If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be nervous to tell your partner. We completely understand that it can be scary discovering unexpectedly that you are pregnant. Here is some advice to help you navigate through this situation.
The first step that we suggest taking is determining for sure that you are pregnant. Some women get false positives on their at-home pregnancy tests. At Cecil Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, you can come in for a confidential, lab-quality pregnancy test. If you receive a positive pregnancy test, depending on how far along you are, we can provide a free ultrasound to confirm that your pregnancy is viable and within the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus. More than 90% of ectopic pregnancies occur in a fallopian tube. As the pregnancy grows, the tube could rupture and cause major internal bleeding.
The second step we recommend taking is for you to consider your feelings. Before hearing someone else give you their opinion on the pregnancy, try to determine how you feel. This is big news, and it’s understandable if you feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do or how to move forward.
Thirdly, we recommend you learn more about the options available to you. At Cecil Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, we offer free information and education about all your pregnancy options.
Lastly, once you have all the information you need and have sorted out how you feel, you should probably tell your partner. We recommend sharing the news in a comfortable and familiar setting. We don’t recommend bringing it up when you are out in public. This could make the situation more uncomfortable for both of you. When you tell your partner, make sure you are open and honest about your feelings and plans. Try not to hide your thoughts and emotions while also understanding that your partner will need time to process the news as well. They might be confused, scared, angry, or excited. Determine to give them time to work through their own thoughts and emotions before you ask them how they want to proceed. It is also important to be a good listener and allow them to be open with you. In many cases, the partner feels differently about the pregnancy than you do. This is natural, but you will need to work through this together.
We know that telling your partner is only the first step of your journey. You will need to make several more decisions in the coming weeks and months. If you or your partner need help with these choices or you just want someone to talk to, we are here for you—no matter what decision you choose to make.
For more information, you can give us a call at (410) 398-7888. You can also walk into our clinic during our open hours.