Making a Decision
"Everyone who is facing a pregnancy must answer one basic question:
Is this the right time for me to bring life into the world through my body?"*
The answer to this question is sometimes clear, but for many women a pregnancy can present conflicting thoughts and emotions.
You may want a child, but feel that you need to focus on the children you already have. You may be happy to learn that you can conceive, but dismayed by the timing. You may know that you do not want to be a mother, but find yourself wondering about the potentiality of a child: what sex would it be, what would it look like, who would it remind you of? You might be feeling angry or guilty about the way you became pregnant. Or you might be feeling scared or betrayed by the people around you.
Most importantly, though, this is your decision to make. No one else can tell you what to do or what will be right for you.
If you are feeling confused or ambivalent about whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy, it is important to explore your feelings and beliefs carefully before you make your decision. Give yourself the time and space you need to sort through things, and credit for dealing with one of life’s biggest questions.
Seek good factual information about the alternatives open to you and the resources, financial and otherwise, available. Consider your own needs and desires. Find a good listener—someone you know to be compassionate and non-judgmental, perhaps a friend, relative, religious leader or counselor—and talk over your ideas and concerns.
The patient advocates at Preterm are trained and experienced in talking through these issues with women without pressure or judgment. They are available to help you find the solution that is best for you and your life right now.
There are also excellent resources online to help you think about your options. (See the links in the sidebar.)
We trust your ability to make this decision.
