If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, sharing the news with your family and partner may be one of the most daunting parts of the situation.
Everyone’s situation is different, but you are not alone! Read this article for some practical steps that can help you prepare to navigate this situation.
Gather the Facts
When you deliver the news, they will likely have questions such as how far along you are, what steps or health screenings you’ve already followed, and more.
You can’t be prepared to answer every question, and there is nothing wrong with not knowing, but there are some recommended steps you can take to help you prepare mentally for the conversation with your family and partner.
At Zoe, A Women’s Center, we offer free consultations to determine which of our no-cost services you may benefit from. These resources might include medical-grade pregnancy testing, and limited obstetric ultrasounds. If you have already taken a positive pregnancy test, we provide medical-quality pregnancy testing that will confirm those preliminary results.
You can also schedule a limited-obstetric ultrasound which can provide you with information such as the age and viability of the pregnancy. These two pieces of information can help you make a decision about what steps to take next.
This information will also be helpful when delivering the news since there will likely be follow-up questions.
Evaluate Their Possible Responses
While it’s helpful to take a test or an ultrasound prior to informing them, you’ll also want to mentally prepare by considering their different reactions. What is their pattern for reacting to surprising and possibly unwelcome news?
Are they loving and supportive or loud and reactive?
If there is any history of abuse, communicate the news over the phone, with a friend for support, or in a public place.
Regardless, understand that they may have a strong emotional reaction, so it may take some time for people to process the news before you can have a constructive conversation with them.
Make the Final Decision
Whether they are supportive or not, the final decision is yours, however, communicating and trying to understand how those in your support system feel is worth the effort. This pregnancy especially affects your partner, too, so try to align with them as much as possible. Keep the lines of communication open so that you, your family, and your partner can continue trying to understand each other better.
At Zoe, A Women’s Center, we offer no-cost options consultations with a compassionate advocate where you can receive evidence-based education and learn about the different options available to you in a safe and supportive environment. We are here to journey with you, so contact us today!
