What are the best steps for an unplanned pregnancy so you can make a decision that is best for you? An unplanned pregnancy can feel like a whirlwind, but you’re not alone in navigating this moment.
You deserve accurate medical information about your body. If you are considering abortion, you deserve to know what’s involved and what the risks are. You are unique and deserve compassionate help in sorting this out.
This guide outlines six practical steps to help you move forward with clarity, from confirming your pregnancy to finding support. Let’s walk through this together.
1. Confirm Your Pregnancy
Start by verifying your pregnancy to ensure you have accurate information. Symptoms like a missed period, nausea, or fatigue are signs of pregnancy, but they’re not conclusive. Home pregnancy tests are convenient, but they can sometimes give false results, especially if taken incorrectly.
For peace of mind, visit a clinic like Waterleaf Women’s Center for a free, lab-quality pregnancy test. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, we provide a free ultrasound to determine gestational age, viability, and pregnancy location, all of which are crucial for understanding your options and situation. This step is important for your health and safety.
2. Explore Your Options
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, take time to consider your options. Do you plan to carry the pregnancy or are you considering abortion? You may have many questions. Take a moment to examine your situation, health, or explore alternatives to abortion before deciding.
It’s important to take a breath and to avoid an impulsive decision. Journal your thoughts, talk to a trusted friend, or seek counseling to process your feelings. Knowing all your options empowers you to make an informed decision. Waterleaf can help you organize your thoughts and bring clarity.
3. Understand Abortion Risks If Considering Abortion
If abortion is an option you’re exploring, it’s critical to understand the physical and mental health risks. The two methods of abortion are surgical and the abortion pill (also known as medication abortion), each with potential complications.
- Physical Risks: Surgical abortions risks include infection, heavy bleeding, uterine damage and more. Medication abortion risks include severe cramping, bleeding, infections—or incomplete abortion which can be especially dangerous. Taking abortion pills at home may seem like a private and safe undertaking, but a medical process administered outside the presence of a doctor has risks. The FDA warns against buying abortion pills online, because unregulated sources may provide unsafe or ineffective drugs.
- Mental Health Risks: Some women experience emotional challenges after having an abortion, such as sadness, guilt, or anxiety – or even PTSD.
You deserve to know the risks involved with any medical procedure so you can make an informed decision. Waterleaf’s medical professionals can review your situation, explain the various risks of different abortion options, and answer questions you have, all at no cost to you.
4. Ensure Your Decision Is Your Own
Your decision should reflect your desires, not external pressures. For example, if you feel coerced by a partner, family, or friends, pause and remember to think about what is best for you. If you’re worried about how your partner might react, seek support from a counselor or clinic to safely navigate those dynamics.
If you are feeling pressure to abort, it’s important to find voices that will help you find clarity. The professionals at Waterleaf are here to listen to you with compassion and to equip you to make a safe decision that’s best for you.
5. Identify Support Resources
You don’t have to face this alone. Support can come from family, friends, counselors, or community organizations. It’s also important to communicate with your partner as much as you are able.
Waterleaf can help ease many of your concerns with free services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and help you explore your options. We can connect you with various resources depending on your path.
You can also explore local nonprofits, helplines, or online communities for emotional and practical support. Waterleaf’s guide on finding unplanned pregnancy support can point you to trusted resources. Knowing where to find help can lighten the load.
6. Take the Next Steps for an Unplanned Pregnancy
This moment may feel overwhelming, but you are stronger than you realize. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you have time to make a thoughtful decision. You matter, and your well-being is important. Whatever path you plan, there is support available.
Waterleaf Women’s Center can help you organize your next steps so you can have confidence and a clearer picture of your situation. Our medical professionals can provide you with pregnancy confirmation and an ultrasound to help you understand your situation and make an informed decision. All our appointments are free and do not require insurance. Call or text us confidentially at 630-360-2256 today. We are here for you!
