Unplanned Pregnancy? Stay Calm and Take These Next Steps

An unplanned pregnancy can be a big surprise that can be accompanied by a wide range of emotions, including disbelief, fear, panic, and/or anger. Here are a few steps you can take immediately after unexpectedly finding out you’re pregnant.

You’re not alone.

First of all, you need to understand that you are not alone. About half of all pregnancies in the United States are not planned. That means there have been many other women in the exact same situation you are in. You can consider getting in touch with someone else who went through the experience who can share their story with you. Other people’s stories can be helpful and inspirational, so don’t hesitate to reach out for advice.

See a doctor.

Make an appointment with an OB/GYN. They will confirm the pregnancy and assess your health and the baby’s progress. Seeing a doctor is important since it can reduce the stress and the uncertainty of an unplanned pregnancy, plus it’s important to make sure you and the baby are healthy. This will also give you time to consider your options and come up with a plan so you don’t have to make quick decisions later. After the pregnancy is confirmed, you will need to stay calm and explore your options.

Find support.

Think about who you want to tell about the pregnancy. If you’re afraid to tell your family or friends, consider confiding in someone you trust, like a religious leader, therapist, counselor, health professional, or teacher. Maybe you don’t want to talk or get help, but remember that as long as you are putting off making a decision, you’re going to continue feeling unsure and anxious. After finding out about your pregnancy, you can take a few days for yourself to gather your thoughts, but after that, you will need to seek help and guidance.

Start a journal.

It is understandable that you feel lost, but those feelings are not going to last forever. Consider starting a journal where you can express your feelings and thoughts in writing. After you acknowledge these feelings, everything is going to feel easier. Try writing a list of all the pros and cons you can think of for each of your options. Give yourself time to reflect on what is important to you so you can get a better idea of what you really want to do.

You have options.

You have options, and adoption is one of them. There are many reasons why a woman might choose adoption. For example, she may not feel emotionally ready to be a parent, she is still in high school or college, she doesn’t have enough financial resources to raise a child, or she just doesn’t want to terminate the pregnancy. If any of those sounds like how you’re feeling, you may want to consider adoption. The staff at an adoption agency like ours can provide you with real support and guidance. Just remember that you should never feel forced to do anything that you do not want to do. Stay calm and explore your options thoroughly and with care. You are the only one who can make this decision.