You’ve anxiously waited for days for your period to arrive, with no luck. You’ve begun to feel nauseous, your head throbs, but worse than the symptoms is the dreadful horror sitting in your stomach. Finally, reluctantly, you take a home pregnancy test. Two lines. Positive. How is this possible? Your mind automatically rejects the result sitting in front of your eyes. But immediately following the realization that you are, indeed, pregnant, is the sinking feeling of shame. What will my boyfriend think? What will my family think? And suddenly this is not just about you and your newly discovered pregnancy. Suddenly the innocent two lines have affected every relationship that is close to you. You realize that whatever decision you make is going to affect those closest to you, and they might have very different opinions on what you should do.
Do you find yourself struggling with the news of an unexpected pregnancy? Perhaps the decision you want to make is different than the advice those closest to you are giving. Dealing with this new situation and the opinions of those around you can be difficult. Avenue Women’s Center is here for you. Our expert and caring pregnancy consultants provide a nonjudgmental, unbiased space to process your emotions and choices so that you feel empowered to make the decision you want.
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Processing through Different Opinions about Pregnancy
Even though an unexpected pregnancy often seems to be about a woman making an isolated decision about her body, in reality, the pregnancy affects her life more than just physically. Pregnancy can affect women emotionally and relationally as well. The people closest to us often have a heavy influence on the decisions we make. A decision about pregnancy is no different.
So, what if you disagree? What if your boyfriend, mom, or dad wants you to keep the pregnancy, while you want to abort? What if it’s the other way around?
Often, potential relational stress in pregnancy is one of the most difficult factors to navigate. Here are a few things to remember while talking with others about your pregnancy decision.
Communicate well.
It can be easy in this situation to withdraw into yourself, not even telling one other person about the pregnancy. But, contrary to how it may feel, keeping the pregnancy to yourself will not help to relieve the stress. If you decide not to tell your boyfriend or your family, that secret will most likely affect your relationships. In difficult situations, we need the people closest to us. Try to communicate as clearly and honestly as possible about how you feel and what you want for the pregnancy.
Listen.
While it can be difficult in moments of crisis to validate the opinions of others, try to take a breath and really listen to what those around you are saying. Your strongest relationships are strong for a reason! These people care about you and want what’s best for you. It can show that you value the relationship when you listen to where your friends and family are coming from, and how this decision affects them as well.
Stay strong.
Don’t let anybody pressure you into a decision you don’t want to make. While it is vitally important to involve those close to you in your situation, always remember that you should feel confident about the decision you make.
Communicate, listen to their opinions, but ultimately you are the one who is responsible for this decision. Be certain that it is the choice you want to make.
Regardless of what your pregnancy decision will be, it is always important to process how each choice will affect your relationships. If you find yourself torn and unsure which direction to go, we’re here to help. Avenue Women’s Center offers a nonjudgmental, unbiased space to help you work through the complications of relational stress that come with an unexpected pregnancy. We understand that pregnancy affects more than just your physical being; it affects your emotions and relationships as well.
Schedule your appointment with our caring pregnancy consultants today!
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.