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Health Department - Family Planning

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1. Are there any drugs that I can take to prevent me from getting pregnant?

Emergency Contraception is available for up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. If you plan to remain sexually active, please contact Wilkes County Health Department to schedule an appointment in our Family Planning Clinic to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

2. Can teens receive birth control without their parent's knowledge?

When insurance is billed, the insurance company sends a statement to the individual that has the insurance. If you are a teenager, you may be seen confidentially in our Family Planning Clinic. If you don’t have insurance or adequate income to pay for birth control pills, they may be provided at no cost to you. For specific questions and to schedule an appointment, call 336-651-7450.

3. Can you get pregnant during or right after your period?

Yes, you can. So, if you’re not actively trying to get pregnant, it’s always safer to use reliable contraception when you have sex, no matter when it is during your cycle. Ovulation occurs around the middle of a woman’s cycle – specifically, in the middle third. If you have a 28-day cycle, for example, then you usually ovulate on the 14th day, counting the first day of your period as the first day of your cycle.

If your period lasts seven or eight days, by the time you finish menstruating you’re only five or six days away from ovulating. If you consider that sperm can live in the fallopian tube for two or three days, then you have a narrow window in which you could get pregnant if you ovulated a little earlier than normal.

The best way to prevent an unplanned pregnancy is to use a reliable form of birth control. For more information on birth control options, please contact Wilkes County Health Department at 336-651-7450 to schedule an appointment in our Family Planning Clinic.

4. Does the Health Clinic provide abortions?

No.

5. How effective are oral contraceptives?

The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). The latex male condom provides the best protection from most STDs. For information on how effective birth control methods are, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

6. Is the birth control pill free of charge without insurance? Do you need a pelvic exam/ Pap smear for get prescribed for the pill?

If you are a patient in the Family Planning Clinic and don’t have insurance, your birth control pills may be provided at no cost to you depending on your income. For specific questions and to schedule an appointment, call 336-651-7450.

7. I think I might be pregnant. What should I do?

Either complete a home pregnancy test or schedule an appointment with Wilkes County Health Department for a pregnancy test. If you plan to remain sexually active and to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, schedule an appointment to be seen in our Family Planning Clinic. The number to call is 336-651-7450.

8. Is the pregnancy test free?

There is a charge of $15 for a pregnancy test. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a pregnancy test please call 336-651-4550.

9. I had unprotected sexual intercourse 6 days ago. Are there any drugs that I can take to prevent me from getting pregnant?

Emergency contraception is only effective up to 3 days after unprotected sex. If you think you might be pregnant please contact your primary care physician or call our office at 336-651-7450 to set up an appointment with our family planning nurse.

10. Has the state of North Carolina passed a law regarding babies born with drug dependency?

For any concerns that you may have about the well-being of a child, please contact Department of Social Services at 336-651-7400.

11. Does the Health Department do paternity testing?

No, the Health Department does not provide paternity testing.

12. How much is the depo birth control shot?

This shot would be free of charge. If you have any other questions, please feel free to call us at 336-651-7450.

13. How do you get herpes?

You can get herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the disease. Herpes is spread through skin to skin contact. Fluids found in a herpes sore carry the virus, and contact with those fluids can cause infection.

You can also get herpes from an infected sex partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is infected because the virus can be released through your skin and spread the infection to your sex partner.The only way to avoid Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If you are sexually active, you can lower your chances of getting herpes by being in a long-term monogamous relationship with someone who has been tested for STDs and has tested negative for STDs, and by using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex. Herpes symptoms can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered by a latex condom. However, outbreaks can also occur in areas that are not covered by a condom so condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes.

Most people who have herpes have no, or very mild symptoms. You may not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair. You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD, such as an unusual

14. My period is abnormal. What do I do?

If you have any symptoms such as increased pain or new problems with your period, please schedule an appointment to be seen with your family doctor. If you are sexually active, you may need to complete a home pregnancy test or have a pregnancy test at the Health Department.

15. What do you do if you want to have an abortion? Is there an abortion pill offered?

You should contact your family doctor to discuss your options. We do not offer these services at the health department. You can also contact any of the following termination clinics for more information.

Planned Parenthood
3000 Maplewood Avenue
Suite 112
Winston Salem, NC 27103
Phone: 336-768-2980

A Preferred Woman’s Health Center
1604 Jones Franklin Road
Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: 888-562-7415

A Woman’s Choice of Greensboro
201 E Pomona Drive
Greensboro, NC 27407
Phone: 336-632-9999

16. Does the health department still give out pregnancy information and books?

We no longer provide prenatal care here. You may want to check with our local library.

17. How do I make a dental dam?

For information on dental dams, please visit The Naked Truth website.

18. Are there free mammograms available to women in Wilkes County?

The Wilkes County Health Department (WCHD) has 2 programs that women and men may get free mammograms that qualify. For information on qualifying for a free mammogram you may contact the WCHD at 336-651-7450.

19. If you’re under age 18 can you get free birth control?

You should call 336-651-7450 and make an appointment for a Family Planning Enrollment visit. At that visit the provider will discuss birth control options with you and decide which method is best for you. A parent does not have to accompany you but we do encourage parental involvement.

