Do you suspect that you might be pregnant? If so, and it’s your first time, you may feel very confused at the moment and unsure of what the next step is. However, you’re not alone. As many as half of all women experience an unplanned pregnancy before the age of 45. Fortunately, there are many places throughout the United States where you can receive the help you need and get essential information on pregnancy, too.

If you suspect you may be pregnant, use this handy guide to determine which steps you should take next.

1. Check your symptoms. If you think you may be pregnant, you should be able to spot some of the early warning signs of pregnancy. Early pregnancy signs and symptoms may appear remarkably similar to PMS and include cramps, bloating, irritability, and other signs that may feel like PMS. However, there is one tell-tale sign that you may be pregnant: a missed period.

2. Take a test. If you suspect you may be pregnant and your period is late, you should take a pregnancy test to find out. If you are unable to buy one in your local drug store, you can also visit a free pregnancy help center for one of their free pregnancy tests. While testing after a missed period may be more accurate, some tests will also detect a pregnancy up to four or five days before you miss your period.

3. Get the services you need. Once you’ve received a positive result on a pregnancy test, you’ll have a lot of decisions to make regarding your health care. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what you need to do once you discover that you are pregnant. There are also low-cost or free pregnancy help centers out there that can perform some basic procedures, such as ultrasounds, for you.

Have more questions about what to do if you might be pregnant or where to get free pregnancy tests and information? Leave a comment below.