An unexpected pregnancy can bring up questions you were not expecting to face yet. You may be thinking about money, your relationship, becoming a father, or whether either of you is ready for the changes ahead.
Those concerns are worth talking about. The way you bring them up to your partner, though, can make a big difference in how the conversation goes.
Schedule a free, confidential appointment with Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County to meet with an advocate and talk through how to approach conversations with your partner.
Figure Out What’s Worrying You
Before talking with your partner, try to be specific about what is bothering you.
Are you concerned about money? Finishing school? Finding a better job? Your relationship? Becoming a father sooner than you expected?
It is much easier to have a useful conversation about a specific concern than to start with, “I don’t know if we can do this.”
You may also want to talk with someone you trust first. A friend, family member, mentor, counselor, or advocate can give you a place to sort through your own reaction.
Tell Her What You’re Thinking
You can be honest about your concerns without telling your partner what decision she should make.
If money is the issue, it’s important to voice that so she can better understand where you’re coming from. If you are unsure whether you are ready to become a parent, you can say that, too.
Then give her a chance to tell you what has been on her mind. She may be worried about some of the same things, or her concerns may be completely different.
Try not to make one conversation carry the weight of the entire pregnancy decision. You may both need time to think and come back to certain questions later.
Get More Information About Parenting
If parenting feels overwhelming because neither of you knows what it would involve, learning more can help. We can answer your questions and help you learn what resources we offer.
For instance, Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County offers Earn While You Learn classes for men and women. The program provides education on pregnancy and parenting while offering opportunities to prepare for some of the responsibilities ahead.
Participation in classes helps you both earn credits to “purchase” material items in our center. We can even provide referrals to community resources that can help with housing, Medicaid, professional counseling, and more.
An advocate can also answer questions about your other options, so you have accurate information as you and your partner continue talking.
Stay Part of the Conversation
Supporting your partner does not mean pretending you have no concerns. It’s important to be honest without pressuring her to make a specific decision.
Listen, ask questions, and be willing to learn more before assuming you know what the future would look like.
Schedule a free, confidential appointment with us today. You don’t have to take the next step alone.
Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County does not provide or refer for abortions.