Someone who’s considering abortion because she doesn’t want to be a teen mom is facing some truly challenging circumstances. When a teen experiences an unexpected pregnancy, she has her own unique challenges…in addition to hurdles that women of all ages may encounter. Maybe the title of this blog describes where your head is at today. If so, you’re probably scared. Scared of how this situation may impact your life in the short-term and long-term. Afraid of what your family and friends may think. Fearful that you don’t have the resources- practical or emotional- to cope. As overwhelming as your circumstances may feel, you’ve got the strength you need to make a pregnancy decision with confidence. And you don’t have to figure any of this out on your own.
This isn’t an easy time to be a teen. There’s probably never been, but teens today face some barriers that previous generations haven’t. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the global prevalence of young people facing “clinically elevated anxiety symptoms” almost doubled in the first year of the recent pandemic. And many other factors contribute to widespread feelings of worry and isolation among teens. So, if you’re a teen going through an unexpected pregnancy, you may be feeling overwhelmed in a way that’s difficult to even describe.
Avenue Women’s Center is here for you. We’re a first-step pregnancy center offering free services (like medical-grade pregnancy tests and options consultations) in Chicagoland, Illinois and beyond. It’s our mission to empower you with emotional support and resources, so you feel prepared to face this pregnancy decision and live your best life.
Learn more about Avenue Women’s Center!
A Balanced Perspective
As you’re thinking over your pregnancy options (abortion, adoption, and parenting), it’s natural to concentrate on the hurdles you may come across. However, keeping a balanced perspective may help you lean into your own best outcome. Every pregnancy option comes with its own set of challenges. It may be helpful to consider how those could play out and which paths are best avoided, but also which challenges you’d like to overcome. Finding a well-balanced point of view involves focusing on your unique strengths. Maybe you have great communication skills, or you’re a kind person, or you’ve overcome challenges with courage and perseverance in your past. You have your own unique blend of personality traits and life experiences that have shaped you into the person you are today. When faced with difficult circumstances, it’s important to identify and embrace those qualities. Doing so can remind you what you’re capable of, and maybe even clarify which path is right for you.
Before Moving Forward with Abortion or Another Pregnancy Option…
It’s important to have some first-step pregnancy services, like a limited medical ultrasound. An ultrasound can give you a surprising amount of information to help in the decision-making process. A scan can date the pregnancy to determine which abortion options you’re eligible for, as well as let you know about the possibility of miscarriage. It can also identify risks like ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy located outside the uterus), which is a high-risk situation requiring immediate medical attention. At Avenue, we provide limited medical ultrasounds for free!
Avenue also offers options consultations, where you can speak with an expert staff member to learn how your pregnancy options work and what’s involved. We’re here to help you connect with various forms of practical and emotional support so you can feel more prepared for your pregnancy decision. Equipping women (regardless of their age) to make informed choices from a position of strength is what we’re all about.
Considering All Your Options
Maybe your biggest fear right now is becoming a teen mom. Avenue Women’s Center is here to help you access all the support you need. Before making a pregnancy decision, learning about and considering all your options may help you get a clearer perspective as well. Women who consider parenting may feel more confident in that decision when they learn about the resources available to them. If neither parenting nor abortion feels like the right fit, maybe it’s time to consider adoption. Creating an adoption plan comes with unique challenges, just like any of your pregnancy options. But, for some women, it’s a positive decision they feel a sense of peace about. Modern adoption plans offer birth moms a lot of flexibility to choose the adoptive parents and maintain as much (or as little) contact as they feel comfortable with.
Chances are, the challenges you’ve already faced in life have made you a strong and resilient young woman. It’s possible to face this unexpected pregnancy with bravery, despite the anxiety you’re probably feeling. Our caring staff at Avenue Women’s Center would love to partner with you on that journey (wherever it leads)!
Schedule a visit at one of our six limited medical clinics! We offer a calm, comfortable, confidential environment for women of any age to receive support and consider their next steps. Virtual appointments are available too!
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.