By Lindsay Zavitz, Center Director
Decision Making. We make thousands of decisions every day; some more important than others. What time will I get up? What will I pack for lunch? Will I go out with friends or stay home after work/school? What will I wear? Will I finally tell the guy that I’ve been crushing over for months that I like him? Will I stand up to my coworker who I heard talking about me in the break room?
Some decisions come as second nature, or maybe even come out of habit. Others take a more methodical, contemplative approach, especially if the decision is going to make a lasting impact on your future. Think about how you chose what sport to play, or what school to go to, or maybe even what career you wanted to pursue. My guess is that decision wasn’t made over night! A decision about your unplanned pregnancy shouldn’t be made over night either. This is one of those decisions that will last a lifetime.
If you’re navigating an unplanned pregnancy, please call Avenue Women’s Center to schedule your free options consultation today.
After personally serving over 1,000 clients at Avenue Women’s Center, here are my tips for making good decisions:
-Rarely do people say “I should have made that decision more quickly.” More often than not, I hear people say “I should have taken more time to decide.” I know you’re feeling pressured to make a decision fast. But take your time. Don’t rush a big decision like this.
-Be wary of making a permanent decision based off of temporary circumstances. Finances, housing situations, even unemployment are common pressures that make women feel as though they have to have an abortion. Those factors matter, but they can also change quickly over the course of 9 months.
-Seek the input of close friends, trusted adults, as well as an unbiased 3rd party. The balance between people who know you closely and those who don’t will help provide you with a well-rounded point-of-view.
-Picture your life 1 year, 5 years, 10 years down the road depending on which route you take. Imagine your life down each road and think about how you would feel. Which path will bring you the most joy? Will make you feel proud? And conversely, which would bring you the most regret?
-Consider both your brain and your heart. Your brain will tell you logically what the best decision may be, but your heart and your emotions are important to pay attention to as well, especially if there is dissonance between the two.
-Do your research. Make sure you have all the information on every possible outcome so that you can make the best, more well-informed decision for yourself.
-Consider your values, morals, and possibly even your faith beliefs. Do any of the routes you’re deciding between go against your values/morals/beliefs? Be careful when compromising what you believe in.
-Decide for yourself. Others’ opinions are important and do matter, but YOU have to live with your decision. Be as close to 100% confident that you’re making the right decision before actually following through with your decision.
While your decision whether to stop at Dunkin Donuts vs Starbucks for coffee today may not be life altering, your decision about your unplanned pregnancy will be. No matter what you choose, you’re at a pivotal point in your life. Avenue Women’s Center specializes in coming alongside women as they’re finding out they’re pregnant and are looking into their options. We hope you will contact us today so that we can help YOU make the best decision for YOU.
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.