Everyone’s emotional response to an unexpected pregnancy is unique. Anxiety, disappointment, sadness, excitement, and aggravation are all natural reactions. It’s common to experience a complex, confusing blend of these. Maybe you recently received a positive pregnancy result you weren’t expecting, and anger has been your dominant feeling so far. The mental/emotional process a person goes through after discovering an unexpected pregnancy is rarely easy, and anger can be particularly challenging to cope with. But does your anger control you more than you control it? It doesn’t have to!
Your anger may be fixed on your partner, your family and friends, your situation in general, yourself, or all of the above. Avenue Women’s Center is here for you no matter what circumstances you’re facing or how you’re responding to them. We’ve been providing early pregnancy services to individuals in the western Chicago metro area since 1981, and we understand how frustrating, even infuriating, a situation like yours can feel. It’s our goal to help you harness your emotions for a positive purpose- uncovering the path that’s right for you.
Learn more about Avenue Women’s Center! Our expert staff has walked beside women and couples through countless difficult pregnancy experiences. We’d love to partner with you too.
The Importance of Perspective
Let’s make one thing clear: It’s okay to be angry! Anger is an understandable, instinctive human reaction. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges with anger is navigating your next steps with a clear head. We’re all constantly presented with choices, whether we’re dealing with an unexpected pregnancy or other circumstances- choices like what to do and how to respond to the people around us. If you’ve ever felt enraged with someone or something (as I’m sure you have), you probably recognize how difficult it can be to see your situation objectively when anger becomes dominant. A decision for abortion, adoption, or parenting matters. It’s essential to approach this choice with a calm, well-informed perspective. Our expert staff at Avenue Women’s Center is here to smooth the progress of your decision-making process.
How Can First-Step Pregnancy Services Help?
Anger is a complex feeling that looks different for everyone. It’s influenced by personality, other emotions (especially feelings of loss), present environment, and past experiences. It takes time and energy to process anger, understand what’s fueling it, and figure out how to manage it effectively. The good news is, most people have time to gather helpful information and learn to cope with challenging feelings before their pregnancy options become limited. Avenue Women’s Center provides a safe space to start this process. Here are a few of the free early pregnancy services we offer!
- Lab-quality pregnancy tests. Getting a reliable pregnancy test is a critical first step to knowing where you stand.
- Limited medical ultrasounds. A scan can provide a lot of useful information, like 1) how far along you are (to determine which pregnancy options you’re eligible for and for how long), 2) if the pregnancy is likely to end on its own, and 3) where the pregnancy is located. A pregnancy located outside the uterus (called an ectopic pregnancy) is a potentially life-threatening medical concern that an abortion wouldn’t resolve.
- Pregnancy consultations. These are customized according to a person’s unique needs. Consultations present an opportunity to process your feelings with a caring staff member. We can have a conversation about all your pregnancy options and help you connect with practical resources that may be beneficial no matter which pregnancy option you choose. For example, we often assist women with accessing medical care, mental health support, and many other resources.
Our expert team at Avenue Women’s Center is passionate about helping people learn the facts- about their pregnancy, their options, and all their available sources of practical and emotional support. Why? Because we’ve seen how an informed approach can empower persons to manage emotions like anger more effectively, and choose their outcome from a calm, confident mental space.
It’s okay to feel angry, but it’s important not to let anger become a driving force behind your pregnancy decision. Coping well with your anger can equip you to step into your future with greater clarity and fewer regrets. Our staff at Avenue Women’s Center is available to support you every step of the way. All our services are completely confidential and provided with warmth and compassion, never judgment.
Schedule an in-person or virtual appointment today! Our limited medical clinics are located in Darien, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois!
Also… feel free to check out our recent blogs that deal with the topic of anger management!
Managing Anger During an Unexpected Pregnancy – Part 1
Managing Anger During an Unexpected Pregnancy – Part 2
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.