You just saw two lines on your pregnancy test. You might be feeling shocked, surprised, afraid, excited, or upset—all emotions that make it difficult to think of your next steps. What should you do next? How do you begin to tackle this challenge and the change that comes with it?
Schedule an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy.
You should schedule an ultrasound as soon as you can after your positive pregnancy test (even if you’re leaning toward abortion).
A small percentage of pregnancies are ectopic, meaning they are located outside the uterus (usually in the fallopian tube). An ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening and must be treated by a medical professional as soon as possible. The abortion pill cannot expel an ectopic pregnancy—so even if you’re leaning toward abortion, an ultrasound is necessary.
An ultrasound can also tell you roughly when you conceived. Your ultrasound technician cannot give you an exact date, but she can give you a window for when you conceived based on ultrasound measurements.
Here at The Pregnancy Network, we provide free limited obstetrical ultrasounds. We don’t require insurance—all you have to do is make an appointment.
Talk to someone you trust about the pregnancy.
This might be the father of the baby. This could be a parent, a sibling, a best friend, a mentor. Finding out you’re pregnant, regardless of your decision, is a challenging season. Your emotions will be high because of your hormones and because this is life-altering for you. You need someone trustworthy to support you.
If you have no one trustworthy to talk to, our licensed registered nurses are happy to discuss your pregnancy with you while you make a plan for the future. If you’re in the Triad, you can make an appointment to speak in person. We also offer telemedicine services where you can speak with a nurse on staff remotely!
Research your options for your pregnancy.
You have three options when facing your unplanned pregnancy: parenting, adoption, and abortion. It’s important to research your options before making a decision. What you choose will affect the rest of your life, not just your immediate future. Ask yourself: What will my life look like in 10 years with this decision? What about 20 years?
Learn more about each of your options here:
Take a deep breath.
You’ve got this. This challenge seems unknown and scary right now, but you will look back later in your life and feel proud of your growth as a person. We believe you’re strong enough to navigate this.
You’re not alone, even if you don’t have supportive people near you. We are here to support you through your unplanned pregnancy, no matter what decision you make. Our registered nurses will discuss your decision and future with you. Our case manager can provide references to local resources if you are struggling with housing, job, transportation, childcare, nutrition, physical health, or mental health needs. All our services are free of charge.
Adrienne Bergmeier
Adrienne Bergmeier is a Communications Coordinator at The Pregnancy Network.