Support

When you need support…

While the services of Pregnancy Resource Centers are primarily to assist women, there are services available to fathers. Men are welcome to visit the centers with their partner as she receives services. Pregnancy centers can offer counseling, parenting classes, information about parenting and adoption, sonograms, and post- abortion counseling. Many offer mentoring programs for fathers.
Contact a center for information (click here).

When you need to support her…

Be willing to listen. If your partner is going through an unexpected pregnancy, you may be going through an ocean of emotions yourself. As she considers options that may affect your future, you may experience similar worries, fears, hurts, hopes, and expectations. It’s important to communicate your feelings, good and bad, about the pregnancy and listen to her expression of feelings. While by law the ultimate decision of whether she carries the child to term is hers, it’s important for her to know how you feel. She needs to know that you want to be involved in decisions between parenting or placing for adoption.

You may feel guilt or regret about the pregnancy, but the past mistakes are in the past. Focus on what you can do to help in the future. Help get information on all her options, support her financially, and support her emotionally. Think of ways to prevent a future pregnancy and discuss a game plan for the future.

The most pressing issue in your mind may be whether or not you are going to stay together. If you both agree to support each other, than your relationship may even improve through this difficult time. If you agree to end the relationship, caring for her and supporting her is still important. And of course, no matter what happens to your relationship with the baby's mother, if she decides to parent, you will have a son or daughter who needs your support. If you still haven’t decided about your future relationship with the mother, be patient and understand that she has a lot of big decisions to make and that the future of your relationship may be too overwhelming for her to focus on right now.

There are many things you can do to show her that you care and that you are supportive of her. Start by making sure she receives regular prenatal care, help her get as much information as she needs and support her through her appointments. Understand she may be moody, tired, nauseous, irritable, and anxious and may just need your patient support.

Pregnancy resource centers have many professional counselors that are able to help you communicate with each other during this time. To find a center near you, click here.