Days after discovering an unexpected pregnancy, do you find yourself worrying about how your friends would view your situation? Maybe the question, “What would they think?” is at the forefront of your mind today. Maybe it’s one of a thousand concerns swirling around in the back of your head. You may be facing an unexpected pregnancy in your teens or 20s. Or, perhaps you’re coping with these challenging circumstances a bit later in life. (After all, it’s natural to care what your friends think at any age. Your reasoning may just look different depending on your current season of life.) No matter what pregnancy circumstances you’re facing right now, you don’t have to walk this path alone.
Avenue Women’s Center is here for you! We’re a limited medical clinic that exists to help women managing situations like yours learn where they stand medically, so they can make the most informed pregnancy decisions possible. We’re also available to navigate other important aspects of an unexpected pregnancy (like the social and emotional effects) by your side. Our expert pregnancy consultants and nurses at Avenue are here to meet your needs as comprehensively as possible.
Discover our free and confidential first-step pregnancy services!
Their Views Don’t Define You
All your concerns surrounding this pregnancy hold significance, including your concerns about your friends’ possible opinions and reactions. It’s natural to wonder and worry about what’s going on in other peoples’ heads- especially the heads of people you care about. But know that your friends’ views aren’t the be-all and end-all. Just because you care about their opinions (which is okay to acknowledge) doesn’t mean that those opinions define your situation or dictate how you should manage it. Don’t let your friends’ views become so significant in your mind that they begin to drive your decision-making. A healthy pregnancy choice will come from your own heart, mind, and gut.
Accepting What You Can’t Know or Control
It’s important to accept that you can’t know all the details of your friends’ thoughts, even if they find out about your pregnancy and express their opinions. This is for the best, and all the more reason not to let their views drive your choices. Give your friends the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. And acknowledge that you don’t have any control over their reactions (to your pregnancy news, or anything else). They’re fully responsible for their own responses to you and your pregnancy news. Accepting this will likely give you a sense of freedom and autonomy as you navigate your pregnancy journey.
Building Your Support System
You certainly don’t have to tell your friends about your unexpected pregnancy. This is a private matter, and it’s completely your decision who to confide in. However, it can be really helpful to share your pregnancy journey with at least one caring and trustworthy individual. Consider your close friends and family members. Do you feel like you can trust any of them to respond to your pregnancy news with compassion and respect? You could also reach out to someone like a professional counselor, a faith leader, or a pregnancy consultant. Once you’ve decided who to include in your support network, check out some of our other blogs for tips on communicating your pregnancy news and navigating your situation with others.
Helpful Communication Tools When Sharing Pregnancy News
Unexpectedly Pregnant: “How Do I Help My Friends Understand?”
Considering Abortion Because My Peers are Judgmental
You’re fully capable of finding a path through these circumstances and overcoming the obstacles with courage and resilience. Hopefully, your friends will recognize this and encourage you in your many strengths and abilities. Our expert pregnancy consultants and nurses at Avenue have your back too. We’re here to meet your holistic needs by providing practical services, reliable information, and ongoing emotional support, all in a private setting at no cost.
Reach out to speak with a caring staff member! We’re available to answer your questions!
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.