How to Recover from a Surprise Pregnancy

Finding out you are pregnant is an emotional moment whether you are trying to get pregnant or not. You must suddenly begin to look ahead to a different life, including a great deal of responsibility. Recovering from a surprise pregnancy can be extremely difficult. It takes time, a lot of thought and may involve help and support from your partner or your friends and family.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Journal or tape recorder
• Prenatal vitamins
• Pregnancy tea

1. Explore your feelings. Trudge through all of them, good and bad, and try to understand what you are feeling and why you feel that way.
2. Write your feelings down or speak them out loud and record them on a tape recorder. Writing or talking through your feelings will help you to grasp what you are feeling and will enable you to push forward through the progression of inevitable ups and downs.
3. Allow your feelings to exist. Cry if you feel like crying. Laugh if you feel like laughing. Scream if you feel like screaming. Give your partner a hug if you are happy or excited. Take a long walk by yourself if you are confused or doubtful. It is okay and acceptable to be scared or upset. It is also okay to be anxious and eager about the future. Your emotions will vacillate, not only because your hormones will alter due to the pregnancy but also because you will have to drastically change your life unexpectedly.
4. Tell someone you trust about the pregnancy. Even if you decide to wait before telling your family and friends, it is imperative that you tell at least one person who is close to you. This person should be someone other than your partner so you can feel free to express all of your emotions without hurting your partner’s feelings or instilling any fear or anger in him.
5. Buy items that will enable you to remain healthy. Start taking prenatal vitamins. Drink pregnancy tea. Pay attention to what you eat. If you remember that you are already responsible for the life and health of your baby, you will begin the bonding process early.
6. Meditate on your baby. Sit still and feel her presence inside your body. Focus on the beauty of a new life instead of wallowing in any negative emotions you may experience.
7. Begin to interact with your baby. Place your hands on your belly and talk to him out loud. Write him letters or read books and poetry to him. Start a savings account for him. Help yourself accept the fact that he exists by spending time with him.
8. Sleep. Treat yourself to rest. Don’t feel guilty for staying in bed all day on your day off. Your body will go through extreme and difficult changes, and you will be exhausted. Getting enough rest will help both you and your baby through these intense months.