Unplanned and Untimely Pregnancy

Being pregnant is an emotional and critical time in your.  If the pregnancy is unexpected, you may be feeling scared or confused.

If you believe you are pregnant and did not plan on being pregnant, this can be a very difficult time. First, you need to make sure you are pregnant. Please review the "Pregnancy tests" section of this website.  In the meantime, be sure to take good care of yourself:

* Get plenty of rest.
* Eat healthy foods.
* Get regular exercise.
* Avoid alcohol.
* Don't smoke.
* Reduce your caffeine intake.
* Stay away for drugs.
* Don't take any medications without talking to your doctor or midwife.

If your pregnancy is confirmed, you may not know what to do. It is important to remember that you have options.  You can decide to terminate the pregnancy or carry the child to term.  If you decide to carry the baby to term you will then need to decide whether to parent the child, place the child with a relative, put the child in foster care or place the child for adoption.   

It can be very difficult to decide what to do. It helps to talk to someone you trust. This can be your baby's father, a family member, or a friend. A psychologist, social worker, physician, minister or rabbi may also be helpful. Try to find someone who will not pressure you into making a decision that they want, but who will help you focus on what you think and feel is best for you and your baby. If you do not have anyone you can talk to, please feel free to contact Dr. Berger, a PhD psychologist and the developer of  this website, who has been helping others for over 40 years.

To review the information about raising the child yourself, placing the child in foster care, placing with a relative, or placing the child for adoption, clicking on each appropriate link.