It’s not easy breaking your pregnancy news to your partner, especially if your relationship is new, rocky, or uncertain. However, it will help you both move forward together.
Read on to prepare for your conversation with our top tips. You can also visit Care Net Pregnancy Centers of Albuquerque for early pregnancy services to confirm your pregnancy and learn more about your options. Schedule today — partners are always welcome.
Top Tips for Talking with Your Partner About Your Pregnancy
Share the News in a Comfortable Environment
Pick the best time and place to share the news with your partner. Choose a comfortable location when your partner isn’t in a rush. One of our recommendations is to talk with them after a meal so neither of you feels hungry, which makes a difference.
If you’re concerned about your safety, take precautions by bringing a friend with you, telling them in a public place, or sharing the news over the phone. You do not need to tell an abusive partner you’re pregnant. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support if needed.
Share the Situation and Pause
You don’t have to say a lot to your partner or have your next steps figured out. Simply share that you have found out you’re pregnant, and pause. It’s okay to sit in silence.
He might follow this up with lots of questions and emotions or process it in his head for a few minutes. Giving that breathing room is important because it helps set a calm tone for the conversation and allows your partner to think.
Manage Your Expectations
Because this pregnancy is unplanned, it’s hard to know how your partner will react until you’re in the moment. Give him the freedom to express his feelings. While you may hope your partner acts or responds a certain way, go in without expectations and see what happens.
Resist Any Immediate Pressure
If your partner reacts by trying to pressure you into choosing a certain pregnancy option, resist. Let him know that this decision will impact you the most, and you need to think through each one of your options. Pressuring you is not supportive.
However, sometimes partners will shut down and surrender the full decision to you. This action is not a supportive step either because it puts the decision entirely on your shoulders. If he reacts this way, kindly invite him into your decision-making process because you value your relationship.
It’s Hard, But You’ve Got This
Sharing the news of your unplanned pregnancy can be so challenging, but you’ve got this. It’s truly a rip-the-band-aid-off moment. Once you break the news, you can start thinking about your future together.
Schedule a confidential appointment today at one of our locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We’re here to support you and your partner during this time and verify your pregnancy and essential details. Let us be a helpful, free resource for you.