"Your future -- how you feel about it, yourself, and everything else -- follows from the decisions you make, the priorities you develop, and the perspective you see things through."

- David Niven, PhD.
101 Secrets of Happy People

The results are in. Your pregnancy test is positive. Now what do you do?

Before you had the test you may have been holding onto the hope that what you felt inside your body was “just your imagination,” but now there is no doubt that what you felt is a new life beginning to grow. You have taken a courageous step in facing the truth about your situation. You don't have to face this situation alone. The people at the pregnancy help center know how to help you, and are there to give you support and guidance.

Over the next few weeks days and weeks you will make many important choices. Some will seem fairly easy, some will be harder. It helps to get advice from people you trust, but in the end the choices are yours.

Let’s consider some choices:

Choices for a Healthy Pregnancy
Even though you may not have planned this pregnancy and may be reeling emotionally from the choices and changes that will face you, you have the ability to bring tremendous good out of this situation. You can have a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. You can ensure that your baby is off to the best possible start. It’s never too late to start taking good care of yourself and your baby!

Everything you do affects the health of you and your baby. You may not see or feel anything yet, but the baby inside you is living and growing rapidly. You really are eating and exercising for two!

Here are some important considerations:

Healthy Eating. Drinking milk and eating more fruits and vegetables will help your baby be strong and healthy when he or she is born.
Prenatal Care. You should have regular checkups with a doctor who will make sure you and your baby are healthy and are getting the vitamins you need.
Quitting smoking, drinking alcohol, and illegal drug use. These activities will not help you “handle the stress” better-actually they are harmful for you and your baby.

Adapted from: Focus on the Family - Choices for a Healthy Pregnancy.

Choices for the Future
You may feel scared and overwhelmed right now about the idea of becoming a mother. This possibly is not the plan you had for your life right now-maybe for some other time in the future. It’s very important that you take the time you need to make an informed decision. The decisions you make in the next few days or months will be decisions that will affect the rest of your life.

There are several choices you can make for your baby’s and your future. You don't have to make that decision today. It’s important to take time to consider all your options. Your counselor and your support system can help you make a choice that’s best for you and your baby.

Choices to Consider

Single Parenting. Some women have strong support systems and choose to single parent. It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice over the years to raise a child, especially for single mothers. This choice requires a well-thought out plan and a life time of commitment, but brings the joy of being with your child through out his or her life.
Marriage to the Baby’s Father. If you are already planning on getting married and are in a healthy relationship this may be the best choice for you. However, it is not necessarily a good idea to get married just because you are pregnant. This choice presents many joys and challenges as a new family is formed.
Adoption. Many women are choosing adoption plans for their babies. It is a way for them to give their children what they feel they are unable to provide by themselves-a two parent home and a stable environment with financial security. This choice requires a well-thought our plan and sacrificial love. It brings the satisfying knowledge that you have been a good mother by meeting your child’s needs by providing him or her with a family.

Adapted from: Life Choices - Paula Smith

Every choice we make in life has consequences. Some take us down a path towards destruction. Some start out feeling hard or bitter, but in the end help us to grow stronger and become more responsible. Some bring sweetness and joy into our lives.

Even if some of your past choices have lead to painful circumstances, it is not too late for you to start fresh to make choices that lead to growth and joy for you and your baby. You have the chance to make a choice for a lifetime.

Because we care...