Editors: Katy Gioeli • Designer: Audrey Wu • All opinions are 100% our own. © Her Campus Media 2025
From late-night “is this normal?” texts in the group chat to honest convos about the future with your partner, planning your next step is personal — and it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Maybe you’re dreaming about baby names, while your bestie’s deciding that being childfree fits her vision for the future. Either way, there’s no right answer, and First Response is here to support your journey no matter how it pans out. Head to firstresponse.com to explore pregnancy test options and find the tools, tips, and info you need to take (and embrace) your next step.
Her Campus conducted an online survey with 334 respondents. Data was collected in April 2025 through May 2025 from Her Campus community members across the United States (representation from 39 states). Most respondents identified as women (98%) and were primarily between the ages of 18-24 (76%). Respondents were heterosexual (75%), bisexual (16%), pansexual (3%), queer (2%), lesbian (2%), asexual (0.6%), questioning (2%), or another sexual orientation (0.3%). Maintaining the privacy of our respondents is a top priority. Therefore, all names appearing in this article are pseudonyms.
Methodology
Plans change, and that’s totally okay. The best next step will always be the one that aligns with your values, goals, and vision for your future. Remember: It’s your life, so live it on your terms.
Whether a test is part of an “oops” moment or the first step in starting your family, knowing how to use one ahead of time can ease your nerves in a big way — especially when you choose an option that’s over 99% accurate when used as directed*, like First Response.
Conversations about sex, family planning, and reproductive health can feel awkward, especially in a new relationship. But these topics matter, and the more we talk about them, the more normalized (and helpful) they become.
Whether or not you want to have kids, laying out a plan for your reproductive health helps keep you in control. Start by finding the right contraception options, learning how fertility works, and researching different approaches to family planning.
Journaling is a great way to get real with yourself. Pick prompts that help you uncover your goals, your fears, and what you want your future to look like.
Stay True to you
Get familiar with pregnancy tests
Normalize the Convo
Make A Repro Health Game Plan
Journal It Out
Not Sure Where To Start? Try These Tips
of Gen Zers feel informed about
sex ed, fertility, and family planning
83%
Planning Your Next step
Understanding reproductive health (including sex education, fertility, and family planning) isn’t just for those starting families now. It’s key to making confident choices about your future, whether you’re mapping out your next year or decade.
For Gen Z, empowerment is all about the glow up — whether it’s building up their savings, working on their mental health, or crushing career goals. And guess what? Many of the things that contribute to Gen Z’s sense of self-empowerment are also what they want locked down before even thinking about having kids. It’s not just about checking boxes — it’s about owning their next step (whether that includes kids or not).
No wonder
they’re prioritizing themselves before stepping into their parenthood era.
Finances
Relationships
Career
Dream Job first, family later.
say they want to achieve job and/or career goals before having kids
32%
53%
The power in Priorities
18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
<1%
6%
64%
24%
5%
At What Age Would You Be Interested In Starting To Have Kids?
We Asked...
How many Gen Zers are interested in having or trying to have children of their own in the next 10 to 15 years?
When it comes to having kids, Gen Z isn’t ruling it out. 74% said they’re interested in starting or trying to start a family in the future, while 11% are still deciding. But for 14% of Gen Zers? Hard pass. Whatever their decision, it’s clear the next gen is thinking about their next gen.
Over Half
INCORRECT!
Less Than Half
Parenthood Era Loading...
The majority of Gen Zers (95%) don’t have children of their own…yet. But that doesn’t mean they’re not open to becoming parents in the future.
Big dreams. Bigger decisions. Here’s how Gen Z is mapping out what’s next:
The Future
Shop Now
Hold it Here
The Moment of Truth
Where the Magic (AKA Urine) Happens
The Overcap
Get to know your test and how to use it like a pro.
Anatomy Of A First Response Pregnancy Test
Frozen In The Femcare Aisle?
Gen Z’s Top Reasons For Choosing The Pregnancy Test They Used
You’re not the only one who’s gotten stuck staring at dozens of boxes with zero clue which to choose. Next time you’re shopping for a pregnancy test, here’s what helped other Gen Zers make the call:
26%
50%
63%
Online Research
25%
Test Claims
Price
In store availability
IYKYK. Once Gen Z finds a test they like, they’re sticking with it. 84% said they would choose the same brand again next time.
“I missed my period for more than 30 days. Me and my husband decided to take [a] test. I was so nervous and panicked at that time, but turned out [to be] pregnant. It was a joyful moment in our live[s].”
- Kara, 27
Gen Z On Their First Pregnancy Test Experience
have taken a pregnancy test before
60%
Passing the Pregnancy Test
Navigating an “oops” moment? Taking the first step towards family planning? Just checking in? No matter where you’re at in life, pregnancy tests can help you stay in control and make your next move with confidence. Let’s unpack the stories and stats behind how Gen Z approaches this family planning must-have.
