

How can I know for sure that a girl is really pregnant?

You really have to trust the girl on this one. If you absolutely can't trust her, or if she has given you good reason to doubt her in the past, you could ask her to take a home pregnancy test in front of you. Be warned, all home pregnancy tests require a girl to urinate on a stick and it is not a pretty sight. She may not be willing to do this in front of you and you can't do anything to compel her to comply with your wishes. You were intimate with this person, which implies a degree of trust between the two of you, and at this point you should just take her on her word and be supportive. If you and she disagree on what to do about the pregnancy or if she seeks support once the child is born you are within your rights to ask for a test to establish paternity. For now, you need to take her one her word and decide what you are, and are not, prepared to do about the situation.

Next Page > FAQ's on Teen Pregnancy Part 5 > Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8