You thought your relationship was headed in a good direction. Then you found out your partner cheated on you. Your whole world can feel like it’s flipping upside down, especially if you’re pregnant. You were going to continue the pregnancy, but now you’re thinking about abortion. How do you move forward in a pregnancy decision after he cheated?
If you’re suddenly feeling alone in your pregnancy decision, find support at Avenue Women’s Center. With nearly 40 years of experience, we understand that each woman faces different challenges as she decides. Our free pregnancy consultations offer the opportunity to address your personal concerns and learn more about your options, including abortion. We listen with nonjudgmental compassion and provide accurate pregnancy option information to help you take the first steps of your decision. Contact us to set up your appointment at one of our six Chicagoland locations!
He Cheated …
A lot of strong emotions can come when you learn your partner cheated on you. You feel betrayed, your trust completely broken. You may begin to question what else he may have lied about, or all the times he lied while cheating. Even if he cheated one time, that’s all it takes to cause hurt and damage a relationship. You could feel sadness, insecurity, anger, frustration, and despair. How do you deal with all these emotions on top of being pregnant?
First, you breathe through it, which is often far easier to say than do. Coping strategies can come in all different forms for different people. In the height of your feelings, what could be some ways to find calm? You might turn to meditation, yoga, a walk for fresh air, artistic or crafty hobbies, reading, writing, etc. Taking your own time to calm down is essential to self-care and healing. With or without him, you’ll still have you—and your mental and physical well-being matter.
Next, avoid making any rash or snap decisions. Our emotions can have a way of impacting actions, sometimes without us realizing just how much. After finding out he cheated, a whirlwind of feelings could be driving your pregnancy decision. Take a step back and let yourself process everything before you decide if an abortion is right for you.
Now I’m Thinking About Abortion
It’s important to keep in mind that no matter what happened in the relationship, cheating was a decision he made on his own. But now you also have a decision to make, and you might not be feeling as certain about it as you did before. You were going to parent together, but without him abortion became an option.
Regardless of whether you work things out with your partner or break things off, this decision will affect you most. The predominant weight of the decision lies in your thoughts, your feelings, and what seems best to you. It should be free of outside pressures, or any pressures that might come up with difficult circumstances. Challenging times pass, even when it’s hard to get through them in the moment. When you look back at this pregnancy decision, it needs to be a choice you feel good about making—no matter what option you choose. As you move forward and find healing, ask yourself a few questions to help you also move forward in your pregnancy decision …
- Was abortion one of your options before he cheated? Why or why not?
- If your relationship continues in the future with rebuilding of trust and working on your issues, would you still consider abortion as your best option?
- How might parenting work if you are separated and the relationship ends? In what ways could you start planning ahead to set up a co-parenting plan?
- Where might you find other support systems, resources, or assistance without your partner involved in parenting?
- What information about abortion would be helpful to know as you decide? What are the potential risks or side effects involved?
- How might you feel after having an abortion if parenting was your first option? What are some ways you could handle any tough emotions that could arise?
You might have many more questions about your pregnancy decision after learning that your partner cheated. Avenue Women’s Center is here to be a supportive help as you think through your options. Our free pregnancy consultations provide accurate and reliable information about each of your options, including abortion. Learn about local parenting resources and support. Find out valuable information about abortion procedures and risks. Discover different adoption plan options in your area. Go beyond the information in a private, confidential, and nonjudgmental consultation with our expert staff who care about helping you take your next steps. Call, text, chat, or email us today for your free appointment!
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.