Also Read: How To Cope With Unplanned Pregnancy

 

Many women experience anxiety while coming to terms with an unplanned pregnancy in Victoria, BC.  If you’re feeling anxious, you’re not alone.  Seeking pregnancy support or pregnancy counselling can help you to get a handle on your emotions.  Give yourself enough time to consider, accept, and process your situation. You may want to think about your pregnancy options as well as your core values and beliefs. It’s easy when you’re feeling anxious to react, rather than ponder, but you’ll want to make thoughtful decisions. Choosing solutions that you can truly live with will go a long way toward calming your anxiety. So, here are the seven ways you can manage anxiety during this challenging time.

Seven ways to Reduce Anxiety during Pregnancy 

1. Be Sure that You’re Pregnant

If you have any doubts about your pregnancy, you can get a free, confidential pregnancy test in Victoria BC at a pregnancy support centre such as Birthright Victoria. Their medical-quality tests are more sensitive than some home pregnancy tests and can reliably detect pregnancy within a day of a missed period.  Having someone to discuss your situation with can also help to alleviate any confusion or stress caused by false negatives or other unclear test results.  At present, a pregnancy test at Birthright Victoria can be arranged much more quickly than scheduling an appointment at a doctor’s office or  walk-in clinic.

2. Understand and Process your Emotions

It is normal to experience a range of emotions when dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Feeling overwhelmed, scared, or unsure of what to do next is okay. Instead of pushing these feelings away, allow yourself to acknowledge and experience them. Give yourself time to process what this means for you and your plans. Remember that plenty of resources are available to help you navigate this situation. Trust in yourself and your ability to come to a decision that is right for you.

3. Speak to Trusted Loved Ones

You don’t need to go through the emotional challenges of an unexpected pregnancy alone. Share your situation with trusted loved ones and open up to them about what you are feeling. It may be difficult to tell your partner, parents or close friends about your pregnancy, but it can bring immediate relief. Start with one or two you know will support you, before talking to those with whom you share more complicated relationships.  Additionally, consider reaching out to Birthright Victoria for unplanned pregnancy counselling services in Victoria, BC, to help navigate  emotional and concrete aspects of your pregnancy.

4. Think About Your Options

When faced with an unexpected pregnancy, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Taking the time to carefully consider your options before making important decisions is essential. Consider what you know and how you feel about pregnancy, parenting, adoption, and abortion.  Try to imagine what your life might be like with each choice.  Make sure to factor in your own beliefs and values.  You want to choose an option that will not only calm your immediate anxiety, but one that will still feel right to you ten or twenty years down the road.

It’s important also that you make your decision freely.  Stop and pause if you feel like you have no other option, or if you’re feeling pressured in a certain direction.    Sometimes loved ones have strong opinions about what you should do.  They also may be feeling scared or anxious.  Take a deep breath.  This decision belongs to you.  There are always other options; give yourself permission to explore some of them. The reality is that you are the person who will have to live with the results of your decision, so you want to make it a good one.

Birthright Victoria provides unplanned pregnancy counselling services in Victoria, BC that can help you understand what’s going on inside you, including often conflicting feelings and desires.  Our goal is to give you the support and information you need to make an informed decision for yourself and your baby.

5. Create a Plan

After thoughtfully considering your pregnancy options, you’ll want to create a plan for moving forward. Having a plan provides a sense of peace and balance, giving you a clear direction. It’s not just about setting a goal, but also about the specific actions needed to accomplish that goal. Depending on the option you choose, your next steps may include finding a maternity doctor, scheduling appointments, or making connections with support groups. Birthright Victoria may be able to assist you in organizing your plan, providing you with the resources and support you need.

6. Get Non-Judgmental Assistance

Navigating through the emotions related to unexpected pregnancy can be confusing. You want to surround yourself with kind and non-judgmental people. Birthright Victoria offers free counselling to pregnant women and ongoing support to help you throughout your pregnancy. We provide a confidential and safe space for pregnant women to discuss their emotions and explore pregnancy options. Birthright Victoria understands that unexpected pregnancy can be challenging, and we are here to give you the support and guidance you need.

7. Love yourself first

An unplanned pregnancy may seem daunting, but it does not change the fact that you are beautiful. Embrace your strength as a woman and be kind to yourself as you navigate the decisions that come with an unplanned pregnancy. Taking care of your physical health through a balanced diet and regular exercise is an important aspect of self-care during this time. Loving yourself is the first step on a journey that may include learning to love the little being growing within you.

To sum up, feelng anxious during an unexpected pregnancy is not unusual. Steps to reduce anxiety include confirming your pregnancy, understanding your emotions, talking to loved ones, thinking about your options, creating a plan, getting non-judgmental help, and loving yourself. If you need more assistance during your pregnancy or would like some unplanned pregnancy counselling services in victoria, bc, please give us a call.