Early signs of pregnancy can include missed or lighter periods, breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, and mood changes. A home pregnancy test detects the pregnancy hormone hCG and can provide a result as early as the first missed period. If the test is positive, it is important to see a doctor to determine next steps and care. A woman facing an unexpected pregnancy has several options to consider, including continuing the pregnancy and parenting, adoption, or abortion. Support from loved ones can help in making such an important decision.
2. Signs of Pregnancy Early signs of pregnancy vary from woman to women and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some early signs include: a missed, lighter, or shorter menstrual period than usual, breast tenderness or enlargement, nipple sensitivity, frequent urination, feeling unusually tired, nausea and/or vomiting, feeling bloated, cramps, increased or decreased appetite, and feeling more emotional than usual
3. Finding Out Any woman who has begun her period, has not experienced menopause, and who has vaginal intercourse with a man can become pregnant unexpectedly Whether you are 14 or 45, every method of birth control can fail It is possible, but very rare, for you to become pregnant without intercourse
5. The Test A simple way to find out is to take a home pregnancy test, which tests your first urination of the day The test is very easy to use and is available in the family planning section of drugstores The test can detect pregnancy starting at the time of your missed period, about two weeks after ovulation Family planning clinics, women’s health centers, and medical offices offer both urine and blood tests Both tests, known as monoclonal antibody tests, detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone present first in the bloodstream and then in urine during pregnancy. Be cautious about assuming that a negative test is accurate because the test results can be negative because the test wasn’t performed correctly or because you tested too early in the pregnancy.
6. You Are Pregnant! If you learn that you are pregnant you will need time to adjust to the news and the vast range of emotions that follow
7. Taking A Long Time To Find Out It is not unusual to be more than two months into a pregnancy before we realize it. Our culture and family upbringing may influence how we interpret the changes in our body Whatever the reasons that you might delay, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible
8. Deciding What To Do Once you learn that you are pregnant, your next step is to decide whether to continue the pregnancy or have an abortion. If you chose to carry to term, you may choose to raise the child yourself, or have the child raised through closed or open adoption, or foster care.
9. Whom To Turn To A partner who is loving and nurturing can offer wonderful support as you face an unexpected pregnancy
10. A Strong-Willed Partner Your partner may have reasons for wanting you to carry to term or to abort, but even his noble reasons might no consider what is best for you or a child Trust your instincts, and seek support. If your loved ones have strong opinions about what you should do, you may need support to stand against their opinions Sometimes doing what your heart says means going against what they want.
11. Abortion Abortion is safe and legal in the United States, although your financial situation, age, and where you live can make it stressful The safest, easiest, and most affordable time in within the first three months of pregnancy.
12. Carrying To Term If you decide to carry your pregnancy to term, it is important to seek medical care now. Stop using alcohol and drugs, diet pills, herbal medicines, birth control, and over-the-counter medicines until you consult with a health care provider
13. Parenting Babies are remarkably resilient and adaptable when they have a consistent, emotionally nurturing caretaker and are comfortable, properly fed, and safe. As more children grow up with no father figure around, and women become empowered and economically independent, it is socially acceptable for us to parents on our own.
14. “I was in a stable, if long-distance, relationship with a supportive guy who I knew would be behind me no matter what I chose. I spent a week thinking, wondering, agonizing, and writing. At the end, I realized that I wanted to be a parent. I told my significant other that he could leave now, or he could stay and be a father. I’m glad he decided to stay. I’ve told my daughter, who is three now, this story many times. It’s one of her favorites. I want to make sure she knows that I wasn’t forced into having her, that I chose to be her mother.”
15. Foster Care Throughout history, shared child rearing in extended families and among friends has helped ensure that as many children as possible have a chance to thrive.
16. Adoption Adoption can be a difficult choice. If you chose this route, you will be well served by creating a deliberate adoption plan with an adoption counselor and by using a reputable agency. It is standard practice for you as the birth mother to chose the adoptive family from a pool of applicants in order to determine how comfortable you are having them raise your child. You can also find an adoptive family through a newspaper ad, an independent adoption facilitator, a medical practitioner, or a lawyer.
