Unplanned Pregnancy

Nothing can put strain on a relationship more than an unexpected pregnancy.  If you are in a relationship and you find out you are pregnant, you are probably scared and confused and worried.  This is especially true if you were not planning on having children any time soon or at all.  How do you tell your significant other?  How will he react?  How did this happen?  What are we going to do?  These are all probable questions running through your mind and it can be a very scary place to be. 

First, you need to take a deep breath.  It has happened, you are pregnant and you need to move forward.  Stressing over it is not going to help and the reality is probably a lot less traumatic than what you have built up in your mind.  The first thing you need to do is talk about it.  Your partner needs to know and you need to tell him sooner than later.  Pick a time when you are alone and without distractions.  Then, the easiest way to tell him is to look at him and simply say, “I’m pregnant”.

This may take a bit of time to sink in but once it does, he will likely have many of the same questions you do.  The question of how this happened is pretty much irrelevant.  It did happen.  Maybe your birth control failed.  Regardless, addressing this issue has the potential to assess blame and this is not at all constructive.  So, instead you should move on to the question of what you are going to do.  If ever there was a time for open and honest communication, this is it.  You need to think about what it is you really want and so does he.

You should probably discuss this throughout the coming days before making any decisions.  Once the shock wears off, you may feel differently.  Discuss all the available options and the pros and cons of each.  You have some time before having to do anything one way or the other, so take the time to thoroughly think about it both individually and as a couple.  Above all, try to be supportive of one another.  It is best if you can both agree on a course of action and move forward with whatever plans you make.  Be mature and practical about the issue and rationally discuss your reasoning for feeling the way you feel, one way or the other.  It is a difficult thing to go through but with open communication this can bring you closer.