As kids, so many of us planned out exactly what our lives were going to look like when we grew up. We knew what kind of car we wanted, where we wanted to live and with whom, what job we’d have, and – most importantly – how many kids we wanted (or didn’t want) to have. Although we dreamed, some of these things would never come to fruition, and some kids did not even dream in the first place. However, just because things are different from how we expected them to be, that doesn’t make them bad. Still, unplanned circumstances can be scary, regardless of the situation.
Did you dream of things that never came true? Or are things just not working out how you planned? Do you find yourself in a situation of an unplanned, unwanted, or unexpected pregnancy?
To all birth mothers struggling with an unexpected pregnancy – everything is going to be okay. Adoption Choices of Arizona is here to help. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you go through this journey.
Breathe. No matter if you’ve known about your pregnancy for months, or you just found out this morning, this is a vital first step. According to Healthline, a technique called Box Breathing is a way to “heighten performance and concentration while also being a powerful stress reliever” (Gotter, 2019). This is a breathing technique in which you breathe in through a slow count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold again for 4. Repeat the process until sufficiently de-stressed.
Also according to Healthline, a widely successful and helpful method of breathing for pregnancy is called Lamaze breathing. Scott Frothingham of Healthline outlines that “in the 1950s, [Fernand Lamaze] championed psychoprophylaxis, a method for preparing pregnant women with physical and psychological training. This includes conscious relaxation and controlled breathing as an alternative to drugs for the management of contraction pain during childbirth” (2019). Lamaze breathing enhances relaxation and can be used to maintain a rhythm, focus, and decrease the perception of any pain. Although this is widely used for labor, it can be helpful
Decide where you want to go from here. After claiming a level head, really sit down and think about where you’d like to go with your pregnancy. If this is unexpected or unwanted, it can be especially difficult to decide what your next process will look like. There are plenty of scenarios in which an unexpected pregnancy turns into a wanted and feasible pregnancy, and the birth mother can safely and securely keep the baby after childbirth. However, if this is not the case, don’t worry. Adoption is always a wonderful option for you and the baby, with a chance for the child to live a healthy, happy, and loved life with a supportive family.
Contact Adoption Choices. If you have decided to move forward with adoption, welcome to Adoption Choices of Arizona! Now sit back, relax, and realize that we have your back and will be a continuous partner with you throughout this process. Call us and we can help you with the following:
- Financial support
- Housing
- Medical care
- Transportation
- Free counseling
- Supportive environment
It is your choice ultimately what you want to do when faced with an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy. The most important thing to realize is that both you and the baby are important and have worth, and this is vital to remember when deciding what to do while going forward. Ultimately, Adoption Choices of Arizona can help you decide what will be the best course of action for you and the baby. It’s okay to feel lost – but you don’t have to. With Adoption Choices of Arizona, we will walk with you every step of the way.
