Time can feel like it stands still the moment you discover you’re pregnant. You’re likely going to feel overwhelmed or shocked when you first see those results. After that, you’re probably wondering “what do I do now?” or feeling like you need to know what your future looks like only hours after you take your test. Here at Lilies of Hope, we see people in your situation every week. We understand.
Most importantly: you have time to process this news. You don’t have to make any decisions today that will change your life forever.
Take a moment to just breathe
When you first discover you are pregnant and scared, it’s common to feel physical stress symptoms like a racing heart or numbness. Before looking to Google or your phone to figure out what to do, please go somewhere quiet and let yourself process this reality. If you take one or two days to just relax and think about this situation, it will not affect how you choose to move forward in your life. Most people who we see find that they are no longer feeling desperately afraid after the first 48 hours and are left more level-headed with a lower level of concern about what their future holds.
Confirm your results with a lab-quality test
Home urine pregnancy tests provide accurate results but may yield incorrect results if taken too early or if the test instructions were not followed correctly. To confirm your results, the next step is getting a lab-quality pregnancy test. We offer free pregnancy services to make things easier for you so you can confidently make informed decisions about your next steps once the results are verified.
Get an ultrasound for more information
Receiving a positive pregnancy test is just the first piece of the puzzle. An ultrasound can answer three important questions about your pregnancy that a urine test cannot. First, is this a viable pregnancy? According to the Mayo Clinic, 10 to 20 percent of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Through ultrasound, you can detect a fetal heartbeat and see how well your pregnancy is progressing. Second, how far along are you? The length of your gestation is one of the basic factors used to determine what medical options you qualify for. Finally, where is your pregnancy located? This is very important in ruling out ectopic pregnancies, which occur in approximately 2% of pregnancies and require immediate medical attention. We provide free limited ultrasounds at our facility to help you get the answers you need.
Explore every option available
After you have confirmation that you are pregnant, the next step is exploring your options, including parenting, adoption, or abortion. Most people form opinions on their options based on their life experiences, but taking a look at the facts surrounding each option can help you view them in a different light. At our center, we will meet with you one-on-one to go through all of your options based on factual information and not fear. You may schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you to meet with someone who will listen to your thoughts and explain your options to you without putting any pressure on you. We will go through everything from your different adoption options to the procedures for getting an abortion.
Find someone to talk to
Supporting yourself during an unplanned pregnancy is made much easier by having someone you trust to talk to about your unease. Having someone to confide in can help ease the sense of crisis that often comes with an unplanned pregnancy. If you don’t have anyone you feel you can talk to directly about your situation, our team is here to walk alongside you. We also have resources available specifically for men if the father of your child is uncertain about his role in the pregnancy. Speaking your thoughts to another trusted individual in a safe environment is often one of the best ways to work through your emotions as you process through your unexpected pregnancy.
Please contact Lilies of Hope to hear how we can help you! Located in Grafton, we serve women and men throughout Ozaukee County and southeastern Wisconsin. You may reach our office at (262) 274-6304 or visit us at 1416 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton, WI 53024.