I Think I May Be Pregnant, Now What?
A number of symptoms may indicate that you are pregnant, like a missed period, nausea and tender breasts. Many pregnant women experience mood swings, frequent urination and are more tired than usual.
One sure way to confirm the pregnancy is with a medical-grade pregnancy test and obstetric ultrasound, especially since there may be other physical conditions that can cause symptoms similar to pregnancy. See this article to learn more about illnesses or conditions that can also have pregnancy-like symptoms.
If you find out you're pregnant, you should make an appointment with a healthcare provider to begin prenatal care. You can also make immediate lifestyle changes to support your health and the health of your baby, like quitting smoking and not drinking alcohol.
But what if you are pregnant and in a troubling situation? Maybe you have an absent or non-supportive partner or a life situation that seems to make the idea of parenting problematic. Maybe you lack health insurance. Maybe you think you are too young or too old, not healthy enough, not financially stable, incapable or too busy to parent.
“Total shock. I’m still in shock”
Learning you are pregnant may be very exciting, happy news. But, it also may be upsetting and scary. It’s important to talk to someone who cares about you and can help you explore all your options. It’s important to find someone who will really listen to you and your concerns.
Something may seem like an obstacle when actually it can be an amazing opportunity for personal growth and joy. Some of our most beloved heroes are those who have overcome situations that seemed insurmountable. Maybe you have been a support to someone like that and observed how great things can come from seemingly troubling situations.
“They actually listened. They actually care. ”
