Summer is finally here! This is welcome news for most of us. Who doesn’t love soaking up the sun attending a summer concert or relaxing by the poolside? However, for many of us, wearing fewer layers to beat the heat can trigger a heightened awareness of our own bodies. If you want to feel confident in a swimsuit this summer, that’s only natural. It’s important for every woman to feel beautiful and comfortable in her own skin – free of shame, just as she is. But perhaps you feel pressure to stay in shape for more unique reasons.
Does your livelihood depend on looking or performing a certain way? Maybe you’re applying for a sports scholarship, working as a professional athlete, or pursuing a modeling career. Perhaps you’re struggling with mental health concerns around the issue of body image. To someone in any of these positions, the idea of undergoing physical changes due to an unexpected pregnancy may feel especially terrifying.
An unexpected pregnancy is scary enough to manage without the particular challenges that you’re facing right now. Avenue Women’s Center is here to meet you in that difficult space with unconditional support. We aim to help you make your own best pregnancy decision for abortion, adoption, or parenting from a strong and healthy foundation. Our free and confidential services include medical-grade pregnancy tests, options consultations, and limited medical ultrasounds.
Learn more about Avenue and reach out to schedule an appointment! We’ve been walking beside women facing circumstances similar to yours for over 40 years! We’re in your corner too.
A Difficult Place to Find Yourself
If you’re considering abortion because you’re afraid of how changes to your body might affect your career, you’re truly in a challenging position. It’s inexcusable that pregnancy discrimination still exists in our society and sometimes gets swept under the rug, especially in professions that expect women to maintain a certain body shape. People who struggle with mental health conditions like eating disorders deal with their own set of challenges around self-image. For them, the pressure to stay “in shape” may be more internal than external, but it can feel just as scary and powerful (or more so). No matter what difficulties you’re facing, know this: You have what it takes to make a pregnancy decision that’s grounded in knowledge and confidence, rather than fear.
Knowledge, Support, and Self-Advocacy
It’s critical for any person who’s facing an unexpected pregnancy to process her feelings with someone caring and trustworthy. If part of you wants to continue the pregnancy, but you’re afraid this would impact your career or another important venture, try not to jump to conclusions about how your organization would respond. Go to someone you trust and respect within your company. Get to know your team’s anti-discrimination policies and procedures. Advocate for yourself. And if your program is connected in any way with a school or college, learn about your rights under Title IX. Whether or not you’re met with resistance, know that you’re not alone. Many brave women have gone before you and found success, both in their pregnancy outcomes and their most important pursuits.
A Healthy Relationship with Your Body
As you navigate your next steps in your pregnancy journey, for however long it continues, it’s important to care for your physical and emotional needs. The OASH Office on Women’s Health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) offers a number of valuable tips to help women maintain healthy relationships with their bodies during pregnancy. Here are just a few!
- “Focus on the positive work your body is doing.” “Positive” probably doesn’t seem like the right word to describe the changes your body is going through. However, these changes – as uncomfortable and inconvenient as they may be – are part of a very normal and natural process.
- “Express your feelings.” No matter which option you’re leaning towards, it’s critical to confide in someone who will listen to you, support you, and provide honest feedback while respecting your autonomy. As the OASH Office on Women’s Health points out, it’s important to seek care from a mental health professional if you need it.
- “Get regular physical activity.” OASH Office on Women’s Health recommends light exercise and activities like prenatal yoga or massage (if your doctor gives the, “okay”).
- “Learn as much as you can about pregnancy.” This will help you feel equipped and well-informed. Avenue Women’s Center provides free pregnancy consultations (to learn the processes and risks involved with all your options) and limited medical ultrasounds (to get key information about your unique pregnancy) for this very purpose.
A Temporary Condition
Remember that this pregnancy is a temporary condition, whether you choose to end or continue it. It’s completely possible to stay physically fit for as long as this journey continues, even though your body’s appearance will eventually change. OASH Office on Women’s Health points out that each person’s body responds differently post-birth. Some women experience lasting changes. However, steps can be taken to reduce these effects and even return to a pre-pregnancy shape. Breastfeeding, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising are all effective ways to accomplish this.
*For more information on how pregnancy impacts the body, check out our blog, “Unexpectedly Pregnant and Trying to Adjust to the Changes in My Body”.
A decision for abortion, adoption, or parenting is within your capable hands. Making this choice for the right reasons will allow you to feel confident in your path and look back on your decision with peace of mind. Unfortunately, external pressure and internal fear are realities that almost everyone in your situation has to face. But these shouldn’t hold power over your decision. It’s better to make a well-rounded choice that’s grounded in your values, beliefs, and genuine desires. Sticking by these will lead to greater satisfaction in all areas of your life, including your work. Avenue Women’s Center is available to meet you with unconditional support and full respect for your autonomy as you figure this out one step at a time.
Reach out to Avenue Women’s Center today! We offer no-cost pregnancy services at 5 limited medical clinics in Chicagoland, Illinois.
References:
U.S. Department of Education. (2025, January). Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At School. Retrieved from: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/sex-discrimination/know-your-rights-pregnant-or-parenting-title-ix-protects-you-from-discrimination-at-school
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (OASH Office on Women’s Health). (2021, February). Pregnancy and body image. Retrieved from: https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/body-image-and-mental-health/pregnancy-and-body-image
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.