Life is full of difficult conversations, but very few are more challenging than telling your parents you are pregnant. Before you say anything, you may want to confirm your pregnancy first. We can do that with free pregnancy services, including an ultrasound.
Once you’ve confirmed your pregnancy, it’s time for that conversation. Here are a few suggestions on how to get the discussion started.
First Things First – Confirm Your Pregnancy
A late period and a positive pregnancy test are not enough information to verify a viable pregnancy. Viable means your pregnancy is developing with a detectable heartbeat.
Experts estimate as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. As high as 80% of those end in the first 12 weeks. Because it takes a woman’s body time to return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels, you could get a positive pregnancy test result even after a miscarriage.
Come to PCS Health for a free pregnancy test. If it’s positive, we’ll schedule you for a free ultrasound. An ultrasound can determine if your pregnancy is viable or if you have miscarried. It can also tell how far along you are and if your pregnancy is in the correct location.
Starting the Conversation
It’s nerve-wracking not knowing how your parents are going to react. You may be frightened to tell them or not want to disappoint them. Choose a time when people aren’t stressed and running out the door.
You want to be able to have a conversation, not just dump the information in their laps. If you have concerns about their anger, choose a public location and take a trusted friend with you.
You might want to research your pregnancy options before you say anything. You have three: having an abortion, making an adoption plan, or choosing to parent. Knowing your options shows you are handling the situation maturely.
Try Not to React
You’ve had a little time to absorb the information, but remember how you felt when you first found out. Your parents will probably be shocked, disappointed, angry, scared, and everything in between. Give them time.
They will likely ask you how far along you are and if the father knows. Be prepared to give them as much information as possible.
How PCS Health Can Help You
In addition to free pregnancy testing and ultrasound, PCS Health provides STI testing. We know you don’t want to think about the possibility of having an STI, but many of them go undetected because they don’t have immediate symptoms.
Protect your health and your partner’s, too, by getting tested. All of our tests are completely confidential. We won’t notify anyone.
You can schedule an appointment by filling out our confidential online contact form. Please let us know how you would like us to contact you.
We’re here for you as long as you need us.