The new year is officially here! Now is a natural time to be thinking about 2024 and envisioning what it may have in store. It seems as though most people in our society approach New Year’s with an optimistic point of view. We look forward to a fresh start and hope for favorable circumstances as we throw out the old calendars and replace them with new ones, unmarked and full of potential. But maybe that hasn’t been your experience. Maybe you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, and this year looks far more petrifying than it does promising from where you stand.
Are you unexpectedly pregnant and scared of what the future holds? The feelings you’re experiencing are natural, and you don’t have to process them on your own. Avenue Women’s Center is here to help! We’re an early pregnancy clinic with six locations in Chicagoland. We provide confidential first-step pregnancy services at no cost, to equip women to make the most well-informed and confident pregnancy decisions possible.
Check out our “About” page to learn more! We’ve been a trusted resource since 1981!
Facing an Unknowable Future
If you’re navigating an unexpected pregnancy right now, you have three options available to you: abortion, adoption, and parenting. Each alternative comes with unique processes and risks. Each has the potential to make a lasting impact on your life, in positive ways and negative. So, it’s normal and natural to feel nervous about the future- regardless of which pregnancy option you’re leaning towards.
Perhaps you’re still feeling undecided about which pregnancy outcome is best for you. If that’s the case, maybe the aspect of the future that scares you the most is the mystery behind it. Chances are, you’re feeling “in limbo” as you process your options- probably not for the first time in your life. We’ve all experienced this to some extent. Uncertainty is an uncomfortable reality that’s always present, even when it feels like our circumstances are under our control. The key is finding a balance between accepting the mysterious nature of the future and owning our autonomy in the here and now.
A Balanced Perspective
There are healthy and unhealthy ways to consider the future (as well as the past and the present). Here are a few tips to help you maintain a balanced perspective as you navigate your upcoming pregnancy decision and other challenges that you face in life.
- Acknowledge that any decision you make will lead to a unique future. Examine the possibilities without obsessing over them.
- Recognize that you’re capable of learning from the past. Allow your past experiences to inform your present decisions and future outcomes.
- Focus most of your energy and attention on the present. Keep asking yourself the question, “What’s the right next step for me?”
The “Right Next Step”
The “right next step” doesn’t have to be something as significant as making a pregnancy decision. Maybe your right next step is smaller and more manageable, though still important. Examples could include learning more about the pregnancy options you’re less familiar with, finding out whether or not your pregnancy is viable, or seeking supportive feedback from someone you trust. Your circumstances may seem overwhelming and the future may scare you. However, it’s possible to manage this pregnancy journey with confidence and ultimately discover the outcome that’s best for you. Avenue Women’s Center is here to help make your decision-making process manageable, by partnering with you in designing your own step-by-step plan, then walking that road by your side.
Our free early pregnancy services at Avenue include, but are not limited to, medical-grade pregnancy tests, options consultations, and limited medical ultrasounds. We can help you access the practical resources you need to make an informed decision you feel confident in, while prioritizing your own physical and emotional health. You’ve got this!
Reach out to schedule an appointment! Our expert staff members are available to answer your questions with warmth and professionalism.
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.