You’ve seen the two lines and confirmed your pregnancy. If pregnancy wasn’t in your plans, you may be feeling a wave of emotions and wondering, “How do I deal with this?” It’s a big, life-changing moment, so allow yourself to take the time to process, accept, and get all the facts before you decide what to do next. We’re here to support you.
Here are four steps you can take to cope with an unplanned pregnancy:
Allow Yourself to Be Emotional
It’s stressful to find out you’re pregnant when you don’t want to be. You might be feeling fear, dread, and uncertainty about the future. It’s natural to be in shock and feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster. It could take you a few days to accept the situation and that’s ok. Give yourself time to process your feelings.
Take Your Time
It’s important not to make any quick decisions that you might regret later. Be careful not to allow fear to make your choices for you. It may help to record down how you’re feeling to review later. After a few days, when the initial shock has subsided, you can go back and see if your feelings about your pregnancy have changed.
Visualize The Different Options
There are three options for you to consider and evaluate: parenting, adoption, and abortion. Think about how you feel about each option, how you felt about them before you knew you were pregnant, and how you might feel about them in the future. Try to visualize the impact of each of these choices on your physical and mental health, and on your future.
Parenting
The idea of becoming a parent may seem overwhelming and impossible at first. However, many women who choose this option find the answers they need to parent a child and still pursue their life goals and dreams. You may feel like you’re in over your head right now and that’s normal for every new parent. You absolutely can do this; you’re so much more capable than you might think. We can assist you with emotional support, educational materials, as well as referrals for insurance, housing, support groups, and more.
Adoption
If you don’t think you’re ready to be a parent, adoption can be a way to turn a challenging situation into something beautiful. When making an adoption plan, there are several crucial things to consider. Will it be open or closed? Private or through an agency? Would you want to be involved in the child’s life? We can help you understand what these terms mean and refer you to trustworthy organizations that can walk you through the process of adoption.
Abortion
The decision to pursue abortion should be made after careful consideration and research. Remember that abortion is a medical procedure, and even “safe” non-surgical procedures carry certain risks to your physical and emotional health. You owe it to yourself to get all the facts so you can make an informed choice. Our Registered Nurses can explain to you the types of abortion methods and the possible complications that could arise from each of them.
Talk to someone who cares
Facing an unexpected pregnancy can be tough, even for the most resilient of people. There are many things to consider, like how it will affect your relationships and life goals, or what to do if the child’s father is not in the picture. It helps to speak with someone who cares and who can provide you with evidence-based information.
At the Pregnancy Help Center, you can discuss your situation with a Client Advocate who will listen to your feelings and concerns, and a Registered Nurse who will answer your medical questions. Our aim is to provide our clients an understanding, friendly, caring atmosphere, free from pressure or judgment. Make an appointment with us today, we’d love to chat with you!