Nearly all (97%)
agreed that people should have the right to access any form of contraception they may choose
31%
37%
45%
Oral contraceptives
Pulling out
condoms
Gen Z’s Top Contraception Choices
The contraception options Gen Z Is actually using
Pulling Up (And Out) With a plan
Of those who are in a relationship...
are married
are engaged
are in a casual relationship
are in a serious relationship
hard launch vibes only
5%
78%
8%
9%
Nearly two-thirds (63%) are currently in a romantic relationship.
Of those who are single...
are not currently interested in a romantic relationship
are looking for a romantic relationship
69%
31%
Single & (Maybe) Ready To Mingle
One-third (34%) are single.
How Gen Z Is DTR-ing
Dating lives, pregnancy test picks, and what’s in that nightstand drawer — before we look to what’s next, here’s how Gen Z is showing up right now.
The Present
Be so for real: Are you thinking about the future, or just living in the moment? Earlier this year, we broke down Gen Z’s thoughts, feelings, and habits around sex. This time, we’re taking it a step further, because what happens after the “wait…am I late?” moment matters, too. We asked hundreds of Gen Zers about how they’re planning (or not) for their next step, from their experiences with pregnancy tests to what they want to accomplish before deciding to have kids. And whether they’re dreaming of raising mini me’s or being the future fun aunt, one thing is clear — Gen Z’s next step will be on their own terms.
PRESENTED BY
How Gen Z Is Navigating The Future On Their Terms
My Next Step
of Gen Zers feel they have the freedom to make their own choices
Career
The content provided on this page is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
*FIRST RESPONSE™ Early Result and Digital Pregnancy Tests: >99% accurate at detecting typical pregnancy hormone levels from the day of your expected period. For Rapid Result Pregnancy Test: >99% accurate at detecting typical pregnancy hormone levels from the day of your missed period. Note that hormone levels vary.
Feeling secure in your wallet = feeling secure in your future.
Finances
57%
51%
say financial independence makes them feel empowered
Relationships
Hard launching where they're at before planning where they're going.
say supportive relationships are key to self-empowerment
51%
50%
say they want to settle their finances before having kids
say their relationship status has to be right (whatever that looks like) before having kids
“I was 19 and scared. It was an overwhelming mix of anxiety and uncertainty, and I remember just wanting clear answers quickly. Having a test that was easy to use and read made a really stressful moment feel a little more manageable."
- Maggie, 26
“My first pregnancy test-taking experience was a mix of nervousness and anticipation…I used an at-home test early in the morning, hoping to get the most accurate result. I followed the instructions carefully, double-checked everything, and just stared at the test while the result developed. When the line appeared, I felt a rush of emotion — mostly relief, but also a little overwhelmed. It was a moment I’ll never forget.”
- Tori, 21
“The first time I took a pregnancy test, my period was over two weeks late, and I was not trying to conceive, so I was really scared, anxious, and overwhelmed. I cried while I waited for the results to process, and texted one of my friends for emotional and moral support. I was relieved when the test came back negative.”
- Sierra, 29
“I don’t have particularly strong feelings about the experience either way. I took a pregnancy test because of irregular periods and some paranoia.”
- Nicole, 24
When it comes to having kids, Gen Z isn’t ruling it out. 74% said they’re interested in starting or trying to start a family in the future, while 11% are still deciding. But for 14% of Gen Zers? Hard pass. Whatever their decision, it’s clear the next gen is thinking about their next gen.
CORRECT!
Read the instructions carefully before you start, so you know exactly what to expect.
Check The Syllabus
Read your results within the time window listed in the instructions. Waiting too long can lead to inaccurate results.
Don't sleep on the results
Set a timer to make sure you wait long enough before checking your results. Peeking early could be a jumpscare you don’t need.
Time it right
While the test is doing its thing, avoid moving or touching it.
Hands off
89%
2
1
3
4
5
?
DTR= defining the relationship
When it comes to having kids, Gen Z isn’t ruling it out. 74% said they’re interested in starting or trying to start a family in the future, while 11% are still deciding. But for 14% of Gen Zers? Hard pass. Whatever their decision, it’s clear the next gen is thinking about their next gen.
CORRECT!
say they want to achieve job and/or career goals before haveing kids
say school, job, and career progress drive their sense of empowerment
1
2
3
pop quiz!
say school, job, and career progress drive their sense of empowerment
The pull-out method isn’t the most reliable form of birth control. Options like condoms, oral contraceptives, IUDs, or contraceptive implants are the most effective at preventing pregnancy.