Are you unexpectedly pregnant by someone who’s no longer in the picture? Maybe your partner is still in your life, but you don’t want or expect a romantic relationship to continue. If any part of you is considering keeping this pregnancy, you may be worried that single-parenting might affect your dating prospects down the road. Perhaps you’re concerned that single men would somehow feel intimidated by this. This fear might even be influencing your pregnancy decision-making process.
If finding the right significant other is important to you, that’s completely understandable. It’s important to most people! However, making significant decisions based on “what-if” fears isn’t always the healthiest approach. It’s vital to keep a calm and open-minded perspective as you consider your options. Avenue Women’s Center exists to help individuals facing circumstances like yours build strong foundations for confident pregnancy decisions. We equip women with tools like options education and free limited medical ultrasounds because we believe in the value of accurate, unbiased information.
Call, text, chat, or email to learn more! We welcome your questions!
Non-Traditional Relationships are Normal
While some people may have reservations about dating a single parent, statistics show that a significant number of people don’t. In fact, “multiple partner fertility” has become extremely common in our modern world. Multiple partner fertility (MPF) is when “a parent has biological children with more than one person” (U.S. Census Bureau). According to a 2021 study of 69.1 million opposite-sex, cohabitating couples in the U.S., 18.2% (12.6 million) included one case of MPF. In 3% of cases, both partners had one or more kids from other partners (U.S. Census Bureau). Single-parenting may come with unique challenges, but it’s not (and never has been) something to be ashamed of. Modern culture is becoming more and more accepting of single-parenting, “blended families,” and other non-traditional relationships and family structures.
A Solid Foundation
With any significant decision that you make in life, there will be “what-if” questions that trigger anxiety and sway your thinking. It’s better to choose a path based on what you know to be true rather than what you fear might happen. Make sure that you’re building your decision on a solid foundation. Carefully consider your values, beliefs, and genuine desires for this pregnancy. Ask yourself what’s the best outcome for you: abortion, adoption, or parenting? Processing the answer to this may take some time and soul-searching, and that’s okay. Know that, when this journey is behind you and you’re ready to put yourself out there, the right man will accept you (and your family, if you have one) exactly as you are.
If you need practical support or a listening ear in the wake of unexpected pregnancy news, Avenue Women’s Center is here for you. We’ve been providing free early pregnancy support to individuals from Chicagoland and beyond since 1981. We’re in your corner too! When you connect with us, we promise you’ll be met with genuine warmth, empathy, and respect for your autonomy.
Contact us today to schedule a free pregnancy test appointment. We also offer virtual consultations and accept walk-ins!
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Reference:
United States Census Bureau. (2023, August). Over One in Five Couples Who Live Together Have Children from Multiple Partners. Retrieved from: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/08/multiple-partners-multiple-children.html#:~:text=Married%20and%20Unmarried%20Couples%20and%20Multiple%20Partner%20Fertility&text=Similarly%2C%20married%20opposite%2Dsex%20couples,and%2022.4%25%2C%20respectively).
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.