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So, you’ve done a positive pregnancy test and it’s not the happy euphoric feeling that most people get. Maybe you’re a teenager who was just having a bit of fun or didn’t think pregnancy could happen to you. Maybe you’re a young career woman who still has a lot to accomplish before settling down and starting a family. Maybe you’re not in the ideal relationship or financial situation to support a child. There are countless scenarios where an unplanned pregnancy can occur and you will need to think long and hard about the decision that you will need to make. The worst thing you can do at this point is to bury your head in the sand and pretend this problem will go away because it won’t and don’t let the fact that you are not obviously pregnant fool you. There is help and advice out there for you so do not be afraid to seek it out. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t know rather than a friend or a member of your family.
Whichever decision you make will have an impact on the rest of your life, therefore you must try and make the most well informed decision you can by researching each of the following three choices.

Becoming a mother
The choice to continue with a pregnancy when you know it is not the ideal choice is a very brave decision to make. Becoming a mother will be the hardest job you will ever do and will be fraught with stress, worry and heartache but also it is a wonderful feeling to hold your new born baby and contemplate the joy and wonder of what this tiny human being will bring to your lives.

Adoption
To continue with your pregnancy knowing that you will not keep your baby at the end of it is a very difficult thing to do and whilst this may be the right decision for you at the start of your pregnancy you may change your mind as your pregnancy progresses. However, if you feel that your circumstances would not be able to provide a safe or stable life for your baby then you may consider adoption whereby handing over your baby to adoptive parents who are in a better situation than you may be the best option for you and your baby. This is very selfless and generous thing to do but be aware that once you have made the choice to have your baby adopted and suitable parents are found it will be an almost irreversible choice.

Abortion
Probably the hardest option to consider is having your pregnancy terminated. This has both physical and emotional implications for you and should not be undertaken without knowing all the facts. There are a few types of abortion procedures depending on how far you are in your pregnancy. The least invasive are the ones performed during the 1st trimester (before 12 weeks.) You should try and speak to people who have had an abortion and find out how it was for them and also speak to a professional counselor who will answer your questions. Make sure you know exactly what will happen to you during the surgery so you are not left feeling out of control of the situation.

The emotional effects of an abortion will outlast the physical and you may feel the following:
• Guilt
• Depression
• Flashbacks of the termination
• Regret
• Loss
There are many websites that offer more detailed information on all of the above. Remember however that abortion is not legal in all countries and therefore having a ‘backstreet’ abortion in a country where it is not, is likely to put your life at risk with unclean equipment, unqualified surgeons and no professional guidance to help you through the ordeal.

Remember this is your decision and your decision alone. Try not to let anyone pressurize you into making a decision that you may regret. At the end of the day, it is your body and only you can choose what the best thing is to do. It is always a good idea to listen to what your gut instinct is telling you as this is often the right decision for you regardless of other external factors.

Try and ask yourself the following questions:
• Deep down, do I want this baby?
• How will I support the baby financially?
• Who will look after the baby when I go back to school/go back to work?
• Will the father of my child support me?
• Will I be able to cope looking after a child of my own?
• How will my family react?
Remember you do not have to be alone in this situation. Do not be afraid to ask for help and advice when making your decision.