Are you coping with an unexpected pregnancy, and finding that your pregnancy decision-making process is hinging on your partner’s reaction? Maybe you’re feeling undecided about your next steps because you haven’t told him the news yet, and you’re waiting to see how he’ll respond. Will he be anxious? Upset? Happy? Will he ask you to get an abortion, or say that he wants you to keep it? Perhaps he already knows, and you’re currently pursuing a particular outcome based on his needs or desires. It makes sense that your partner’s reaction would hold a lot of weight for you, especially if you’re in a committed relationship. But there are several other key factors to consider when it comes to making a pregnancy decision. It’s important for the drives that draw you towards your pregnancy outcome to come from within.
At Avenue Women’s Center, we believe that every woman has what it takes to identify her best way forward and pursue it with confidence. We’re here to provide accurate information on all the pregnancy options available to you (abortion, adoption, and parenting). We also offer free and confidential services like medical-grade pregnancy tests and limited medical ultrasounds, so you can know where you stand and feel equipped to move forward.
Check out our website! Avenue has five limited medical clinics in Darien, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois. We offer virtual consultations too!
Healthy Motivators for a Confident Choice
As you process your next steps in the days and weeks ahead, consider making these factors major influencers in your decision-making process.
- Your values and beliefs. What are some of the things you care about most in your life? What ideas or principles do you believe in most strongly? These are bound to hold a lot of personal meaning for you. Ask yourself if your values and beliefs are pointing you towards a particular pregnancy option.
- Your feelings and instincts. Is your gut telling you anything about your pregnancy options? Do you have positive or negative feelings when you think about each of the possible outcomes? It’s important to pay attention to these feelings, even if they seem confusing or overwhelming at first. Most people have time to process them before some of their pregnancy options become unavailable. By learning some basic information about your pregnancy like the gestational age (how far along you are), you can narrow down how much time you have to contemplate your feelings and instincts.
- Your desires. Your partner’s desires definitely aren’t the only desires that matter. You’ll be affected by the pregnancy outcome in a deeper and more personal way than anyone else. Even if your desires for the future are a bit complex, it’s really important that you give them some careful consideration.
Reflecting on These Healthy Motivators, By Yourself and With Your Partner
A decision-making process tends to be healthiest when it hinges on more than one factor, and when those factors reflect who you are. Make a choice that you can confidently say comes from within. This will help you avoid regret and resentment later on. If you trust your partner to listen and be respectful, consider having a conversation with him about your values, beliefs, feelings, instincts, and desires. Reflect on how these are impacting your decision-making process. Let him know that as much as you care about his perspective, these components hold the greatest importance for your pregnancy decision and matter deeply to you. Chances are, they’ll matter deeply to him too.
Our expert staff at Avenue Women’s Center is available to process your circumstances and your available options by your side. We’re all about meeting every person who reaches out with warmth and compassion, never judgment or pressure. This pregnancy decision belongs to you. We’re here to provide the reliable information and support you need to make a knowledgeable choice, and to offer ongoing support regardless of which path you choose.
Reach out to speak with a caring staff member! We’re here to listen to your story and 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.