Every pregnancy comes with a rush of emotions – surprise, nervousness, excitement. But when you experience an unplanned pregnancy, you might also add “fear” or “helplessness” to that list. If you find out you’re pregnant unexpectedly, you need to know what to do next and how to find help. Keep reading for our tips on how to navigate this situation and find the resources and support you need. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and you live in Georgia, call ABC Women’s Clinic at 478-275-9500 to learn more about your options and how we can help.
Don’t Panic
The most important thing to remember when you find out you’re pregnant is also the simplest – don’t panic. It’s easy to start imagining terrible outcomes, but just take some deep breaths and do your best to stay calm. Remember that women and couples deal with unplanned pregnancy and parenting every day. You’re certainly not alone, and there will always be ways to get help.
Make Sure You’re Really Pregnant
You might be surprised to find out how many women start worrying about being pregnant before they’ve even taken a test. While a late or missed period is a common sign of being pregnant, it’s not foolproof. You need to take an accurate pregnancy test to ensure you’re really pregnant. At ABC Women’s Center, we offer free and confidential pregnancy tests to any woman who needs one. Schedule an appointment at one of our clinics today online.
See if the Pregnancy is Healthy
Once you know you’re really pregnant, you also need to make sure the pregnancy is healthy and viable. An ultrasound examination can tell you whether your pregnancy is healthy and if it is growing safely in your uterus. It can also tell you the estimated gestational age of your baby and your estimated due date. This information helps you plan ahead and tells you what pregnancy options are available to you.
Learn About & Consider Your Options
Not sure whether you’re ready to be a parent? You have a few different pregnancy options you can consider. Each one has its own upsides and downsides, so you need to research them all in order to make a fully informed decision.
- Parenting – Parenting is the most common choice, but if you aren’t in a stable life situation, it can be difficult.
- Adoption Placement – Many agencies work with birth mothers to provide care and living expenses during your pregnancy. You can also control how much contact you get with your baby after the adoption is complete.
- Abortion – Many women rush to consider abortion. However, you should be aware of the mental and physical side effects that abortion methods involve.
Consider What’s Holding You Back
Many women are scared when they find out they’re pregnant because they don’t think they’re ready to parent or have the means to support a child. In these cases, it can help to consider what you think is keeping you from being a good parent. That way, you can put effort into changing those things. For instance:
- If you’re worried about supporting a child financially, try planning out a monthly budget and seeing where you can save on your current expenses.
- If you feel like you can’t become a parent because of your school or work schedule, try looking into free or reduced-cost parenting help near you. There are a number of organizations and resources that can help you manage your schedule. If you need help finding one, we can provide you with some referrals.
- Think you’re not ready to become a parent just because it’s scary or you don’t have any experience? Remember that everyone feels that way at one time or another. You can always get support and learn about parenting skills from classes, groups, and online.
Get Support and Help
It’s natural to look for support and guidance when it comes to pregnancy. At ABC Women’s Clinic, you can get assistance with every part of your pregnancy, including free pregnancy testing, free limited obstetric ultrasounds, referrals for medical, insurance, and community support, and more. Call 478-275-9500 today to learn more or request an appointment online at one of our clinics. We’d love to meet with you.