Dealing With Unplanned Pregnancy
When you discover you’re unexpectedly pregnant, it can feel like you’re on a runaway train. Your emotions are high, and you feel out of control. Take a deep breath, and let’s talk about dealing with an unexpected pregnancy.
Take One Step at a Time
It’s too overwhelming to try to think about every scenario at once. You need to make one of the most important decisions of your life, and more pressure won’t benefit you. Slow down, and take one step at a time.
Get Professional Support
Your first step is to make an appointment at a clinic with experienced medical professionals who know how to; and can help in dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
First, the medical staff will confirm whether or not you have a viable pregnancy. This begins with a urine pregnancy test. If your pregnancy test is positive, the team will perform an ultrasound to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy, and if your pregnancy is viable.
It’s important to know far along you are in your pregnancy, particularly if you are considering abortion because different abortion procedures are available for different stages of pregnancy.
According to March of Dimes, up to fifty percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, so it’s also essential to know if your pregnancy is viable, so you don’t endure an unnecessary abortion.
After your pregnancy is confirmed, a trained professional counselor will help you thoroughly examine your pregnancy options: parenting, adoption, and abortion. To get unbiased information, choose a clinic that won’t benefit financially from any of your decisions. In other words, don’t review your pregnancy options with a counselor at a clinic that makes income performing abortions or from adoption or parenting programs.
It’s natural to get advice from your family and friends. Keep in mind that it’s often difficult for loved ones to provide unbiased advice. Keep in mind also that you are the one who will live with your decision, so gather the facts you need to empower yourself to make a confident decision and trust your gut.
Examine Your Options
ThriVe St. Louis provides experienced options counselors who will walk with you step by step and answer all of your questions, so you feel confident making an informed decision about your pregnancy.
Parenting
Parenting is the choice to continue your pregnancy and raise your child. Thrive provides pregnancy verification for WIC and Medicaid applications, community resources and referrals, and parenting classes – all at no cost to you.
Remember that choosing to parent is a decision that is separate from your relationship with your partner. An unexpected pregnancy shouldn’t lead to a marriage you aren’t ready for.
Adoption
If you’re not comfortable with abortion, but you also know you’re not ready to be a parent, adoption could be the right choice for you. The birth parent chooses if the adoption is open, closed, or a combination. You can also meet and select the adoptive family who will raise your child.
Abortion
Abortion is ending the pregnancy. Depending on your health and stage of pregnancy, medical and surgical abortions are available options. An STI test will be performed before an abortion to prevent a post-abortion infection.
Get Support Dealing With Your Unexpected Pregnancy
You are stronger than you feel, and you can drive the runaway train of an unplanned pregnancy. You are in control of your choices and your future. ThriVe St. Louis is here to walk with you each step of the journey. Call us today for an appointment.
