What Do I Need to Know Before Making a Pregnancy Decision?

You know you’re pregnant. You know you have options. But how do you know what to do next? What do you need to know before making a pregnancy decision?

I know it can feel overwhelming, with a lot of questions swirling in your head.

• What information do I need?
• What should I consider?
• Who can I talk to?
• How do I know I’m making the right decision for me?

You don’t need to have all the answers before you start looking for them.

Before making a pregnancy decision, start with information. Understanding your pregnancy, your options, your circumstances, and the questions you still have can help you figure out what comes next.

First, make sure you have the basic information about your pregnancy.

You may want to know:

• Is the pregnancy confirmed?
• How far along might I be?
• Where is the pregnancy located?
• What information do I still need?
• Are there health concerns I should know about?

A pregnancy test can confirm pregnancy, but it doesn’t answer every question. Depending on your situation, an ultrasound may provide additional information about gestational age, pregnancy location, and development.

Getting information is not the same thing as making a decision.

If you are pregnant, the main options are:

• Abortion
• Adoption
• Parenting

Each option involves different questions, experiences, and considerations.

You don’t have to choose an option just because you learn about it. Learning about an option does not mean you’ve committed to it.

The more you understand about each option, the easier it can be to identify the questions that matter most to you.

Community Pregnancy Center provides pregnancy options information so you can learn more before making a decision.

There is no single checklist for making a pregnancy decision.

Your situation is your situation.

You may want to think about:

• Your health
• Your relationships
• Your living situation
• School or work
• Finances
• Your future goals
• Whether you already have children
• Your support system
• What you want your life to look like
• What you are feeling about the pregnancy

You don’t have to know exactly how you feel.

You can feel excited and scared at the same time. You can have questions about parenting, adoption, or abortion and still be figuring out what you want.

Having questions does not mean you’re doing something wrong.

You don’t need a perfect list of questions. Start with what you want to know.

You might ask:

• How far along am I?
• What does each option actually involve?
• What would the timeline look like?
• What would each option mean for my health?
• What costs or practical considerations should I know about?
• What support would I have?
• What would this mean for school, work, or my relationship?
• What questions should I ask a medical provider?
• What do I need to decide now, and what can wait?

Your questions are worth asking, even if they sound obvious.

Pregnancy decisions can sometimes come with pressure from a partner, parents, friends, or other people in your life.

Someone may have strong opinions about what you should do.

You can listen to people you trust without giving them control over your decision.

If you feel threatened, controlled, or afraid of what someone may do if you make a decision they don’t agree with, consider talking with someone you trust and getting support.

You deserve space to ask questions and understand your choices.

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t figuring out what questions you have. It’s figuring out who you can ask without feeling judged or pressured.

Maybe you don’t want to tell your parents yet.

Maybe you’re worried about what your partner will say.

Maybe your friends have strong opinions.

Maybe you just don’t want to explain everything to someone who is going to tell you what they think you should do.

That’s okay.

At Community Pregnancy Center in Anchorage, you can talk through your questions in a confidential, non-judgmental environment where you can get information about your pregnancy and your options without pressure.

You don’t have to know what you want to do before you come in.

You can just start with, “I don’t know what to do. I have questions.”

If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, you deserve accurate information and space to think.

Community Pregnancy Center offers no-cost pregnancy testing, limited first-trimester ultrasounds, pregnancy options information, and confidential support.

Whether you’re just starting to ask questions or you’re already thinking about a specific option, you can come in to get information before making a decision.

Your pregnancy. Your questions. Your next step.

Getting information and making a decision are two different things.

You can start by:

1. Confirming your pregnancy.
2. Learning more about your pregnancy.
3. Understanding your options.
4. Writing down your questions.
5. Thinking about your circumstances.
6. Identifying the support you need.

Then take your next step.

You don’t have to solve your entire future in one day.

You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do before you reach out.

If you still have questions, Community Pregnancy Center is here to help you get answers.