Telling your parents that you’re pregnant can be an overwhelming experience, especially if the pregnancy is unplanned. It’s normal to feel nervous or scared, but remember that your parents are there to support you, no matter what. If you’re a teen or young adult woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, know that you have options and resources available to you. Below are some practical tips and encouragement for telling your parents and navigating this situation:

The list of choices one must make during this nine month journey can seem daunting and infinite. Our goal at the Ramona Women’s Clinic is to be a trusted resource for you, where you feel comfortable asking questions and sharing any concerns. Although your birth plan is the culmination of the last decisions you’ll need to make this side of pregnancy, it’s still a good idea to explore your options early on.

Once you have chosen your healthcare provider outside of our clinic, it’s important to learn what resources and options are available to you within that facility. If you have chosen to birth within a hospital, they will most commonly expect you to labor and deliver in bed. Some hospitals have showers or tubs for pain relief, however they can only be utilized if you choose to labor naturally, meaning without an epidural. This is because the epidural is an anesthetic injected into your spine relieving the pain brought by contractions; however limiting the feeling of pain simultaneously limits feeling and control of the lower half of your body. For this reason choosing to receive an epidural removes the option of moving from your bed during labor, however your relief from the pain should also subside your desire to move.

As a supposedly “safe” alternative to surgical abortion, the chemical abortion process – commonly referred to as the “abortion pill” – has become increasingly popular. And with rising access to it through online services, its popularity is only increasing. Many would praise this as a step forward for women’s health, but the reality is that it marks a dangerous shift in medical care for women. Getting the abortion pill online can be dangerous as there are many risks involved. In this post, we will discuss some of the pitfalls and potential for harm that can come from ordering the abortion pill online.

It’s important to have friends during all stages of your life, but especially during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be a time of joy, excitement, and anticipation, but it can also be a time when many women feel isolated and alone. This is perfectly natural, given the tremendous physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy. However, you shouldn’t have to face those challenges on your own. Friendships can provide the support, understanding, and love that you need during this special time. Whether you’re struggling with morning sickness or just feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of parenthood, engaged with your friends can go a long way in lightening the load and lifting your spirits.

As if the life altering act of creating an entirely new life, while seemingly sacrificing a part of yourself wasn’t enough; it seems the list of questions, concerns and unknowns grows alongside your bump. Finding clarity among the chaos of questions can seem unattainable when your mind is in a constant jump of concerns from your changing body and baby development, to birthing and parenting; and everything in between. While we seemingly have the world of information at our fingertips, sometimes the weight of the google search and conflicting results can only heighten the preexisting anxiety. 

If you’ve found yourself face to face with an unplanned pregnancy,  it can be a difficult and confusing time. It’s important to take the necessary steps to evaluate your options and make an informed decision about what is best for you.

Confirm your pregnancy first.

It is extremely important to confirm your pregnancy if you think you are facing an unplanned pregnancy. A pregnancy test can help give you clarity and understanding of the situation. Ramona Women’s Clinic offers free lab-quality pregnancy tests that are quick and accurate. Additionally, limited ultrasounds are available to help further confirm your pregnancy and potentially determine how far along you are. If you’re ready to confirm your pregnancy, contact us to get scheduled!

Know all of your options.

When talking about pregnancy, there are three main options to consider: parenting, adoption, and abortion.