Tips & Support on How to Deal With an Unplanned Pregnancy

A positive pregnancy test can be a cause for joyous celebration. But an unintended pregnancy brings a wide range of emotions from bliss to anxiety.  

woman in bathroom looking at positive pregnancy test

Recognize and Embrace Your Emotions

Disbelief, regret, fear, anger, resentment, embarrassment, and even panic are not uncommon emotions in an unplanned pregnancy. While experiencing any number of these emotions is normal when the news first hits, the challenge is not letting them go unchecked. Once you fully accept that you are going to have a baby, you need to manage any and all of the emotions you may be feeling. This means being open and honest about your feelings with yourself and those you trust, such as your partner, a close friend, and family members. Depending on your circumstances, a counselor could also be beneficial. Addressing how you feel means reminding yourself that the emotions you are going through are all a part of a natural process. You are providing yourself a well-deserved opportunity to work through them. 

Understand the Frequency of Unplanned Pregnancies

Many women faced with a surprise pregnancy feel they are alone in their anxieties. The reality is that the percentage of unplanned pregnancies is nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States each year. This means that millions of mothers have already gone through the process of acceptance and you are not alone.

If a positive pregnancy test has left you, a friend, or a family member feeling overwhelmed, confused, and uncertain of what the future might hold, take heart and read on. You’ll find that there are several things you can do to help make your pregnancy a positive and fulfilling experience. Feel relieved in knowing that there are abortion alternatives that will leave you perfectly capable of carrying forward with a happy, and productive life at the end of your pregnancy. 

Please consider the following tips as words of encouragement for your unplanned pregnancy.

Build a Strong Support System

An unintended pregnancy can make a woman feel vulnerable to the judgments and criticisms of others. The decisions ahead are best made with a source of strength, advice, and unconditional love surrounding you. It’s critical to seek out caring and loving people. Make them part of a solid support system that will be there for you during your pregnancy and beyond. If you cannot find the support you need from family and friends, love and care waiting for you from qualified staff at local community centers, clinics, and adoption agencies. 

Let us help you handle and work through your emotions, so you can get the support you need soon. Pregnancy comes with immediate needs that shouldn’t be delayed.

The best thing you can do after a positive home pregnancy test is to visit a healthcare provider. A physician can offer sound advice on what you need to do now to make sure that you and your baby stay healthy during your pregnancy. If you smoke or drink alcohol, you should discontinue those habits immediately if possible. If you are currently taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications, you’ll need to consult with a doctor or pharmacist to make sure that it’s safe to continue taking them during your pregnancy.

Embrace Change

Managing an unplanned pregnancy is a life-changing event that calls for a change in perspective. Aspects of your life that were at the forefront before you received your pregnancy news need reevaluation. Some previous priorities might need to move onto the back burner. There are many resources to help you through this adjustment and you can find hope in the support available.

Accepting change and recognizing that being pregnant isn’t the end of hopes and dreams is important. It is the beginning of a new life for your baby and a new chapter in your life. This mindset will help to make your pregnancy a positive experience.

Explore Your Options and Envision Each Path

If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot keep your baby, several options are available to you. It’s important to remember that these decisions can be difficult, and it’s recommended to seek support from trusted individuals and professionals who can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances. Here are some options to consider:

  1. Adoption:

    Choosing adoption allows you to place your baby with a loving and stable family who can provide the care and support they need. There are different types of adoption, including open adoption (where you can maintain contact with the adoptive family) and closed adoption (where information is confidential and not shared). In adoption, a mother has control over choosing the family her baby goes to.
  2. Foster Care:

    If you are unable to care for your baby in the long term, you can consider placing them in foster care. In foster care, a state obtains custody of the baby and provides temporary care for children until a suitable permanent solution is found. Keep in mind that a mother does not have a choice or say in where her baby goes or how often she will get to see her baby. 
  3. Safe Haven Laws:

    In some countries or states, there are Safe Haven laws that allow you to surrender your baby at designated locations such as hospitals or fire stations without facing legal consequences. These laws ensure the safety of newborns and provide them with immediate care.
  4. Parenting Support:

    If you are considering parenting but feel overwhelmed, resources are available to provide support. Parenting classes, counseling services, and community organizations can offer guidance, education, and assistance with parenting skills, financial support, and other resources.
  5. Abortion:

    Abortion is the termination of your pregnancy. Many states now have strict abortion laws that make this option unavailable for women. Some women may have personal, religious, or moral beliefs that consider abortion to be morally wrong or against their values. These beliefs may guide their decision to continue with the pregnancy. In some cases, a woman may receive medical advice that continuing the pregnancy is the safest option for her health or the health of the fetus. This could be due to pre-existing medical conditions, complications, or risks associated with the abortion procedure.

Remember, your decision on this path is deeply personal, and it’s crucial to consider what is best for you and your baby. It’s recommended to consult with professionals, such as social workers, adoption agencies, or healthcare providers, who can provide more specific information and support based on your individual circumstances.

Consider Adoption

Adoption is the option that provides the most support to a pregnant woman while still allowing her to have a relationship with her child and a choice in her child’s future. An adoption agency like A Guardian Angel Adoptions offers free housing, counseling, financial aid, medical and legal services, as well as continuing education opportunities. 

Perhaps your situation just isn’t conducive to becoming a mother for life. If this is the case, you need to realize that within you is a wonderful gift — a gift that can make an infertile couple’s dreams of having a child and being a family become a joyous reality. 

Choosing adoption is not giving up. It’s not the end of anything. It’s the beginning of a wonderful lifelong relationship between you, as the birth mother, your child, and loving and caring adoptive parents. 

To learn more about whether or not your unplanned pregnancy might make you want to consider adoption, please contact us at our toll-free number 877-74-ANGEL.