Navigating Unplanned Pregnancy: What You Need To Know
OMG I’M PREGNANT??
So, in one of my previous blogs, we covered whether someone might in fact be pregnant, how far along they might be, whether the fetus has implanted in the correct location, and how many babies we might be looking at down the road to parenthood. Now, did you know that approximately 50% of people have unplanned pregnancies? Unintended pregnancies aren’t always unwanted pregnancies, they sometimes just come with a few more details to work around. However, when they are planned, it is recommended to couples that they make some significant lifestyle changes or family planning at least three months before conceiving. LMFAO! There are even family planning services for these types of organized individuals. Who would have thought….
Falling into that 50th percentile ??
If you fall into the 50% of people who are amongst the ‘number of unintended pregnancies’ crowd, you may have some questions and concerns about your lifestyle in or around the time of conception.
I know that I did. My first concern was, first of all, WTF happened to the contraceptive method that was supposed to be affective that I was in fact using? Secondly, what are going to be the health outcomes of my baby with my not knowing that I was pregnant for part of my first trimester? What are the risk factors of something being wrong? Am I going to be one of those single mothers? What is the best decision I can make for this baby in my next steps? What if there are complications? Will I be the only person to deal with everything. Will I have the social support, and the health care that I will require?
Also… “OMG, is my child going to have fetal alcohol syndrome?” Like many others who may have found out that they were pregnant out of nowhere, I was one of them. I was one of you young women who had just been away on two wonderful work conferences where the major theme in the evenings had been drinking 101. There was no lack of booze on those two particular weekends. However, not long after my return from the second blast from the past, held some shocking news that I would discover. News that I would be now entering into a new world called parenthood. Ready or not, it was happening.
I fell into the 50th percentile …. Yikes!
I immediately got referred to an obstetrician /gynaecologist for some healthcare, where I frantically admitted to my first acts of poor parenting. My doctor was an angel. He sat me down and reassured me that I hadn’t been the first mother to come to him with this confession. The thing of it was that he went on to explain to me what in the end made complete sense… and now I am going to share it with y’all.
This will make you feel a LITTLE better…
When you find out that you are pregnant, this is what you need to remember,… (other than to also take folic acid).. all of the “pregnancy dating” is actually calculated in weeks. These weeks are based from the date of the first day of your last menstrual period. Soooo…you very likely conceived around week 2 or 3, depending on when you ovulate (everyone is different, but typically it’s day 14). Also, then depending on when you did the deed (sex), and when implantation occurred,…. By the time you’ve already missed your period again, you’re already into week 4 timeline of your unknown “pregnancy.” Well, people wouldn’t even be looking to test until after they’ve noticed that they’ve missed their period. This would be also right around the same time that the baby’s placenta would begin to form. The placenta is what feeds and nourishes the baby throughout your pregnancy.
Therefore, if you think about it, any alcohol that you’ve drank up to that point has very unlikely to have affected your baby. This information came straight from an md ‘s mouth. I kid you not. I kind of used that information to serve as my toolkit for my mental health for quite some time during that period of psychological distress.
However, NO DRINKING during pregnancies ladies…
Research does show, however that drinking alcohol once the placenta forms in such pregnancies and begins to provide for the baby, does increase the risks of birth defects related to alcohol substantially. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while pregnant also has been shown to lead to FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).
Take home….
While all of us mothers and fathers out there strive to be the best parents we can be, no one is perfect. Unintended pregnancy rates are definitely higher than they should be, however, there is a lot of information available at public health clinics with regards to contraception, disease control, intrauterine devices, birth control, prenatal care, maternal mortality, live births, reproductive life plan, low birthweight, reproductive health, pregnancy options, sexual activity, contraceptive use, and even abortion incidence. In most communities, there is a human services centres as well to assist younger women with emotional problems they may be dealing with due to pregnancy and socioeconomic status or health risks.
A lot girls as young as 15 years of age, still in high school, find themselves becoming sexually active women. The risk of unintended pregnancy in these cases is extremely high. These young birth parents can find themselves with a lot of postpartum depression and need to seek guidance from their community health centres. No matter what your pregnancy intentions are, the most important thing to address upon discovering that you are in fact pregnant, is to ensure that your health and the health of your baby is safe. There are options for both biological parents.
The best we can do is learn from our mistakes and carry forward using the new information we’ve learned to guide us. Perseverating over something that cannot be changed is a waste of time and energy. Move on and try to come to peace with the past. I hope that this blog was helpful to someone out there. 😉
What can be done if my partner refuses to use birth control, or even worse, refuses to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
If your partner refuses to use birth control or get tested for STDs, it is important to take a cautious approach. First and foremost, it is essential that you practice safe sex by using condoms and other forms of protection to reduce your risk of contracting an STD. It is also important to have honest and open conversations with your partner about your expectations and needs. Explain why birth control and testing are important to you, and try to come up with a solution that works for both of you. If your partner still refuses, then it may be best to look for another partner who is willing to engage in safer sex practices. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that you have the right to protect yourself, and if your partner won’t take necessary precautions then it may be best to find someone else.
What are my options if I have an unplanned pregnancy?
If you find yourself in an unplanned pregnancy, you have a few different options to consider. You can choose to carry the pregnancy to term and parent the child or place them for adoption. If you are not ready to become a parent, you may also choose to terminate the pregnancy. It is important to take some time to think about what is best for yourself and your family before making any decisions.
No matter which option you choose, it is essential that you seek out support from trusted friends, family members, or professionals who can help guide you through this process. Additionally, make sure to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally by getting regular prenatal care if applicable and seeking counseling if needed. This will ensure that you have all the information necessary to make an informed decision about your unplanned pregnancy.
What should I do for unplanned pregnancy?
Unplanned pregnancy can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, but there are a few steps you can take to ensure that you make the best decision for yourself and your baby. First, take time to consider all your options, such as adoption or parenting. Seek out a qualified healthcare provider who can provide you with accurate information about your options and help answer any questions you may have. You should also talk to your partner, family members, and friends to get their support and advice. Finally, explore resources in your community such as counselling services or medical assistance programs that can help you with finances, childcare, or other needs. With the right resources and support, you can make the best decision for yourself and your baby in an unplanned pregnancy.
