For some, a pregnancy announcement may involve a sentimental surprise and a trendy social media post. For others, it can be the most stressful moment of their lives, especially if the pregnancy is the result of a one-night stand. What do you say? Where do you even start?! It’s a scary situation to be in, but you’re not alone!
The team at Pregnancy Help NYC is here to walk you through it. Today, we’re sharing some tips to tell a one-night stand that you’re pregnant!
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Missing your period is enough to make your heart skip a beat. Once other pregnancy symptoms emerge, it can be easy to panic. So, take a deep breath. It’s best to be absolutely certain that you’re pregnant before saying anything. Start by taking a lab-grade pregnancy test and receiving an ultrasound.
Lab-grade pregnancy tests are up to 99% accurate, and can usually be taken before you miss a period! Ultrasounds can determine whether you’re likely to carry to term or have a miscarriage. This will guide the decision-making process going forward.
Know Your Options
Making the final decision for an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Whatever you do, don’t let fear dictate your choices! Take the time you need to consider how abortion, adoption, and parenting could impact your life.
You can do so by asking yourself questions like:
- Do I feel ready to be a parent? Do I want to have children?
- If I were to carry to term, would I want to be involved in the child’s life.
- How do I feel about abortion?
Remember: there are no “right” answers. The goal is to understand each of your options and how you feel about them, so you can make an informed and empowered decision!
This is not an exhaustive list. You likely have a lot of questions running through your mind! If you need a safe place to sort through your thoughts on your options, speak to a counselor at Pregnancy Help NYC!
Ask a Friend for Help
There’s no easy way to tell someone you’re unexpectedly pregnant, especially if you had no intention to start a relationship.
You can get started by writing down what you want to say and asking a good friend for help! They may be able to help you improve your wording and rehearse to calm your nerves. This may boost your confidence going into the actual conversation!
Share the News
Reach out to let him know you need to discuss something important, and arrange to meet in a public place. This will make it less likely for things to escalate. Even if they do, you can leave easily. If he refuses to meet in public, you may have to break the news over the phone.
Whatever you’ve chosen to say, it’s important to be calm and to the point. Dancing around the subject will prolong an already difficult conversation. You could open by saying something like, “I want you to know that I’m pregnant. I’m thinking about abortion/adoption/parenting.”
Be prepared for any reaction. He could be calm and ask for a few days to think. On the other hand, he may have an outburst and make demands. While it’s ok to feel shocked, it’s never ok to harass or threaten someone. If you feel unsafe, leave immediately and cut off communication with him. Your health and safety are number one!
What to Do About Disagreements
There may be some disagreements after the initial shock wears off. The two of you may have very different feelings about each of your options and what the next step should be.
If you feel like you can’t come to a solution, or that he’s pressuring you to make a choice you’re not comfortable with, don’t be afraid to reach out for help! Consider scheduling an options counseling session at Pregnancy Help NYC! An experienced client advocate will provide unbiased information regarding your pregnancy options, and help you to express your thoughts and feelings effectively. They may even provide insight on options you may not have considered!
Unplanned Pregnancy Support in New York, NY
We understand that getting pregnant wasn’t part of your plan. Our compassionate team of client advocates is here to help, every step of the way! Visit Pregnancy Help NYC to ask the hard questions and find solutions. Give us a call at (212) 243-7119 or schedule your appointment today!