While you didn’t mean for it to happen, you think you might be pregnant. That’s a lot to take in, especially if you’re young or not in a committed relationship. Before you rush to any decision, take a deep breath and use through the steps below. Working through a plan will reduce your anxiety and help keep things in perspective.
Step 1: Get a Medical Pregnancy Test
Even if you already took a home pregnancy test, you should know they can sometimes give inaccurate results – both that you are pregnant and that you’re not. The best way to know for sure is to get a medical pregnancy test from a healthcare professional. A positive medical pregnancy test result should then lead your healthcare provider to administer an obstetrical ultrasound to confirm that test result and to ensure that the pregnancy is viable.
Step 2: Talk with People Who Care About You
We all need support sometimes, especially when coming to terms with an unplanned pregnancy. Don’t try to deal with the feelings, decisions and impacts all on your own. While it can be challenging to share the news with the baby’s father, your own parents or even friends, if those relationships are based in love and respect, you may be surprised how supportive they are. You may also find it helpful to talk to someone with a different perspective and experience to share, like a pregnancy options counselor.
Step 3: Take Care of Your Body and Your Baby
Your body is now the home for your growing baby, as such, the choices you make, including everything you put into your body, can impact your baby’s short-term and long-term health. For yourself and your baby, you should immediately quit any tobacco, alcohol or drug use. For many women, that’s easier said than done. Thankfully, there are several community programs available to help women quit. You should also get specialized prenatal (meaning pre-birth) medical care to monitor your ongoing health and your baby’s progress.
Step 4: Consider Your Pregnancy Options
Don’t make a snap judgment about your baby’s future. Take time to explore all the pregnancy options available to you. You may find you have some misconceptions about certain options or that you haven’t fully weighed all the pros and cons. With so much to consider, abortion, adoption and raising the baby can all seem like the right idea and the wrong idea at the same time. Talk with someone who can help you fully understand the realities of your pregnancy options. An unbiased pregnancy counselor can answer questions, offer insight and connect you with resources to make your choice possible.
Step 5: Set Your Path
Equipped with the right information and the necessary support system, you’re ready to take steps to give you and your baby a hopeful tomorrow. Create a plan for how you will implement your chosen pregnancy option, who should be involved and what resources you need. A pregnancy center like Sira in Gainesville offers a wide variety of services that could benefit you at every step of the process. At Sira, you’ll find compassionate assistance, or as we like to say, “help for today, hope for tomorrow.”
Contact Sira in Gainesville today at 352-377-4947.
