If you recently found out you are pregnant and are worried about how to tell your boyfriend and family, that’s understandable. Taking a deep breath is an excellent first step. It probably feels like the world’s weight is on your shoulders right now, but getting your pregnancy news out in the open may help lift that burden.
Read on to learn strategies you can take to make it easier to tell your boyfriend and family. Or, if you want to talk to someone about your pregnancy and learn about free resources and services, contact Avenue Women’s Center today to schedule a free, confidential appointment.
Learn All You Can About Your Pregnancy Options
Before telling your boyfriend and family, it’s essential to learn all you can about your pregnancy options. This will help ensure that you make your own pregnancy decision without feeling pressured into one choice over another.
Making your own pregnancy decision is essential for avoiding adverse mental health implications. In a study by the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, it was found that roughly 75% of women who had an abortion felt at least subtly pressured into getting one. And of these women who felt pressured into abortion, many suffered adverse mental health outcomes afterward, including feelings of:
- Shame
- Guilt
- Regret
- Self-hatred
- Worthlessness
- Being unworthy of love
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
Your pregnancy options include parenting, making an adoption plan, and abortion. At Avenue Women’s Center, we offer free, medically accurate information about each of your options, and we also provide the space for you to ask questions.
Think About What You Want to Say
Knowing what you want to say beforehand can help you feel prepared to tell your boyfriend and parents about your pregnancy.
When thinking about what you want to say, the following questions can help you brainstorm:
- Do you know what pregnancy choice you’re leaning toward? Why?
- What details about the pregnancy do you want to share? For example, if you’ve had an ultrasound, do you want to tell them about the results?
It’s okay not to have everything about the conversation mapped out. But if you know some of the details you want to discuss, it will give you a measure of confidence.
Decide When and Where to Tell Them
Where do you feel most comfortable? In public? In your room? Choosing where you feel most comfortable can help you feel more at ease as you tell your boyfriend and parents the news.
If you are worried about your safety when telling your boyfriend or parents, telling them in public is essential, ideally with a supportive and trusted friend or relative. (If you believe that your personal safety or someone else’s may be at risk, call 911 or contact local law enforcement right away.)
You’ll also want to choose a day and time when your boyfriend and parents will be free from obligations and distractions. For example, if they work on the weekdays, the weekends might be better.
You’re Not Alone
Preparing to tell your boyfriend and parents the news about your pregnancy can feel overwhelming, and you likely have many questions. But you’re not alone in this. At Avenue Women’s Center, we’re here for you.
We offer free pregnancy support services to help you feel empowered to make an informed choice about how to move forward. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential 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.