Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be difficult, and when you don’t have the support of your partner, it can feel even more overwhelming.
Maybe you can’t even think clearly about your pregnancy when others bombard you with their opinions.
At times, pressure from others to abort can make you question your own decision, but remember, it is your body and your future. No one, not even your partner, has the right to decide your pregnancy but you.
Is My Partner Pressuring Me?
Sometimes, pressure from your partner is obvious, while other times, it’s more subtle.
Pressure from your partner can be direct. For example, they may make statements about leaving you, threatening to harm you, or giving you ultimatums.
In other cases, your partner may show more indirect pressure by ignoring you or saying they don’t want to help care for the child.
While indirect pressure may feel less aggressive, no type of pressure is ok. You need to recognize what is going on and address it.
Calling pressure what it is can help you differentiate your feelings about the pregnancy from your partner’s feelings and ensure that your judgment is not clouded.
It’s your pregnancy, body, and future, so the decision is yours.
Responding to Your Partner
Listed below are some essential steps when discussing your pregnancy with your partner.
- Protect yourself: If your partner has threatened to harm you or you feel physically or emotionally unsafe, call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. If you are in immediate danger, leave right away and call 911.
- Set boundaries: Be clear with your partner that you will not be coerced into making a decision you do not want to make. Communicate calmly and clearly that this is your and no one else’s decision.
- Inform yourself: Before talking with your partner, it can be helpful to learn more about the details of your pregnancy with an ultrasound. This can help you gather the necessary information to understand your options better and equip you to talk with your partner.
- Get help: When you and your partner can’t agree, having a calm and civil conversation can be difficult. Bringing along a friend, family member, or even a counselor to act as a mediator can ensure that the discussion is productive and that you all give each other space to share your thoughts.
- Give them time: Just like you were likely flooded with a variety of emotions when you found you were pregnant, your partner may be feeling the same way. Allowing your partner time to process their feelings and making space for follow-up conversations can be helpful.
Get the Support You Need
While you may not receive the support you deserve from your partner, the staff at Hope Place Monticello is here to walk with you every step of the way as you navigate your pregnancy.
We want to help you learn more about your pregnancy, better understand your options, and give tips about talking with your partner.
Getting details about the viability and age of your pregnancy is critical for your health and safety before making a decision about your pregnancy. Our trusted medical team can provide you with a lab-quality pregnancy test and a referral for an ultrasound scan, all at no cost to you.
We provide a safe space to ask questions about your pregnancy and express your concerns about talking with your partner.
Additionally, we have resources to educate you about what it looks like to parent or place your child for adoption.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.