Regardless of how she feels about becoming a mother one day, the mere possibility that she may be unexpectedly pregnant can be tough for any woman to process. She’ll certainly be feeling an entire cocktail of different emotions all at once. That said, the idea of raising a little one of your own may seem exciting if you think you may be pregnant, but it can be positively terrifying as well, especially if you don’t feel financially or emotionally ready for motherhood. The following are just a few tips for handling things and making a decision that’s right for you.
1. Find Out for Sure
First thing’s first. Before you spend too much time and energy worrying about what you’ll do if you turn out to be pregnant, it’s important to actually find out for sure first. (Even very strong gut feelings can definitely turn out to be wrong, after all.) Home pregnancy tests are a good place to start. However, they aren’t always reliable or accurate, especially if you’re very newly pregnant, so you should follow up either way by making an appointment with your doctor or getting tested at a clinic to be absolutely certain. If money is an issue, know that you can get free pregnancy tests in Iowa, as well as further support and assistance if needed.
2. Research Your Options
Once a reliable pregnancy test confirms that you are indeed pregnant, you can start thinking about what to do next. Some women have already given this type of situation a lot of thought, and if that’s the case for you, you may already know what you want to do. However, there’s definitely no shame in not knowing. Unexpected pregnancies rarely come along at a time that’s actually convenient, so it’s understandable if you’re confused or unsure. Make sure you thoroughly research all of your options if you’re on the fence about how to proceed with the pregnancy. Whichever choice you settle on, there are resources out there that can help make things easier.
3. Talk to the Father
In most cases, a frank discussion with the potential father can be helpful if you’re on the fence about what to do, even if the two of you aren’t in a committed relationship. How does he feel about the idea of becoming a father? How involved would he want to be in the baby’s life, and is this something he feels ready for himself? Parenthood is a huge responsibility that has a lasting impact on a person’s life, even after the kids are grown up and on their own. If the father is part of your life, it’s definitely important that the two of you talk things through together. He could well turn out to be a source of support that will help you get through whatever’s coming next.
4. Seek Counseling If Necessary
Whether or not you decide you’re ready to be a mom or wish to proceed with your unplanned pregnancy, you may find that you still need some support and advice about how to cope once you’ve made your decision. Don’t be afraid to seek out the support and advice of a counselor if you feel you need to talk to someone. You can definitely hire a private therapist or counselor if you wish. However, don’t let a lack of funds or options stop you from seeking out support if you do feel you need it. Many pregnancy centers and clinics offer free or affordable counseling options for women who are dealing with the emotional impact an unplanned pregnancy and are unsure where to turn for guidance.
Although an unplanned pregnancy is definitely stressful, you can get through it. Take advantage of the resources available to see you through, including community resources, women’s clinics, and loved ones.