20. If you are pregnant without knowing and you continue to take your prescription birth control, will you lose your baby?

Increased hormone levels from the birth control pill could cause birth defects or loss of pregnancy. If you have a missed a period, it is a good idea to take a pregnancy test to ensure that you are or are not pregnant.

21. What is your Maternal Nurse and what does she do?

We have Pregnancy Care Managers who are either Social Workers or Nurses. The Pregnancy Care Managers work with the patient’s OB doctor to help manage the care of the patient while she is pregnant. Their job is to assist the patient during the pregnancy to meet the patient’s needs and goals. These staff can help with community resources if needed. The ultimate goal is to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy birth delivery.

The Postpartum/Newborn nurse is a part of the Welcome Baby Program through the Health Department. It is a free service offered to all new mothers and babies. What the Postpartum/Newborn nurse does is schedule a one time home visit with the new mother and child. They assess both mother and baby, provide education, and detect possible problems early. They also provide education about normal newborn characteristics, feeding issues, and community resources as needed. Certified North Carolina Lactation Educators can assist mother with breastfeeding and any issues that may be occurring.

For more information on either program please call 336-651-7450.

22. I am pregnant and under the age of 18. Should I apply for Medicaid now or wait until I am 18?

You can either go now or wait until you are 18 years old, it does not matter, to sign up for Medicaid. The type of Medicaid that you would receive does not end until you are 19 years old. Medicaid will cover you through your pregnancy. However you must go to the Department of Social Services (DSS) to sign up for Medicaid. DSS will want proof of your pregnancy, so you can get that from the Crisis Center, and take it with you when you go to apply for Medicaid. For more information, please contact DSS at 336-651-7400.

23. Are the condoms you give as good as the name brand condoms like Trojan?

Yes. The brand of condoms that we provide here at the Health Department, Lifestyles, are a name brand and as good as any other brand that you can purchase at a pharmacy. Condom manufacturers quality test their product to make sure they meet industry standards before they arrive on the shelf. In addition to the manufactures testing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration performs routine Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections.

24. How long should I wait to take a pregnancy test?

In order to be tested at the Wilkes County Health Department, a woman’s menstrual period must be at least seven days overdue/late. Some tests will pick up the pregnancy a few days before a period is due, but it’s always best to wait until a menses is missed.

25. Do you offer the Plan B pill?

Yes. Call the Health Department at 336-651-7450 to make an appointment for emergency contraception. With emergency contraception, you must take the pill within 72 hours (3 days) of failure of your regular form of birth control or after having unprotected sex.

26. Is there any help offered to uninsured women who are due for a mammogram?

There are two programs that the Health Department participates in that could offer assistance if you need a mammogram, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure NC Triad.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) is a federal program North Carolina takes part in so that we can offer breast and cervical cancer screening, education and prevention at extremely low costs. One of our main goals is to allow women who do not qualify under other state and federal programs to be screened for breast and cervical cancers. Through the BCCCP Program, women are eligible for reduced/ no cost exams if they are:
- Age 50-64
- Not covered by Medicaid or Medicare Part B
- Have little or no insurance to cover breast and cervical screenings
- Meet household income guidelines. Income guidelines can change every year.
Payment is determined by a sliding fee scale according to family size and family income. Other services may cost extra. Be sure to call ahead if you are interested in the program.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure NC Triad is a grant funded program that the health department applies for each year. Through the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure NC Triad, women are eligible for mammograms at a reduced/ no cost exams if they are:
- Age 35-64
- Not covered by Medicaid or Medicare Part B
- Have little or no insurance to cover breast screenings
- Meet household income guidelines.

For more information on the BCCCP program or the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure NC Triad program please call the Health Department at 336-651-7450.

27. Does the Health Department offer the abortion pill?

The Morning-After Pill or Plan B Pill is often referred to as the abortion pill. The Morning-After Pill or Plan B Pill is not the same as RU-486, which is an abortion pill. It does not cause a miscarriage or abortion. In other words, it does not stop development of a fetus once the fertilized egg implants in your uterus. So it will not work if you are already pregnant when you take it.

The Health Department does provide the Morning-After Pill or Plan B Pill. Call the Health Department at 336-651-7450 to make an appointment for emergency contraception. With emergency contraception, you must take the pill within 72 hours (3 days) of failure of your regular form of birth control or after having unprotected sex.

For more information regarding The Morning-After Pill or Plan B Pill please contact your doctor or you can visit the Planned Parenthood website.

28. Can you have your period or bleed while you are pregnant?

Uterine bleeding somewhat suggestive of the menstrual period occurs occasionally after conception. One or two episodes of bloody discharge, somewhat suggestive of and sometimes interpreted as menstruation, are not uncommon during the first half of a pregnancy. Almost always such bleeding is short and scant. If at anytime during your pregnancy you have any questions or concerns to be sure that you contact your OB/GYN.

29. What are good websites for accurate sexual health information?

There are a number of different websites or resources for accurate sexual health information. View a list of online resources.

30. Can you get intracytoplasmic sperm injection for infertility at the Wilkes Health Department?

We do not offer this service at Wilkes County Health Department.