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What to Do When You Are Unexpectedly Pregnant

July 19, 2019

It starts with a missed menstruation cycle, which ultimately leads to a home pregnancy test that comes back positive. You’re pregnant. It wasn’t something you were trying for, and it certainly wasn’t something you expected to have happen. Despite it all, the plastic stick in your hand indicates that you now are expecting, and you aren’t sure what comes next.

For all the reasons that this can be an exciting moment for a woman who was hoping to get pregnant, it can be an equally scary moment for those who weren’t. Thankfully, New Beginnings Adoptions have services in place that make options for adoption much more realistic, giving unexpectedly pregnant women the opportunity to do what’s best for them and their baby.

The following is a look at the next steps you should take if you are unexpectedly pregnant:

Go to the Doctor

The first step is to call your primary doctor or your OBGYN to confirm the pregnancy. Their tests are more precise, and they can give you a sense of how far along you may be. This also is a good time to have a conversation with the doctor about adoption and your options. You should also have a conversation about your current medication or health issues like diabetes or depression that may require the help of a specialist throughout your pregnancy. 

Start Prenatal Vitamins

As soon as you know you’re pregnant, even before you visit your doctor, it’s wise to take prenatal vitamins with 400 mcg of folic acid. This will reduce the risk of brain and spinal defects in the baby’s early development. Plus, you’re going to need more vitamins yourself.

Quit Vices That Could be Hurtful to the Baby

If you are someone who smokes, drinks, or uses drugs of any sort, you need to stop doing any and all of those things right away. All three of them can be devastating to the development of the baby.

Improve Your Health

This might mean more healthy foods and drinking more water, both of which you absolutely will need. Improved health also could mean dealing with stress and depression, which also can impact the baby. New Beginnings Adoptions can put you in touch with a nutritionist, therapist, or social worker should those needs arise.

Know the Major Risks for Pregnant Woman (and Stay Away from Them)

There is a healthy list of things that pregnant women should not ingest or come into contact with, so once you know you’re pregnant, avoid raw meat, unpasteurized food, seafood high in mercury (tuna, swordfish, etc.), and changing your cat’s litter. Cat feces can cause a dangerous infection caused toxoplasmosis, so if at all possible, have someone else handle the litter while you’re pregnant.

Getting pregnant when it’s not planned can be scary, but New Beginnings Adoptions can help. Domestic infant adoption agencies are a great option for those women who are ready to make an adoption plan because we ensure the baby ends up in a home where the child will be loved and cared for by a family.