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Knowing It’s Okay to Cry About an Unexpected Pregnancy

For some women, an unexpected pregnancy decision isn’t a quick and easy process. There may be days where you feel numb. On other days your emotions can seem so intense that you find yourself crying. Perhaps you haven’t told anyone about what you’re going through yet. You may be worried about the reaction of your partner, friends, or parents. It’s also normal for some women to feel a little embarrassed to talk about their pregnancy. Being the only one to know about your circumstances can lead to a lot of energy being expended to cover it up. To avoid mental fatigue, you may find yourself attempting to block out the pregnancy from your mind altogether. In the midst of these intense emotions, how do you give yourself permission to cry about an unexpected pregnancy?   

 Avenue Women’s Center understands you may be hesitant to share your emotions with others. Perhaps fear of judgment has compelled you to conceal them. We’re here to help. Our six Chicagoland centers provide a nonjudgmental environment. There, you can meet with one of our caring pregnancy consultants for a confidential session. You can talk freely with our expert staff about your situation, and receive accurate information and support.

Schedule an appointment today to talk with our trained staff about your choices of abortion, adoption, and parenting!

When Emotions Overflow

Have you ever lived in a house with a basement that had a sump pump become overwhelmed by a heavy storm? The pump is supposed to keep the interior of your house dry. It drains and diverts accumulated water to prevent flooding. But sometimes the rain is too much. Water seeps in. It pools in the lowest corner of the basement and steadily rises as more of it continues to pour in.

When the rain stops, the floor and furniture are usually soaked. If left unattended, the damp basement will typically begin to smell of mildew.

Something similar can happen when we try to forget our feelings about a stressful circumstance, such as unexpected pregnancy. Emotions that could not be flushed away instead may come flooding in and spread into other areas of our lives to make themselves known to us. Though you may have attempted to keep your mind off the pregnancy by focusing on school or work, the overflow of feelings we have not shared with anyone can grow harder to ignore.

Directing Your Emotional Attention

While a part of you may have acknowledged the need to make a decision eventually, perhaps you’ve told yourself everything is okay. You feel you’ll be prepared to make a choice when the time comes. Moving forward with a decision this way is an option. But will you still feel confident about it later when you have time to reflect on it?

Working through your thoughts and emotions before you make your choice instead of after may be of benefit. Analyzing what may be some vulnerable feelings can seem scary. At times you may want to cry tears of frustration because it can seem like there’s too much information to process.

But confiding in someone early on in the decision-making process who can help you assess your situation and your response to it may reduce anxieties. If you need help talking to your loved ones, you may want to consider speaking with an additional party. A counselor or pregnancy consultant can identify a safe environment to have an open discussion. This can make a resolution to your pregnancy that aligns with your personal needs seem a bit more obtainable.

Setting Your Emotions Free

It may be helpful to envision a blank sheet of paper that has yet to be filled in with your pen. Since this is your paper, what sort of things do you see yourself scribbling onto it? As you think about your future, what do you see yourself doing five to ten years? Have you weighed the pros and cons of each decision? Try writing these questions down so you can visualize the answers.

You do not have to commit to anything just yet. Instead, you may want to attempt to write out small goals for yourself that can be accomplished in the present. In addition to finding a place to talk about your pregnancy, you may want to begin to gather information. On top of researching and asking questions about your potential choices, this may also include scheduling an ultrasound exam. Learning your pregnancy’s gestational age and your risk of experiencing complications such as a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy are factors that are often relevant when making a decision.

Taking Your Next Step in Unexpected Pregnancy

Try to take things one day at a time. Letting all of your emotions in at once may lead to you placing pressure on yourself to decide. It may seem as if there are too many choices before you. But know there are plenty of people who are waiting and willing to support you.

Do you feel as if you need to tell someone about your unexpected pregnancy because you’re beginning to feel overwhelmed? Avenue Women’s Center will listen and respond to your needs. We’ll help guide you through the steps of making a decision about abortion, parenting, and adoption. Our free limited medical services provide relevant information about your pregnancy. And our trained staff is here as you process your emotions and begin to move towards making a decision.

Reach out today to receive support and confidential pregnancy resources at no cost!

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.