Unplanned Pregnancy: Now What?
An unplanned pregnancy brings with it a lot of emotions and decisions and you may want to have all the answers right away. So where do you begin?
First, let’s think about your brain: Did you know that when you are reacting while under stress you are not making decisions with your whole brain?
• Your “Feeling Brain”-You may have heard of a response called “fight or flight”. This is just a clever way of saying that when our brain interprets a threat it can prompt us to respond in such a way that we flee from the danger or we fight the danger. This starts in the lower portion of the brain, also known as the brain stem. Above the brain stem lives your limbic region, which is where the signals from the brain stem are interpreted. The limbic area and brainstem work together to create emotions. We call this the “feeling brain”.
• Your “Thinking Brain”- The area surrounding the “feeling brain” is called the cortex.
This is where higher functions take place like critical thinking and decision making. We will call it the “thinking brain”.
• Your “Whole Brain”- When we are at our best our “feeling brain” and our “thinking brain” are working together, allowing us to make good decisions and respond logically. During a fight or flight response, our “feeling brain” takes over and no longer communicates with our “thinking brain”. This is what leads to outbursts of anger, rash decisions or avoidance behavior.
So what does this have to do with an unplanned pregnancy? Great question!
That positive pregnancy test has now triggered your “feeling brain” and your body is preparing for fight or flight. This is what is behind the urgency you feel to make a quick decision. That feeling to find relief right now is keeping your “thinking brain” from being able to help. Unfortunately, when decisions are made using your “feeling brain” only, you usually regret them later when your “thinking brain” turns back on.
Now that you understand how your brain is working you can move on to the second step: breathe.
It is okay to slow down and take a minute to feel all of the things you are feeling. In fact, it is important in making your final decision. Give your “feeling brain” and “thinking brain” time to come back together. This looks different for everyone.
• Take a walk
• Talk with a trusted friend
• Yoga
• Meditation
Whatever method works best for you, it is important to remind yourself that you have time to just breathe and you deserve to take the time you need to process such an important decision.
Lastly, learn about your options:
At Bloom by PRC our advocates are here to help you navigate your next steps and be a listening ear in a confidential and non-judgmental way through our options counseling. Our medical staff are trained to give you complete information regarding your pregnancy and how that may impact which options are available to you through medical grade urine pregnancy testing and ultrasound, when applicable. Oh, and did I mention that these services are provided at no cost to you?
Click here to schedule an appointment or call us at 804-673-2020.
Written by:
Victoria Snead BSN, RN