When your friend found out she was unexpectedly pregnant, feelings of fear, confusion, and isolation likely overwhelmed her. 

Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy is difficult, and your choosing to step up and support your friend can truly show her how much you care for her. 

You may want to help but are unsure of what to say or do. This is natural- don’t beat yourself up about this. 

Below are some tips to help you talk with your friend and show her your support as she faces the reality of her unplanned pregnancy and decides how to move forward. 

Be A Good Listener 

First, give your friend your full attention. Putting away your phone and maintaining eye contact can be an excellent way to show that you are invested in the conversation and genuinely care about what your friend has to say.

Allowing your friend to process her emotions externally can help her understand why she feels the way she does about her pregnancy. For example, if your friend says she is worried, ask, “What worries you about your pregnancy the most?” 

Avoid Judgment 

The feelings surrounding an unplanned pregnancy are very unique. Even if you have been pregnant before and think you might understand what your friend is going through, be careful to listen and not assume how she might be feeling. 

Many times when a friend is in this situation, it is important to remember that emotions are usually heightened due to the pregnancy already. This can cause your friend to automatically become defensive and you want to remain calm and supportive in her time of uncertainty. 

Help Her Learn More about Her Options

Encouraging your friend to learn more about her pregnancy and options is a great way to support her. 

Seeking medical care will allow her to get all the facts about her pregnancy and help her understand how to move forward best. For example, while the abortion pill often seems like the easiest option, some side effects and risks can impact her physical and mental health.

Additionally, you can share with your friend that professional counseling or speaking with a faith leader are also valuable options that can allow her to make peace with her pregnancy. 

Provide Practical Support 

While talking with your friend is the first step, offering to attend appointments with her or give her a ride might provide her with the comfort she needs. The physical act of being by her side can provide the same sense of the feeling of having support after the baby is born. 

Also, doing small things like bringing her dinner or cleaning her house can be a huge help. The shock of her pregnancy news and her upcoming decisions can make day-to-day tasks feel like too much to handle. Increased fatigue will likely be a factor also, so any help you can lend can help to bring a sigh of relief. 

Help Her Get the Support She Needs

Salem Pregnancy Care Center provides services to help your friend learn more about her pregnancy. A free lab-quality pregnancy test and limited obstetric ultrasound will provide the information she needs to understand her options better, as well as receive educational and practical resources for use during and after her pregnancy. 

Our trusted medical team is here to answer her questions, listen to her concerns, and provide her with resources to support her. 

She can contact us today to schedule her confidential appointment with our team.