Learning that you are pregnant when you didn’t plan to be can feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. No matter if you have been staring at a plastic stick in your bathroom for five minutes or for three hours, just seeing that tiny little plus sign or two lines can cause a flurry of mixed emotions. You may feel numb, panicked, or deeply overwhelmed as to what this news means for your future. You have a lot to take in all at once! (And honestly, you do not have to know how to feel yet!)
Allow yourself some time to breathe
Your first priority is to simply take a breath. While you may feel like there are twelve huge life-changing decisions to make and the clock is ticking, you actually have time. It is common for women not to find out they are pregnant until they are several weeks along. Therefore, taking a day or two after you find out you are pregnant to process the news will not change any of your available options. Additionally, it would be wise to avoid making any permanent choices while your physical and emotional stress levels are high, so that you can be sure to think clearly.
Confirm your results
Home pregnancy test kits are typically reliable, but since many produce false positives when taken too soon or when the user did not follow the instructions precisely, going to a center for a lab-quality pregnancy test is a great way to get a second layer of accuracy. Heart Choices offers pregnancy testing at no cost, regardless of your income or where you live in North Central Kansas. Getting accurate information about your pregnancy sets the foundation for whatever comes next. You can Contact Us to make an appointment or stop by during our business hours.
You will need an ultrasound
A positive urine test is only the first step in figuring out your pregnancy. An ultrasound will help confirm three extremely important pieces of information. First, it will tell if you have a viable pregnancy, meaning there is a detectable heartbeat. Roughly 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in natural miscarriage. Second, the ultrasound will confirm that your pregnancy is located within the uterus. If the pregnancy develops outside the uterus, known as an ectopic pregnancy, it can be a life-threatening medical emergency. Finally, an ultrasound will determine how far along you are in your pregnancy, which is important as your pregnancy options will be dictated by this information. We provide limited obstetrical ultrasounds at no cost to give you these facts.
Learn about your options
Once you have confirmed the pregnancy is progressing normally, you have three paths to consider: parenting, adoption, or abortion. Each path comes with its own set of questions and long-term impacts. During our options counseling sessions, we take the time to review all three. We won’t pressure you or tell you what you must do. Instead, we help you look at your personal situation, your goals, and the people who are there to support you. If you are thinking about becoming a parent, we will show you how our Earn While You Learn program gives you baby items like car seats and diapers as you also learn how to take care of your newborn. For men involved in this journey, our Fatherhood Program offers the preparation and support they need for being a dad.
Find someone you can talk to
Isolation can make fear feel much bigger than it actually is. Finding one person you can confide in (someone who will listen without judging what you say or what you need) can allow you to view a situation differently. That individual may be a partner, parent, or close friend. If you feel you do not have someone in your life right now, please let us help since all of our advocates are available to provide you with the support you need. We provide a safe space for you to say whatever is on your mind without worrying about how it sounds. If you have previously experienced a loss or had a termination, we can provide you with reproductive grief counseling so that you are able to heal from those emotions and move forward. You do not have to process this information alone.
If you would like to talk with someone, you can reach us at (785) 738-3433 to contact our staff. We have several offices throughout North Central Kansas in the communities of Beloit, Concordia, Osborne, and Smith Center, and our main office is located at 602 W 6th St., Beloit, KS 67420. We want to help you and your family in North Central Kansas get the resources you need.