Anyone who’s ever been through a breakup understands how shocking, frustrating, and heartbreaking this experience can be. Have you ever been “on the rebound” in the aftermath of a separation from a boyfriend or spouse? A “rebound” relationship is a connection that begins while you’re still in the middle of recovering from a breakup. Chances are, you’re still processing the end of your previous relationship and haven’t “gotten over” your ex quite yet. When you’re unexpectedly pregnant in a “rebound” relationship, it can make an already stressful situation feel overwhelming.
A rough breakup is bound to come with a variety of complex and painful emotions. It’s natural to look for a way to cope, but what happens when you become pregnant in a “rebound” relationship? At Avenue Women’s Center, we understand that every woman’s situation is unique. For over forty years, we’ve been coming alongside women and couples in circumstances similar to yours. We’d love to help you step into a hopeful future by providing reliable information and caring support.
Check us out and learn more about our no-cost, confidential early pregnancy services!
A Lot to Process!
If you’ve recently become pregnant while in a “rebound” relationship, you’ve got a lot on your plate! You’re likely still working through feelings after your previous relationship ended. On top of that, you’re attempting to navigate a new one under stressful conditions and trying to wrap your mind around the pregnancy. Maybe the person you’ve become pregnant with isn’t someone you pictured yourself staying with long-term, but now you feel connected to him by this pregnancy. Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even angry? It’s no wonder! Sometimes, women feel pressure to make a hasty pregnancy decision under such complex circumstances, but taking the time to process everything that’s happened and your next steps is critical.
A Time for Healing, Learning, and Careful Consideration
When faced with any important decision, it’s wise to gather the facts and consider your best outcome before choosing a path forward. This is a time for self-care and self-reflection. Give yourself space to heal from your breakup and everything that’s happened since. Contemplate all the emotions that you’re feeling, your values, and your hopes for the future. Seeking reliable information about your pregnancy and options can help to offer some much-needed clarity. Once you’ve taken a medical-grade pregnancy test, an ultrasound can assess how far along you are. It will also let you know whether the pregnancy is likely to end on its own and identify early pregnancy risks like ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy located outside the uterus). Avenue Women’s Center pairs no-cost services like a lab-quality pregnancy test and limited medical ultrasound with a pregnancy consultation. This is an opportunity to talk about the unique challenges you’re facing and learn about all the options and resources available.
A Foundation of Support is Key
A strong support system can be a game-changer. If you feel safe and comfortable sharing your thoughts with the person you became pregnant by, consider including him in your pregnancy journey. He may have some complex feelings of his own that are similar to yours. Having a calm, respectful conversation could help both of you move toward healing. It can also be incredibly beneficial to seek support from someone like a trustworthy friend or family member, a faith leader, a mentor, or a pregnancy consultant. We’re all meant to live in community with one another, especially when times are tough. Someone else may be able to offer the emotional and practical support that you need to lean into your best pregnancy decision.
The road ahead may be challenging, but you don’t have to navigate this unexpected pregnancy on your own. Avenue Women’s Center is here to lighten your load! It’s our mission to help empower you through education, resources, and support.
Schedule an appointment today or just stop by! We’d love to welcome you at any of our six Chicagoland, Illinois locations!
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.