Coming to terms with being pregnant can be easier said than done. Whether you were surprised by the results of your pregnancy test or simply disappointed, dealing with an unwanted pregnancy is going to be an emotional journey. Pregnancy, whether planned or not, is a life-changing event, and you will never be the same, no matter what you ultimately decide to do.
How to Accept an Unplanned Pregnancy
Coping with an unplanned pregnancy is a highly personal process. While this article can’t tell you exactly how to accept pregnancy in your specific circumstances, we have outlined some tips for coping with an unplanned pregnancy and moving forward with a decision you feel good about. To learn more about how to cope with unwanted pregnancy, you can contact an adoption specialist directly with Adoption Choices of Arizona any time for free support by calling or texting 1-480-900-5520.
Step 1: See a doctor to confirm your pregnancy and learn how to take care of yourself and your baby.
The first step when facing an unplanned pregnancy is to confirm that you are definitely pregnant. Once it’s confirmed that you are, it is important that you begin taking care of yourself and your baby as best you can, even if you don’t ultimately decide to parent your baby. While you are in the initial phases of wondering how to deal with an unplanned pregnancy, taking care of yourself is a healthy way to move forward in the coping process.
If possible, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider for your first pre-natal visit to be screened for any issues that could lead to complications. If you use alcohol or drugs, stop doing so, as this could harm your baby. You will want to begin watching what you eat and taking pre-natal supplements, be sure to get plenty of rest, and maintain a safe exercise regimen to help your body prepare for this journey.
Step 2: Take the time to come to terms with being pregnant.
Facing an unplanned pregnancy means facing all of the complicated emotions that come with it. Coping with an unplanned pregnancy will be a different process for everyone, but it is likely to involve a range of emotions. If you are feeling shock, anger, or depression, this is normal and to be expected.
Maybe you are scared to tell the baby’s father. Maybe you are afraid of what people will think. Maybe you thought you were being safe and are confused about how this could have happened. It is completely acceptable to acknowledge and process all of these thoughts and feelings. In fact, taking some time to work through these feelings will bring you much closer to ultimately accepting an unplanned pregnancy.
Even if you are sure you are ready to be a mom, it’s okay to be alarmed at the prospect of going through pregnancy and birth when you weren’t expecting to. These feelings may increase if you aren’t sure you wish to become a parent. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to how to deal with an unexpected pregnancy.
Step 3: Build a support system.
Facing pregnancy, especially when it is unplanned or even unwanted, can feel lonely. During this emotional time in your life, it’s important to have people in your corner. Your support system might be comprised of your child’s father, family members, or close friends. Anyone who will support your decisions as you move forward and work to help you in whatever ways you need can be an excellent person to have around when dealing with unplanned pregnancy.
However, it is important to remember that no one else can tell you how to deal with being pregnant or what choice to make for yourself and your baby. Should someone be unsupportive of your wishes, whether that’s the father of your baby, a parent, a sibling, or a friend, that person does not have to be involved with your decision-making process. You and you alone know what’s right for you and your baby; everyone else must respect your right to deal with an unwanted pregnancy as you see fit.
Step 4: Learn everything you can about your unplanned pregnancy options.
Once you start making progress in coming to terms with being pregnant and feel ready to sit down and make a decision about how to move forward, it’s important to research all three of your unplanned pregnancy options. Every pregnant woman ultimately has three: parenting, abortion and adoption. As you try to decide how to deal with your unwanted pregnancy, there are certain questions you should ask yourself about each.
- Parenting: Am I ready to become a mother? Can I financially afford to raise a child? Am I mentally prepared to provide my baby with everything he or she needs? Will I have help raising this child?
- Abortion: Is abortion really a “quick fix” to this problem? How much will it cost? Does my state have any laws that may make this choice more difficult?
- Adoption: How will I feel about another family raising my child? Will I get to see my baby again?
You can speak with doctors, options counselors, and even adoption professionals to learn more about each of your options and how to deal with your pregnancy in the way that’s best for you. You may find that, after working through how to accept being pregnant and overcoming the initial shock of your unplanned pregnancy, you are actually hopeful and excited about the opportunity to raise your baby.
Or, as you are researching your options and coping with unplanned pregnancy, you may find that adoption or abortion is a better way of dealing with your unwanted pregnancy right now. And that’s perfectly okay! Your choice is okay.
Step 5: Speak with a counselor about how to cope with being pregnant unexpectedly.
At Adoption Choices of Arizona, we offer counseling to pregnant women wondering how to deal with unplanned pregnancies. This is always an option for you if you want to speak with a licensed social worker about how to cope with an unexpected pregnancy, whether you ultimately end up choosing adoption or not.
A social worker can help you to process your emotions, determine which people in your life should be let in on your decision, learn more about each of your unplanned pregnancy options, and connect you with any and all resources to pursue adoption, in addition to simply providing a listening ear. Knowing how to accept an unplanned pregnancy isn’t easy, but it is the first step toward making the best possible decision for yourself and your pregnancy moving forward, and we are here to help. To learn more, please contact Adoption Choices of Arizona by calling or texting 1-480-900-5520.
