One of the most common things we see in women who come to our centers is fear. Fear that their lives will be derailed by pregnancy; fear that their loved ones and friends won’t accept them; fear of being a bad parent. More than anything, these women are afraid of the unknown. It’s vital to get past the fear of pregnancy before you make any decisions or choices about your pregnancy. Keep reading for a few tips on how to do this, then call Pregnancy & Fatherhood Solutions at (915) 249-1344 to schedule your free consultation and get answers to all of your questions.
How to Get Over Pregnancy Fears
Step 1: Relax
Whether you just found out you’re pregnant or you’ve been trying to process your concerns for a while, the first step to getting past it is always the same: Relax. Take a deep breath and mentally “step back” from the situation. Yes, if you’re pregnant, it will bring some changes to your life, but being anxious about your situation won’t change anything. Realizing this, and working to shift your focus away from your fear, is the first step to working through it. Fear, anxiety, and concern are perfectly normal and natural responses to an unexpected pregnancy. The most important thing to realize is that you are not alone.
Step 2: Get the Facts
It’s natural to be scared when you don’t know what to expect from pregnancy or what your options are. One of the best ways to help reduce your pregnancy fears is to be well informed. If you haven’t yet done so, get a free pregnancy test to verify your pregnancy. We offer free pregnancy testing at our centers; call us today at (915) 249-1344 to schedule an appointment.
Read up on the facts and information about pregnancy or learn about fetal development. If you are considering abortion, you may want to learn about the various abortion procedures and understand the risks associated with each. You may also want to learn about the realities of creating an adoption plan for your child. Whatever you decide, Pregnancy & Fatherhood Solutions is here to process each of your options with you and answer all of your questions.
Step 3: Take Care Of Yourself
Even when you’re scared of the next steps in your pregnancy, it’s very important to take care of yourself and the baby growing inside you. If you have not yet had your pregnancy confirmed by a doctor, our centers offer an ultrasound to medically confirm your pregnancy and give you information, such as your expected due date and how far along you are. This is an important step before making any major decisions about your pregnancy. Making healthier food choices and getting adequate sleep at night will also help you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.
Step 4: Make a Plan
We often experience fear when we think we’re not in control of our situation. It’s easy to feel out of control when you’re pregnant — but there are ways to bring that feeling of control back, too. One of the best ways is to make a pregnancy and/or birthing plan. Write down details about your pregnancy so far, and the questions you still have. If you were to carry to term, what additional support or resources would you need? What about your relationship with the baby’s father? Is it strong? What could you do to improve it or bring more clarity to the relationship? If you don’t feel ready for a child, is adoption an option either of you would consider? Making a plan can help you feel more in control of what happens to you each step along the way.
Step 5: Talk to Someone
Pregnancy isn’t always difficult, but it’s certainly much harder when you’re alone. It’s also difficult if you are in an unhealthy relationship. If you feel like you’re struggling with your pregnancy, find someone to talk to and get support from. This could be a family member, a close friend, or even a Pregnancy & Fatherhood Solutions staff member. The key is to find somewhere that allows you to express your concerns without judgement or negativity. We offer free parenting classes, support for men, maternity and infant supplies, and much more to empower you and give you the resources you need to thrive.
Get Support, Guidance and More
If you’re pregnant and not sure what to do next, we can help. Pregnancy & Fatherhood Solutions is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women make healthy and informed choices for themselves and their babies. Call or text (915) 249-1344, or visit us online to schedule your appointment and learn more about our free, confidential services.