An unexpected pregnancy can be very overwhelming under any circumstances. If you’re facing this situation as a teen, you’re probably dealing with a lot of unique obstacles. Maybe some of those challenges are causing you to feel torn between two very different pregnancy options: abortion and parenting. It’s common for women (and teens!) to get stuck between these choices, so you’re definitely not alone! Even though it’s not clear now, you can figure out your best way forward.
It’s only natural to feel confused and stressed right now. Our caring staff at Avenue Women’s Center gets it. We’re available to meet you where you’re at and give you what you need to make a decision. Avenue provides free and confidential first-step pregnancy services like medical-grade pregnancy tests and options consultations. Our goal is to help women of all ages access reliable information and find clarity before they decide.
Learn more about Avenue and contact us to ask questions! We’d love to be a part of your support network, no matter what you’re facing or which options you’re exploring.
You’ve Got This!
You have three main pregnancy options available to you: abortion, adoption, and parenting. The choice is fully in your hands. Perhaps knowing this helps you feel empowered (that’s great, if so!). At the same time, making a pregnancy decision can be an overwhelming responsibility. Maybe you don’t feel equipped to make a decision and face what follows due to your circumstances. Chances are, you’re not financially independent yet and you still have a lot of things you hope to accomplish. Hang in there! You’re stronger and more resilient than you realize. The truth is, you’re bound to face challenges on the road ahead, no matter which pregnancy option you choose. But you’re able to figure out what’s best for you and face the reality that follows.
Learning the Facts
Whenever you feel torn between two different possibilities, it can be helpful to start by gathering more information. Maybe you’re wondering what this would look like in the case of an unexpected pregnancy. You can start by getting the basic facts about abortion, parenting, and adoption. Learn the risks and processes involved with each. It can also help to find out what’s going on with your pregnancy. Depending on factors like how far along you are, there may be some abortion options that you’re not eligible for. If your pregnancy is outside of the uterus (an ectopic pregnancy), an abortion wouldn’t be effective, and you’d need to seek emergency medical support. Knowing this would allow you to protect your own health and safety. A pregnancy consultation and a limited medical ultrasound at Avenue can provide all of this information in a safe and confidential environment, at no cost.
Looking Within
As important as it is to look at the facts, your pregnancy decision also needs to come from the heart. Consider reflecting on questions like these:
- What are my strongest values and beliefs?
- What are my instincts telling me? (Instincts go deeper than initial reactions.)
- What emotions am I experiencing (beyond fear alone)? How do I feel when I think about my pregnancy and my different options?
- Are my answers to these questions pointing me toward a particular choice?
It usually takes time to process these questions, but they’re worth asking. People who are facing an unexpected pregnancy often have more time than they realize to make a decision (even when considering abortion). The abortion pill is FDA-approved through ten weeks of pregnancy, and surgical abortion options are available for longer. So, take a deep breath. You don’t have to decide right now. There are steps you can take in the meantime to help you feel sure when the time to decide does come.
It never hurts to get more information about your options and learn more about what you are thinking & feeling as well. Processing all of this with someone caring and trustworthy can be extremely valuable too. Consider confiding in a wise friend or family member, a professional counselor, or a mentor. Our expert pregnancy consultants and nurses at Avenue are here to partner with you in this journey too. We provide a safe space, free of pressure, and free of judgment.
Reach out to schedule an appointment! Our limited medical clinics are located in Darien, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois. We offer virtual consultations 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.