Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing is covered by the Harvard Student Health Plan and Harvard University Group Health Program (HUGHP). The urine pregnancy test used at HUHS is positive 10 days after conception.
If you don't know whether to continue or terminate the pregnancy, you are encouraged to discuss these concerns with your primary care clinician (PCP). If you don't know your primary care physician, please call HUHS at 617-495-5711.
Making Choices
We recognize that discovering you are pregnant may present you with complicated decisions and conflicting feelings. Pregnancy counseling is available at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) to discuss your options or to obtain referrals for additional support and information. Counseling sessions are intended to provide you an opportunity to explore your options and feelings regarding your pregnancy. Counselors can provide individual or family counseling and support during pregnancy and in the neonatal period.
We suggest you first contact your primary care provider, who can provide helpful information and resources, and refer you to Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) or Mental Health Services for further information and counseling services.
Continuing a Pregnancy
If you decide to continue your pregnancy, you will be referred to OB/GYN. You will be given a prescription for prenatal vitamins and counseled on proper nutrition and health maintenance during your pregnancy, such as safe use of prescription medications and over-the-counter products. You will also be screened for current and/or past use of tobacco, alcohol, and any other substances that might have an effect on your pregnancy.
Undergraduate students who have questions about non-health-related campus and community resources during pregnancy may contact the Director of the Harvard College Women's Center at 617.495.4292. The Director can provide unbiased, confidential support for students seeking information, services, and resources related to housing, financial aid, time away from campus, and other concerns.
Adoption is one option for those who continue a pregnancy. This decision does not need to be made immediately – usually one would begin the adoption process in the 20–24th week of pregnancy, although all agencies will work with a woman at any stage of her pregnancy, including postpartum. The OB/GYN service can provide assistance in contacting adoption agencies.
Terminating a Pregnancy
Should you decide to terminate your pregnancy, your clinician will discuss your options and listen to your concerns. A referral from a physician or nurse practitioner, and/or pregnancy counselor at HUHS, is necessary to receive coverage. The clinician will refer you to an appropriate facility depending upon your needs and chosen procedure. In addition, you will be given information about the procedure, how to schedule an appointment, and what you might anticipate both during and following the procedure. Pregnancy terminations are not performed at HUHS; however, follow-up care is provided at HUHS, usually two weeks after the procedure. For more detailed information, please visit When Your Decision is to End Your Pregnancy.