No matter the circumstances behind it, pregnancy is often an emotional event. Perhaps you’ve spent years trying to become pregnant, and while what you initially wanted is here, you can’t help but feel a mixture of emotions. This is normal, as these feelings are not limited to women experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. Even women who had their fingers crossed for a positive test result can feel anxious. Now that what you’ve been envisioning has come true, apprehension may have set in, and you may be wondering how to handle what comes next. The worry you feel may have led to doubts about continuing the pregnancy, and understanding your emotions during this time can be helpful. Being pregnant is something you had been hoping for, so what might have changed? Asking questions and seeking support may assist with finding the answer to this question.
It’s normal to experience a surge of emotions after learning about a pregnancy, regardless of whether it was expected or not. Avenue Women’s Center has helped women throughout all of their pregnancy situations, making ourselves available to clients throughout our six locations in the Chicagoland area. If you’re feeling uncertain about your pregnancy, and have found yourself contemplating abortion, then our caring pregnancy consultants can provide you with information and support. We understand this may be a stressful time, and our expert staff is here to help. Schedule your free consultation appointment with us today!
Emotions You May Have After a Positive Pregnancy Test
Joy: Coupled with potential anxieties about what continuing a pregnancy may look like, there may also be feelings of joy. This pregnancy may have been something long awaited, and while you might be nervous about moving forward, a part of you may be happy the test was positive. As you sort through your thoughts about the pregnancy, it may be helpful to analyze your feelings and remember the reasons why the idea of being pregnant was once so exciting to you.
Fear: Pregnancy can leave you emotionally vulnerable, and during times like these, it can be easy for our fears to creep into the forefront of our thoughts. You may be scared about what the future will hold or how you will navigate this experience. A little anxiety following a big change is often normal, but if it’s consuming your every thought and interfering with your ability to go about the day, you may want to speak to your partner, a healthcare provider, or a pregnancy consultant to begin to sort through some of your feelings or concerns.
Unprepared: Women facing an unexpected pregnancy are not the only ones who may experience this emotion. You may be concerned about this not being the right time for you to be a parent, and the thought of it may be overwhelming to you. A pregnancy is a big event, and your feelings of unpreparedness may stem from anxieties about what changes this new circumstance may bring. While you may not be able to control what comes after, you can make decisions about what happens now. Chat with someone who has gone through this before, or reach out to a counselor or pregnancy decision clinic. The more support you have behind you, the more confident you may begin to feel.
Understanding Your Emotions During Pregnancy
Knowing the direction of your thoughts often helps locate where patterns of negativity may be coming from. While there may be the option of self-care, a counseling resource, such as a therapist or a pregnancy consultant, might be of some assistance when attempting to reconcile with your thoughts.
Some techniques that may be recommended to you may include:
- Learning to identify your thought patterns.
- Discovering how your thoughts affect your feelings and behaviors.
- Determining if your thoughts are accurate.
- Replacing biased thoughts with more realistic ones.
In terms of what you can do outwardly, recommended techniques may include:
- Find time for activities you enjoy
- Recognize how actions may influence emotions
- Write out ways to be productive
- Break difficult tasks down into smaller ones
- Gradually face anxieties to diminish them
Coping with strenuous emotions after a positive pregnancy test is more common than you might have thought. There is nothing wrong with you if you have these feelings, and talking it out with someone is usually the healthiest way to handle them.
If you’re experiencing a wave of feelings after learning about a pregnancy, Avenue Women’s Center is here to support you. We understand a pregnancy can be an emotionally trying time, and not only will we provide you with reliable information about abortion, adoption, and parenting, but our caring pregnancy consultants will meet with you for an open discussion about your concerns. Your feelings are important to us, and our trained staff is here to ensure you have access to any care you may need. Reach out today to begin receiving nonjudgmental and supportive guidance at no cost!
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References:
- American Pregnancy Association. Pregnancy Emotions. Retrieved from: https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-concerns/pregnancy-emotions/
- Psychology Today. (2016, September). Therapy Without a Therapist?Doing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on your own can be effective. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201609/therapy-without-therapist
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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.