How To Accept An Unplanned Pregnancy

One of first emotions a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy feels is shock. That test can’t be right. I can’t be pregnant. This isn’t happening. But it is, and the first step to exploring your pregnancy options is accepting the pregnancy in the first place. This is difficult, but necessary. Here are tips to help you accept your unplanned pregnancy.

1. Breathe

Your life is not over; it’s just changed. Big changes are hard but not impossible to handle. You can do this. You have nine months before the baby comes. Take these months to process what you’re going through and decide what to do. You don’t have to decide all at once. For now, just take care of yourself and make decisions as you feel ready.

2. Don’t be ashamed

One of the worst things about unplanned pregnancy is the shame associated with it. Always remember that your baby is not shameful. Just because it wasn’t planned doesn’t mean it’s not something to celebrate! Maybe you’re not proud of the actions that led to your situation. But pregnancy, in and of itself, is not wrong.

3. Talk it out

You don’t have to do this alone. Pregnancy can be very overwhelming and hard to accept and process. If you don’t have family or friends you feel comfortable with, find a therapist who can help you with all the complicated emotions that come with finding out you’re pregnant unexpectedly.

4. Seek medical care

Not only is medical care a must for both you and the baby, it can also help you process the pregnancy emotionally. Sometimes, a positive, at-home pregnancy test isn’t very convincing—especially if you’re scared for it to be true. To make sure you really are pregnant, get a blood test. They never lie. Maybe reality won’t hit that you truly are pregnant until your first ultrasound. This is normal for many women, regardless of whether or not the pregnancy was planned. Watching the little bean shaped baby on the ultrasound monitor will be visual proof that this pregnancy is real. 

Pregnancy is not something that can simply be wished away. For the health and safety of all involved, it’s important to accept the pregnancy early on. The first step is the hardest and most important of all. Once you’ve accepted your unplanned pregnancy, you can begin the new journey life has in store for you.

There is no easy way out of an unplanned pregnancy. No matter what, there are tough decisions to be made. None of them are simple choices. They all come with consequences. There are only 3 options: adoption, parenting, and abortion. Study it out in your mind and heart before you decide what is best for you and your child.