Unplanned pregnancy – what should you do?

​You’ve just taken a pregnancy test and you’re stunned by the results – you’re pregnant, and you weren’t planning on it. Unplanned pregnancies happen all the time, but that doesn’t help lessen the shock and fear you’re hit with when it happens to you. You’re at the beginning of an emotional journey, and you’re not sure how to proceed. Pregnancy will change your life, whether you planned to be pregnant or not.

Talking to someone who knows what you’re going through will help more than anything, and we’re here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week – simply call us at 972-491-3333 and we’ll be there for you.

There isn’t a blog post or website in the world that can help you through the process – but we’ve put together this list of tips to help you come to terms with your pregnancy and move forward with the right decision for your future.

Step 1: See your doctor

Before you do anything else, you should see a doctor to confirm your pregnancy. Once you know for sure, it’s important to take care of yourself. Even if you aren’t sure what you’ll do, it’s important to keep yourself healthy while you’re working through your decision. Make sure you’re taking prenatal vitamins, that you’re eating a healthy diet, and you stop smoking or drinking.

Step 2: Take some time to mentally adjust

You’re going to ride a rollercoaster of complex and unexpected emotions, so preparing yourself mentally is important. The process is different for everyone, so take the time to work through your emotions as you decide your next steps.

It’s common to feel fear, confusion, anger, and even joy. Even with planned pregnancies, having a baby can be a scary and stressful time in your life. Again, talking to someone who knows what you’re going through can really help.

Step 3: Find a support system

An unwanted pregnancy can make you feel incredibly alone, so find someone (or multiple people) to help you through. Friends, family members, or the child’s father can all offer emotional support as you work through your emotions and settle on a decision about the baby. It’s your choice, but it’s incredibly helpful to have a team in your corner when you’re going through an unplanned pregnancy.

Step 4: Research your options

As you work through your emotions, you’ll need to make some important decisions about you and your baby’s futures. Ultimately, you’ll need to decide on one of three options: keeping and raising the baby, placing the baby for adoption, or abortion. There’s a wealth of information about all three options online and in books, and you can lean on your support system for insight as well. You can also call our team at Lifetree to talk through the options – we’ve helped hundreds of women understand the implications of each choice so they can make the best choice for their futures.

We’re always here to help – call us any time

We’ve helped hundreds of women through both planned and unplanned pregnancies, so we know what you’re going through. We can help you deal with the rollercoaster of emotions, help you figure out who your support team should be, and help you learn more about your options. Or, if you just need someone to talk to – or even a shoulder to cry on – we can be there for you. Call us any time, day or night, at 972-491-3333 – you’re not alone!