How Do I Tell My Parents I’m Pregnant?
No matter your age, it can be daunting to share the news about an unplanned pregnancy with your parents. Because there’s no way to be 100% sure what their reaction will be, it can be difficult to prepare for such an unpredictable conversation.
However, there are steps that you can take to prepare yourself with information and resources so that you can share the news with confidence.
You can read further for practical steps about how to deliver the news of your pregnancy to your parents.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Before you tell them, you’ll want to be positive that you are in fact pregnant. At a minimum, avoid relying on common symptoms by taking an at-home pregnancy test at least one day after your first missed period.
At First Care, we offer free lab-quality pregnancy testing that can be accurate as early as three weeks after the first day of your last period.
Prepare Yourself
After receiving a positive pregnancy test, it’s crucial to allow yourself time to process the news and come to terms with it. Remember, you are not obligated to share this information right away with anyone else.
If you have someone besides your parents whom you can trust, it may be helpful to reach out to them first to have someone to talk to and to process the news with.
Try to think ahead of questions they might ask, such as the pregnancy’s gestational age and viability, or more logistical questions, such as which pregnancy path you would like to choose.
Consider utilizing First Care’s options counseling sessions, which provide an opportunity to educate yourself on all possible pregnancy outcomes, or to process any barriers that you may be facing in the midst of your pregnancy.
Remember to be kind and compassionate towards yourself, treating yourself with the same grace and patience you would extend to a friend facing a similar situation.
Next Steps
At First Care, we provide free, confidential services such as options counseling, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and parenting support through our Every Family program.
During an ultrasound, we can help you gather important details like the pregnancy’s gestational age, location, and viability.
During an options counseling appointment, you can ask questions and discuss the options you are interested in exploring before you choose to deliver the news to your parents.
We can ensure you are equipped with the right information to confidently share the news with your parents. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
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Is Abortion Recovery Difficult?
The recovery time or difficulty of most medical procedures varies greatly from person to person.
This includes women who have abortions. Your recovery time will depend on whether or not you experience a complication, either physical or mental.
If you’re currently recovering from an abortion or considering an abortion, make an appointment to talk with a caring team member. We’re here to support you.
What Types of Abortion Are Available?
There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical.
A medical abortion is done by taking two drugs hours or days apart, and a surgical abortion is performed in a doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic using surgical instruments and suction.
Are There Risks with Both Types of Abortion?
Yes, both have their own risks and side effects. However, the effects vary with each individual.
Medical Abortion
The physical side effects of a medical abortion include vaginal bleeding, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, and headache.
Sometimes, these symptoms will stop once the contents of the uterus have passed. However, women should seek medical assistance if they continue to worsen.
In some cases, you may have an incomplete abortion, causing infection. When this occurs, a surgical procedure may need to be performed. You may need to take antibiotics.
After a medical abortion, you may have light to moderate bleeding for several weeks. You would need to monitor your bleeding to ensure it’s not heavy and doesn’t require medical treatment.
Surgical Abortion
The side effects of a surgical abortion include mild cramping and spotting or light bleeding.
If you don’t experience any complications, you will be able to resume normal activities within days. However, experiencing a complication can lead to a longer recovery time.
As with a medical abortion, fetal contents can remain in the uterus. This could lead to infection.
There is also a risk of the wall of the uterus being perforated (when a surgical instrument pokes a hole). Scar tissue can also develop in the uterus (Asherman’s syndrome), or there can be damage to the cervix.
In these cases, a follow-up procedure might be necessary. An infection would also require treatment.
Are There Emotional Side Effects With Abortion?
According to a compilation of different studies of women who have aborted, certain circumstances can make negative mental health impacts more likely. They are:
- If the woman feels pressured to abort
- If the woman has maternal desires that she’s not paying attention to or ignoring
- If the woman has existing mental health problems
- If the woman has conflicting moral beliefs
What Can We Do For You?
At First Care, our experienced medical team can provide a free lab-quality pregnancy test and ultrasound. We will also give information on all your options.
If you have had an abortion and you suffer physical or emotional consequences, please contact us. We would love to meet with you.
If you think you might be pregnant, please call or text us today!
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