Don't Hesitate to Ask for Help
Pregnancy Without Pounds!If you're facing an unexpected pregnancy, you may be feeling a whole range of emotions: shock, disbelief, anger, fear, desperation, confusion or sadness. It's difficult to make the decision that's right for you when your emotions and thoughts are racing and you're not sure of your options and what their outcome might be.
Before you make any decision about your pregnancy, it's important for you to understand as much as possible about what may be involved—emotionally and physically.
There are no simple or easy answers and your ability to make decisions may be affected, especially if you're feeling pressured to choose a certain way. Whatever you decide, your decision will inevitably impact you to some degree as every decision we make has consequences.
Without the facts you can't make a fully informed decision. Given the popular choices you face, you may want to:
- Speak to someone who has had an abortion and find out how that affected her.
- Speak to someone who has gone ahead with her pregnancy and discuss what that has meant.
- Get more medical facts.
- Make detailed inquiries about educational and career options.
- Explore your financial entitlements.
Allow yourself time to come to terms with your situation. It's more difficult to be objective when you are upset or anxious.
Consider seeking independent, unbiased counselling that will allow you to fully explore your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Professional counselling will empower you to make your own decision armed with full, accurate information about your choices.
It can be very difficult to find unbiased advice. Here are a few good starting points:
- Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
- National Women's Health Resource Center
- National Women's Health Network
Alternatives to Abortion Helplines:
- American Pregnancy Helpline 1-888-4-OPTION (1-888-467-8466)
- The Nurturing Network 1-800-TNN-4MOM (1-800-866-4666
- National Life Center Pregnancy Hotline 1-800-848-LOVE(5683)
- Choices Medical Clinic 1-800-879-7451
- Several Sources Foundation 1-800-NO-ABORT (1-800-662-2678)
- Birthright International 1-800-550-4900
Resources for "Difficult" Pregnancies
- BeNotAfraid
Benotafraid.net is an online outreach to parents who have received a poor or difficult prenatal diagnosis. The family stories, articles, and links within this site are presented as a resource for those who may have been asked to choose between terminating a pregnancy or continuing on despite the diagnosis. The benotafraid.net families faced the same decision and chose not to terminate. By sharing our experiences, we hope to offer encouragement to those who may be afraid to continue on. - Prenatal Partners for Life
- International Down Syndrome Coalition for Life
- CareNet 1-800-395-HELP(4357)
- Good Counsel Homes 1-800-723-8331
- Prolife Across America 1-800-366-7773
- National Helpline for Abortion Recovery 1-866-482-LIFE(5433)
- Her Choice (National Post-Abortion Awareness Campaign): Pre-recorded, personal stories; anonymous; 1-952-461-4000
Post-Abortion Resources
- Post-Abortion Review
- AfterAbortion.org
- Rachel's Vineyard 1-877-HOPE-4-ME (1-877-467-3463)
- National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and HealingPost-Abortion Healing Hotline 1-800-5WE-CARE (1-800-593-2273)
- SilentNoMoreAwareness.org 1-800-395-HELP National Helpline for Abortion Recovery1-866-482-LIFE
Men & Abortion
Physical and/or Emotional Problems After Abortion?
- Legal Action for Women 1-800-U-CAN-SUE (That's 1-800-822-6783 9am to 9pm EST)
- Amshoff, Donovan & Smith, P.C., 1-800-203-1950 (9am to 5pm EST)
- Life Dynamics, Inc. 1-800-401-6494 (9am to 5pm Central Time)
- American Rights Coalition, 1-800-634-2224 (9am to 5pm EST)
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