My Girlfriend is Pregnant, Now What?

My Girlfriend is Pregnant, Now What?

  1. She’s pregnant. It’s not what you planned to hear, and it’s okay to feel stunned, scared, or unsure. In moments like this, you might not have total control, but you do have real influence. How you respond right now can say more about your character than almost anything else in your life so far.

    That’s why it’s important to slow down, take a breath, and respond instead of react. This blog will help you understand what she may be feeling, what your next steps could be, and where you can go from here.

    Is My Girlfriend Pregnant?

    Before making any big decisions, it’s important to know for sure if your girlfriend is actually pregnant. The first step is a pregnancy test.

    If she needs one, The Pregnancy Center of Dillon County offers lab-quality pregnancy testing at no cost to her.

    If the test is positive, the next step is an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy.

    Why is that important? A positive test only detects a hormone linked to pregnancy. It doesn’t show whether the pregnancy is viable or how far along she is.

    The Pregnancy Center of Dillon County can help guide her on how to find an ultrasound during her visit.

    What Not To Do When Your Girlfriend Is Pregnant

    It’s normal to feel like everything is spinning out of control right now. Let’s start with a few things that will only make things harder.

    Don’t Walk Away

    When stress hits, the natural reaction is fight or flight. Try to resist the urge to check out or run. She’s dealing with intense emotions and physical changes that may already feel overwhelming. Staying present—just showing up—matters more than you think.

    Don’t Fight

    Tension is high for both of you, which makes arguments tempting. Try to listen more than you talk. Affirm her feelings instead of trying to fix them.

    You don’t need all the answers. What she needs most is your steady, calm presence.

    What Options Are There?

    When it comes to the pregnancy itself, the decision ultimately belongs to her. In most cases, a woman can:

    • Carry the pregnancy and parent

    • Carry the pregnancy and make an adoption plan

    • End the pregnancy through abortion

    About 60% of unmarried women in the U.S. choose to carry, while around 40% choose abortion.¹

    Abortion is a serious and often emotional decision. Research shows that women who feel pressured by a partner to abort are more likely to experience lasting grief, trauma, or regret.² Never pressure her.

    It’s her body and her choice—but she shouldn’t have to face it alone. The best thing you can do is create space for honest conversations about her feelings, your future, and your shared values.

    “I’m Not Ready To Be A Dad.”

    You might not be against becoming a dad one day—you just didn’t picture that day being today. That’s understandable.

    No one ever feels completely ready. Fatherhood has a way of calling out strength and purpose you didn’t know you had. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be willing to keep showing up and learning as you go.

    Being a great dad starts with your attitude, not perfection. Are you available? Are you willing to grow? That’s what matters most.

    Don’t let worries about money, freedom, or the future convince you that you can’t do this. There are local programs, resources, and people ready to help. And for most men, once their child arrives, those old fears fade fast.

    Plenty of men regret walking away from fatherhood. Few ever regret stepping into it.

    Support in Dillon, SC

    You don’t have to do this alone. The Pregnancy Center of Dillon County is here for both of you. The center provides:


    All services are confidential and offered at no cost.

    Sources

     

    1. 1. https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/unintended-pregnancy-and-abortion-northern-america
    2. 2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/08862605241253026