Decisions, Decisions Deciding can be hard. This section contains questions and exercises that can help you work through your decision-making process. Finding out that you're pregnant can be a shock, even for women who have been trying to get pregnant. Many emotions may surface: excitement, fear, joy, confusion and loneliness. You may wonder how it could have happened, or feel sorrow that it had to happen now. You might feel relief, or even gratitude that you can conceive. These feelings are only natural. It helps to let them come up, because eventually they'll help you decide what to do. For many women, reaching a decision is the single most difficult part of an unplanned pregnancy. In fact, it's probably one of the biggest decisions you'll ever have to make in your life. To make things even harder, you may not have all the time you'd like to decide what to do. Take a deep breath. You may find yourself considering the needs, wants and values of others. While a good decision takes into account the many people and factors surrounding you and your pregnancy, remember: this is your decision! "If you follow your deepest sense of what is right for you (as an individual or a couple), then you will come to a decision that you can live with, even if other people call it irrational, immoral or impractical." Joy Gardner, in A Difficult Decision. As you work through your decision-making process, you may find that writing a journal will help you keep track of your thoughts and clarify your feelings. The following are steps in the decision-making process. Pick and choose the steps that are helpful to you. * confirming the pregnancy * calculating how much time you have to decide * deciding to decide * reviewing the options * identifying feelings * talking the isssues over * checking in with reality * identifying resources * assessing the consequences * making a decision and committing to it If there's a possibility that you might want to carry your pregnancy to term, it's a good idea to see a doctor and begin prenatal care as soon as you can. If you are considering the possibility of having an abortion, it's a good idea to schedule an appointment with an abortion clinic or with a doctor as soon as possible - even if you haven't made up your mind yet. If you wait to make your appointment until you're certain, you might find yourself on a three-week waiting list, which can be very stressful. In addition, an extra three weeks may take you into the second trimester, at which time abortion carries an increased (but still small) chance of risks and complications. Other Internet decision-making resources: National Abortion Federation Unsure About Your Pregnancy? A Guide To Making the Right Decision for You www.prochoice.org/pregnant/unsure.htm Southern Tier Women's Services Pregnant? Need Help? Pregnancy Options Workbook www.gynpages.com/workbook Planned Parenthood What if I am Pregnant? www.plannedparenthood.org/womenshealth/whatifpregnant.htm
	If you have questions about the decision-making process, please drop us a line. skye@prochoiceconnection.com