Are you facing an unexpected pregnancy today? If so, you’ve probably had a lot of challenges to cope with in recent weeks or months. You’re probably concentrating on (and worrying about) the future more than anything else this December. That would be natural! After all, a new year is about to begin and possible pregnancy outcomes are undoubtedly on your mind. Don’t let a future-focused mindset stop you from taking an unhurried, thoughtful approach to your pregnancy decision-making process. It’s vital to pause and reflect as this current year draws to a close.
Avenue Women’s Center exists to help individuals facing circumstances like yours access the information and support they need to make a confident pregnancy choice. We’ve been providing these important services for over forty years, and we’re as passionate as ever about empowering women from our own Chicagoland community and beyond.
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A Time for Careful Self-Reflection
Maybe you’ve already started thinking about your New Year’s resolutions. Or, maybe you’ve been too focused on the holiday season and/or your pregnancy situation to give this very much thought. Either way, now probably feels like a time for prompt action rather than careful self-reflection. Keep in mind that contemplating the recent past is never a waste of time. Processing what you’ve experienced and learned could equip you to cast a clearer vision for your future- as it relates to this new year and your pregnancy outcome.
A Carefully Considered, Well-Informed Choice
A reflective approach to your pregnancy decision-making process is bound to yield positive results. Take the time that you need to process what you’ve been through and what you’re experiencing now. Give yourself space to absorb your pregnancy news and learn about all your options (abortion, adoption, and parenting). Then, consider all the factors that contribute to your decision-making process: your beliefs, values, instincts, hopes, and desires. Focusing exclusively on “the next thing” could lead you to make a rushed decision. Chances are, you’ll look back on this season of life with fewer regrets knowing that you made a carefully considered and well-informed pregnancy choice.
Most Likely, You Have Time
After discovering an unexpected pregnancy, most women have time to reflect and learn about the avenues available to them before becoming ineligible for some of their pregnancy options. For example, the abortion pill is FDA-approved through ten weeks’ gestation, with surgical abortion remaining an alternative long after that point. An unexpected pregnancy is typically identified early on (about several weeks in), when a woman first notices a missed period. You likely have some time to process your next steps. Use this time well by finding out where things stand with your pregnancy and what resources are available to you. Our expert staff at Avenue can help you in this process by providing confidential early pregnancy support at no cost. Here are some of the services we offer:
- Medical-grade pregnancy tests to confirm the pregnancy.
- Pregnancy consultations to learn about the options and resources available to you, and receive emotional support from a caring consultant.
- Limited medical ultrasounds to date the pregnancy (and find out which abortion option(s) you’re eligible for). A scan can also locate the pregnancy (so you know whether or not the pregnancy is ectopic) and evaluate the possibility of miscarriage.
Understanding your past can help you lean into a positive future. At the same time, understanding your pregnancy can help you pursue a positive pregnancy outcome. Take the time that you have (and need) to feel confident in your decision, whether it’s for abortion, adoption, or parenting. A thoughtful, step-by-step approach will likely equip you to move forward feeling empowered. And there’s no better foundation for a pregnancy decision than an empowered one.
Reach out to connect with an expert staff member and schedule an 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.