If your friend told you she’s pregnant, you might be at a loss for what to say. The truth is, she’s probably not looking for the right answer to her situation. She just wants someone who she trusts to confide in and listen to her.
Here are 5 ways you can support your friend who just found out she’s unexpectedly pregnant.
How to help your friend who is pregnant.
1. Be a good listener
Finding out you’re pregnant can stir up a lot of emotions. Let your friend process what she is feeling. Listen without judgment. Your friend is seeking support, not immediate answers, advice, or opinions. Unless she asks for your thoughts, refrain from sharing your opinions.
2. Share encouraging words
If your friend is really upset, it might be tempting to say something like, “oh no, I’m so sorry! What are you going to do?”. She doesn’t need to hear a negative response that will make her more anxious. She needs your positivity and support. Try saying something like “It’s going to be okay” or “I’m here for you, you’re not alone.”
Remind her of how capable she is. Remind her of things she has overcome in the past and how she’s come out stronger. She needs to be uplifted and reassured things will be alright.
3. Assure her she’s not alone
Remind her that she’s not on this journey alone. Finding out you are pregnant when you weren’t planning on it can feel lonely, especially if the father is not involved. Remind her that she will not go through this alone. At Parkville Women’s Clinic, we are here to support her too.
4. Be sure she’s pregnant
At-home pregnancy tests are not always accurate. The best way to know for sure she is pregnant is to get a medical-grade pregnancy test and ultrasound. At Parkville Women’s Clinic we offer free pregnancy evaluations so your friend can confirm her pregnancy and find out how far along she is. These evaluations can help rule out any complications like an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage and give her a better idea of her pregnancy options.
Offer to join her at her appointment. Having someone there with her can really help.
5. Offer practical help
This newfound information can be really overwhelming. Offer to join her at her appointment, help out around the house, run errands, or bring her meals. She may experience a lot of stress as she tries to process everything.
Make sure to take care of yourself and don’t overexert yourself. Avoid making commitments or promises you can’t keep. Help where you can but don’t feel like you have to be everything for her. Mostly likely, all she needs is to know she has someone by her side.
Is your friend considering abortion?
If your friend is considering abortion, our medical professionals can provide abortion education in a safe and confidential environment. Our pregnancy evaluation and consultation will help give her peace of mind and empower her to choose what’s best for her and her situation. All of our services are free of charge, with no insurance required.
Get support at a free pregnancy evaluation & consultation
No matter what pregnancy option your friend is considering, the best next step is to schedule a pregnancy evaluation. At a pregnancy evaluation, our licensed medical professionals will confirm pregnancy, determine how far along she is, rule out any health and safety concerns, and discuss each pregnancy option and resource available.
Get real answers. Get real support.
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