Facing a pregnancy, especially if it’s unplanned, brings a wave of important questions and decisions. It’s a deeply personal journey, and you might feel a mix of emotions – confusion, pressure, or uncertainty about what to do next. At GMPC Medical, we believe that you have the right to make your own informed decision, one that feels right for you and your unique situation. This guide is here to help you understand what an informed decision involves and how you can navigate this process with confidence.
What Does an “Informed Decision” Mean?
Making an informed decision about your pregnancy means:
- Having accurate, complete, and unbiased facts about all your options.
- Understanding the potential impacts and outcomes of each choice.
- Considering your own personal values, circumstances, goals, and feelings.
- Feeling empowered to make a choice free from pressure or coercion from others.
It’s about you being in the driver’s seat of your own life.
Step 1: Confirm Your Pregnancy and Gather Medical Facts
Before you can make any decisions, it’s crucial to get clear medical facts about your pregnancy.
- Confirm with a Reliable Test: If you’ve only taken an at-home test, or if you’re experiencing pregnancy signs and symptoms, getting a lab-quality pregnancy test is an important first step. GMPC Medical offers these for free.
- Understand Your Pregnancy with an Ultrasound: An ultrasound can provide vital information, such as confirming the pregnancy is viable (developing with a heartbeat and in the uterus), determining how far along you are (gestational age), and identifying if you might have an ectopic pregnancy (which requires immediate medical attention). This information can impact your options and decision-making. You can learn about all our free services, including pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, on our website.
- Consider Your Overall Health: Think about your current health status and any medical conditions that might be relevant.
Step 2: Explore All Your Options Thoroughly
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, the next step is to learn about all your options. The three main choices are parenting, adoption, and abortion.
- Parenting: What would it look like to continue the pregnancy and raise your child? Consider the support systems you have, resources available, and the long-term commitment involved.
- Adoption: This option allows you to continue your pregnancy and place your child with an adoptive family. There are different types of adoption plans, and you can often choose the family and the level of future contact.
- Abortion: This involves a medical procedure or medications to end the pregnancy. It’s important to understand the different types of abortion procedures, potential risks, side effects, and what to expect. GMPC Medical provides factual abortion information to help you understand this option.
Step 3: Consider Your Personal Circumstances and Feelings
An informed decision also involves looking inward.
- Your Values and Beliefs: What is truly important to you? How do your options align with your core values?
- Your Life Goals: Think about your plans for education, career, and your future. How might each option impact these goals?
- Your Support System: Who can you count on for emotional and practical support?
- Your Feelings: Allow yourself to explore how you genuinely feel about each option, beyond just the logical pros and cons. It’s okay for your feelings to be complex or even contradictory at times.
Step 4: Identify and Resist Pressure
Sometimes, when facing an unplanned pregnancy, you might feel pressure from your partner, family, friends, or even societal expectations. Remember, this is your decision.
- Recognize Coercion: Pressure can be subtle or overt. No one should make you feel guilty, ashamed, or forced into a choice you’re not comfortable with.
- It’s Your Body, Your Future: You are the one who will live with the outcome of your decision.
- Seek Neutral Ground: If you’re feeling pressured, it can be helpful to talk to someone who is not directly involved and can offer unbiased support.
Step 5: Seek Unbiased Support and Information
Having a safe, confidential space to talk through your thoughts and get factual information is essential. This is where GMPC Medical can help. Our trained client advocates are here to:
- Listen to you without judgment.
- Provide accurate information about all your pregnancy options.
- Help you process your feelings and consider your circumstances.
- Offer ongoing support, regardless of what you decide. You can learn more about what to expect during a visit with us.
You Are in Control of Your Decision
Making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy is one of the most significant choices you may ever face. There isn’t a “right” or “wrong” answer that applies to everyone; there is only the decision that is best and most informed for you, based on your unique situation and values. Take the time you need.
How GMPC Medical Supports Your Informed Choice
At GMPC Medical, our commitment is to empower you. We provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and comprehensive options consultations. We don’t pressure you towards any particular choice; instead, we offer the information and support you need to make your own well-informed decision with confidence.
Wrapping Up
Making an informed decision for yourself is about gathering facts, exploring your options, understanding your feelings, and resisting pressure. It’s about taking control of your future. You have the strength to navigate this, and you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re facing a pregnancy decision and need a safe place to talk and get clear, unbiased information, GMPC Medical is here for you. Schedule an appointment online or contact us today to get the support you need..