When you find out that you are pregnant, and the pregnancy wasn't planned, you likely feel a wide range of emotions. Uncertainty and confusion are probably among those emotions. You may feel like you don't know what you should or even can do in your situation. Get to know some of the steps that you should take when you have an unplanned pregnancy. Then, you can start doing what is best for you and your unborn baby right away.
Go to the Doctor as Soon as Possible
One of the most important steps you can take, no matter what you are feeling about your pregnancy is to schedule a doctor's appointment as soon as possible after you take your home pregnancy test. Going to the doctor has numerous benefits.
The doctor will first have you take a blood test to confirm that you are pregnant and check your blood levels to ensure you and the baby are as healthy as possible. Then, depending on how far along you are in the pregnancy, they will perform an ultrasound.
An ultrasound will allow the doctor to determine if the pregnancy is viable. Viability depends on where the fetus is located (it must be in the uterus rather than the fallopian tube to be viable) and whether or not there is a heartbeat. Once you have all of this information about your pregnancy, you can move forward.
Start Taking Good Care of Yourself Right Away
Whether you can get into the doctor right away or not, it is important that you start taking the best possible care of yourself as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Stop consuming alcohol and if you are a smoker, try to quit smoking or at least cut back considerably at first. Avoid taking any drugs or medications unless you get approval from a physician.
Additionally, it is a good idea to go out and get a prenatal vitamin and start taking them. This will ensure that you and your baby get the right amount of certain nutrients, no matter what your diet is like.
Consider Your Options
Ask yourself and answer honestly, are you ready to be a parent? If the answer is no or even "I don't know," there are unplanned pregnancy resources available to help you make your decisions.
Adoption, for example, is a great option and can be very rewarding and meaningful. Giving your child up for adoption can help to make another family as happy as can be. It would mean gifting them with a child and your baby with a wonderful life. You could even remain in contact with the baby through an open adoption.
However, there are also other options available to you. You may find that you do indeed want to be a parent to this baby and decide to keep it. Or you may decide ultimately to terminate the pregnancy. Looking into resources and talking to pregnancy counselors can help you reach that decision.
Now that you know some of the things you should do if you have an unplanned pregnancy, you can be sure you are doing what is best going forward.
