Sometimes in life, it’s hard to gain insight into our own desires until we’ve already arrived at a significant crossroads. (Have you heard the expression, “hindsight is 20/20”)? Maybe there was a time when you felt at least a little comfortable with the possibility of getting pregnant. But now, this hypothetical situation has become a reality… and you’re realizing that you’re definitely not okay with it.
If this sounds like a dilemma you’re facing today, you likely have some tough decisions around the corner. Know that you don’t have to manage these circumstances on your own. Avenue Women’s Center can help you pursue your own best outcome with confidence. We understand how confusing and frustrating a situation like yours can feel. We’re here to equip you with the information and support you need to move forward.
Learn more about Avenue! We’ve been a trusted provider of first-step pregnancy support since 1981!
A Scary Place to Find Yourself
Finding out you’re unexpectedly pregnant can be stressful, and sometimes even when this isn’t entirely unexpected. Maybe you and your partner weren’t taking very many precautions, because, up until recently, the idea of getting pregnant didn’t seem so bad. Perhaps a part of you even felt drawn to the possibility of parenting. You’re probably seeing things in a very different light now that your pregnancy situation has transitioned from the hypothetical to the real. Perhaps you’re beginning to think more clearly through all the potential challenges this could present. You’re likely feeling scared and confused, wishing you could go back in time and stop your future self from reaching this point in the first place.
Discovering Clarity
It may be natural to feel frustrated with yourself or others if you’re facing these difficult circumstances. Don’t beat yourself up. You may or may not believe in destiny, but your life has led you to this point, and it’s possible to make informed and autonomous decisions from here. You still have a choice. You can get an abortion, create an adoption plan, or pursue parenting. And there are smaller, more manageable steps you can take in the meantime to figure out which outcome is uniquely best for you.
Manageable Next Steps
If you thought you’d be okay with a pregnancy, and are realizing that you were wrong, you may be undecided or leaning towards abortion. Avenue exists to help women facing circumstances like yours learn about their pregnancies and all their available options, so they can take truly informed next steps, no matter how confused or overwhelmed they may feel.
Confirm your pregnancy.
Avenue provides free medical-grade pregnancy tests. These can be taken at one of our clinics for the first time, or taken to confirm a positive result received at home. We can also offer referrals for blood-based pregnancy testing.
Learn about your pregnancy.
Find out the gestational age of your pregnancy, where it’s located in your body, and whether or not it’s likely to continue. A limited medical ultrasound can provide this highly relevant information. We provide these at Avenue Women’s Center at no cost!
Understand your options.
Knowing the processes and risks involved with each of your three pregnancy options (abortion, adoption, and parenting) will equip you to make an informed decision with all the relevant facts in mind. Generally speaking, a more informed decision is a more confident decision. Our caring team at Avenue is available to provide accurate information on all your pregnancy options.
Know your available resources.
There are often a variety of resources that provide support within your community. Our local resources in Chicagoland include health care services, financial support, housing assistance, and much more. At Avenue, we’re here to help you understand what resources are available to you. Sometimes, these additional resources empower women to embrace the pregnancy options they feel most drawn to.
It can be natural to fixate on thoughts of, “If only…” But dwelling on what you may or may not have been wrong about isn’t going to be helpful. Believe that you have the courage, resilience, and available support to take your best next steps here and now (because you do)! Avenue Women’s Center would love to support you throughout your decision-making process by providing practical services and compassionate support. When you connect with us, you’ll be met with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. All our services are free and completely confidential.
Schedule an appointment today! We’re located in Darien, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois!
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.