Navigating an unexpected pregnancy around the holidays may cause you to experience mixed emotions. These complex feelings can grow, especially if this new pregnancy wasn’t originally a part of your plans. The thought of having a full holiday schedule, challenging family dynamics, or perceived expectations might be leaving you anxious and overwhelmed. At Cecil Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, we are here if you need help talking through your emotions during this season. Here are a few suggestions to help you navigate this upcoming holiday season.
- It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
If you are unsure how you want to proceed with this pregnancy, that’s okay. If you are experiencing emotions you’ve never experienced before, that’s okay too. It’s okay if you need time to think through all of your options, and to reach out for help while making this decision. We completely understand that this is a big decision—one that will affect the rest of your life. Take your time working through how you feel and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Set Healthy Boundaries
If you are showing, holiday gatherings could lead to questions about your pregnancy. People could inquire because they are wanting to connect with you or simply because they are curious. Remember that your pregnancy story is yours alone, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to answer any questions or give details. Although people could have good intentions, we understand that it could feel overwhelming to answer questions about something you aren’t comfortable sharing. Our advice would be to prepare ahead of time how you want to respond to these potential questions. This could help ease your nerves and give you confidence.
- It’s Okay if You Feel Anxious
It is very common for women to experience fear at some point during their pregnancy. Whether it’s when you first find out you’re pregnant, or it’s after you decide to tell your partner. At Cecil Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, we want you to know that you are not alone. It is okay if you don’t have all the answers about your future right know. Take a deep breath, take one step forward, and just keep doing the next right thing. Lastly, remember to give yourself some grace. This might be completely new to you, and it’s okay if you are experiencing anxiety about what you want to do next.
- Surround Yourself with Support
No one expects you to make this decision on your own if that isn’t what you want to do. We definitely don’t recommend making a rushed decision, but we do reccommend scheduling an appointment right away. At Cecil Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, we offer one free ultrasound per client. We also provide you with more information on what your options are. Knowing all of your options could help eliminate any worry you might have and help you feel more in control of your circumstances. We want you to feel confident about the decision you choose to make.