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Helping you make an informed decision.
Pregnancy Resource Center East
On the flip side, life changes can bring stresses that can cause changes in your hormones. For a woman, that can mean an upset in her monthly periods. Periods can become so heavy that they're life-threatening. Periods might also stop altogether for a while.
There are several conditions/ situations that could cause pregnancy-related symptoms like missed periods, weight gain, nausea, etc.:
Signs of Pregnancy:
- missed period
- nausea and vomiting
- breast tenderness
- frequent urination
- feeling tired
- mood swings
If your pregnancy test is negative, you probably still need to see your doctor to assess your health and determine the cause of your symptoms. If your test is positive, you should visit an appropriate health care provider, like an OB/GYN. Your doctor may request an ultrasound exam to confirm the status of your pregnancy. This information is important whether you are considering abortion or continuing with your pregnancy. It is also part of the pre-abortion counseling you can receive at the Pregnancy Resource Center East.
Above all, remember that you are special. You deserve to know and understand all that is happening to your body and all the options that are available to you. Don't just jump at the first solution that arises. It may not be what's best for you or your baby. Some solutions seem to take care of present circumstances, but in the long run, they could cause even bigger problems.
ask questions ..... get answers
be informed ..... think it through
one decision ..... many lives
make an informed choice
Situations in life
can cause
hormonal changes
Hormonal changes
can cause
changes in health & periods
Open adoption:
There are 3 big lies that have plagued adoption in the past:
- Lie #1 - Adoption equals abandonment.
- Lie #2 - Adoption equals deception.
- Lie #3 - Adoption equals an unbearable sacrifice.
for her
This page was last updated: January 28, 2009
So, you think you may be pregnant.
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be experiencing strong feelings of fear, confusion and anger. You may be wondering what you are going to do. Perhaps there are well-meaning people in your life giving you advice - some good, some not-so-good.
You need to take some time and sort things out. Facing an unplanned pregnancy is hard, but there are positive options. You must remember that your decision will affect several lives, not just your own. We want to help you understand all your options so you can make an informed decision. The Pregnancy Resource Center is here to help you through this difficult, confusing time.
Take the time to think things through. Investigate all options. Make an informed decision. Do what is best for you, and your baby.
To help you sort things out, we have some basic questions to ask you. We are trying to provide as much information as possible, so we've included hyperlinks to additional information on each subject. Just click on the underlined words to learn more.
First of all, are you sure you're pregnant?
As a woman, there are many stages that your body goes through during your lifetime. At each of these stages, your body chemistry (mainly your hormones) changes. Sometimes those changes can be hardly noticeable, but sometimes they are life-changing. They can cause mood swings, mental/emotional issues and health issues.
If you're not sure whether you are pregnant or not, you should have a pregnancy test. Our Center offers FREE, CONFIDENTIAL self-administered pregnancy tests 5 days a week. Until you can verify your pregnancy through a conventional pregnancy test, try one of the interactive on-line tests that assess the probability of pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, what are your options?
Parenting the child yourself:
The first option to consider is parenting the baby yourself. It may seem frightening to consider if you're alone or experiencing financial hardships. However, you're not in this alone. There are many people who support the Pregnancy Resource Center East and other centers just like it all over the country.
At the PRCE, we have the HOPE program that provides loving, caring support to young mothers and their babies, up to the age of 1 year. Clients can receive maternity and baby items through the HOPE store and nutritional and parenting training in the classes, and that's just the beginning. The HOPE program attempts to remove any barriers preventing a woman from parenting her baby.
In addition to helping women with parenting skills, the PRCE also offers something for the dads. There are Daddy Classes and male counselors that offer training and support from a guy's point of view.
The decision you must make right now is not going to be an easy one, no matter what you do. However, you must weigh all the options and decide what is the best decision for you and your baby.
Truth #1 - Adoption is NOT abandonment. Adoption is one of the most loving, unselfish acts a woman can consider. There are countless childless couples who desparately want a family. With open adoptions, you can choose the couple that will raise your child based on ethnic background, religion, socio-economic standing and more. You have the power to ensure that your child is placed in a good home where he/she will receive love and be raised in the manner that you choose. You can also pick a family that will allow you to have as much or as little contact with the child as he/she is growing up.
Truth #2 - Adoption is NOT deception. TV shows and magazines these days glamorize the concept of single motherhood. That is deceptive. Actresses and models make considerably more than the average single mother living below the poverty level and they can afford to hire help in raising the babies they are raising. The thing that those magazines and TV shows don't mention is the affect on the children of being raised in a single-parent home. The statistics about the effects of fatherlessness on children is anything but glamorous.
Truth #3 - Adoption does NOT require an unbearable sacrifice. Again, today more and more adoptions are open adoptions. The biological mother has the power to choose the adoptive family and can stipulate that she be allowed visitation. She can become another member of the family - almost like an aunt to the child. While it is a sacrifice to give up your child, it is an unselfish act when it is done to ensure that your child will receive a stable, secure family who will love him/her and provide all the necessities of life.
Take a look at some common concerns and questions. There are also some great sites for birth mothers and adoptive mothers to find support or for pregnant women to ask questions about adoption. Check out these resources on adoption, including steps to take and things for the birthmother to consider while planning the adoption.
Abortion:
Finally, we come to the option of abortion. There's a lot of hearsay concerning this option and what is really involved. If you are considering having an abortion, then you need to know your legal rights (according to state and federal law) and understand the different procedures and their possible complications. Abortion is not as "easy" as many people pretend it is. The Pregnancy Resource Center East provides pre-abortion counseling (one of your legal rights), including free ultrasound. Check our Info Links page for more sites containing relevant information.
During your pre-abortion counseling session, be sure to go through a pre-abortion health and safety checklist with someone who can explain everything to you. Especially on the following points:
- Be absolutely certain that you are pregnant before you make an appointment for an abortion. Things other than pregnancy may delay your menstrual period.
- Understand that an abortion may involve taking potent medications or having surgery. The techniques used may impact your health and well-being. You have the right to receive accurate information before you proceed with the abortion.
- Have the doctor explain the technique that he or she recommends to you. Then research that method and understand all that is involved. Know and understand the physical health risks associated with the abortion technique that is recommended to you. The immediate and long-term effects should be explained to your level of understanding.
- Be sure to tell someone that you are going to have an abortion. There are very serious possible complications from the abortion procedure and your life could be in danger. Don't keep it a secret.
You should also understand that there are real emotional, physical and spiritual after-effects to consider with abortion. You should understand what Post Abortion Stress Syndrome is and be aware of it's signs and symptoms. Seek help if you have these symptoms after an abortion. It is serious and there are people who can help you recover.
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