How You Can Thrive With The News Of A Surprise Pregnancy

You’ve found yourself unexpectedly pregnant, now what? I’ve been there and want to show you how to thrive with the news of a surprise pregnancy.

Whether you never planned to have children, or just weren’t planning to have children right now, the news of an unexpected pregnancy can be overload on the brain.

I’ve been there and I’ll be the first to admit that it’s huge news to wrap your mind around!

I was the girl who never desired to have a baby.

My husband and I went into marriage never planning on having kids, but after eight years of marriage the Lord chose a different plan for our lives and I found myself pregnant.

To say I was in utter shock at the news of this surprise pregnancy would be an understatement!

How To Thrive With The News Of A Surprise Pregnancy

It took a long time for me to adjust to the fact that I was pregnant and truly going to have a baby. These 7 tips are what helped me and it is my prayer that they will help you thrive with your life changing news too!

1. Have a Support System Around You

A support system is vital when wrapping your mind around the news of a surprise pregnancy.

You need someone that will listen when you need to talk and share your fears, give a shoulder to cry on when you don’t know how you’re going to go on, and laugh with you when you’re being downright silly. (Yes, you will likely feel all of these feelings during your pregnancy!)

Your support system can be friends or family members, but it’s imperative that they are trustworthy and will keep what you share to themselves. This is already a difficult road and you don’t want someone going out and sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings with the entire world!

2. Throw Yourself A Pity Party, But Move On

To be totally honest, I had to throw myself quite a few pity parties.

And guess what? That’s totally okay!

When you feel like you need to sit in the corner and cry, do it. But don’t stay in the corner crying.

Throw yourself a pity party and move on!

3. Find Your Own Normal As You Wrap Your Head Around Being Pregnant

Once the news of your pregnancy starts getting out, everyone will begin tell you about their surprise pregnancy.

Let me just say that this journey of finding out that you’re all of the sudden going to be mom when you never planned to is different for everyone!

What helped Susan wrap her brain around the news of her surprise pregnancy may not work for you.

It may have taken Jane a short amount of time to be okay with the thought of having a baby in her life, but it may take you 7 months (or more if you’re like me).

As everyone tells their stories just listen, smile and then move on.

Do the best you can to find your own normal, whatever that looks like.

Give yourself healthy expectations as you walk this new road and try not to compare yourself to anyone else or how long it took them to adjust to the news of being pregnant.

4. Get Out Of The House

If you’re an introvert like me, your tendency is to coop yourself up in your house.

I understand that you don’t want to get out because you want to be by yourself and don’t want to have to talk to anyone about “the big news.”

But let me just encourage you to get out…go for a walk, sit out in the sun and read a book, go to the mall and watch people.

Just.do.something!

5. Let Your Feelings Out

Keeping your feelings and emotions inside isn’t healthy (for you or your baby).

Whether you let it out by talking it out with your support system, writing in a journal or crawling in your bed and having a good cry, let your deep, dark feelings out.

And, friend, I want you to know that whatever you’re feeling is ok!

Cry out to God and share what you’re feeling with Him. I promise He can handle whatever you share.

Not only will it be healthy for you to release your pent up emotions and feelings, but it will also be healthier for that little one growing inside of you.

6. Get Your Mind Off Of Yourself And Being Pregnant

There are a ton of ways to get your mind off of yourself, but here are my favorites.

Fill your mind with positive things by listening to your favorite, uplifting music (I love listening to KLove) or reading scriptures.

If you’re not sure where to start with the scriptures I recommend that you start with the Psalms. They have been such a comfort to me as I’ve walked down difficult roads in my life. (Grab a copy of my 30 day Psalms reading plan here.)

Do something for someone else by serving at your church or in your community.

Visit an elderly friend or family member that would love nothing more than to have someone to talk to.

Grab a meal with a friend that’s going through a hard time herself.

7. Seek Professional Help Through A Counselor

I’m an advocate of professional counseling!

In fact, I say that everyone should go to counseling whether they think they have problems or not.

I may not have needed professional counseling to help me work through my surprise pregnancy, but there was a time in my life when I did see a counselor on a regular basis.

The counseling sessions were the best thing I could have done for myself because she not only helped me work through some difficult situations but equipped me for the future.

All that to say, don’t be embarrassed if you need someone to talk to other than your support system.

Sister-friend, I totally get that it feels like your life will never be normal again.

Your world has been turned upside down with the news of your surprise pregnancy, and it’s okay to feel this way.

No, your life will never be the same as it was again, but I promise that you’re going to make it through this unexpected pregnancy.

It might be minute-by-minute or be month-by-month but just take one step at a time.

You are not alone in your surprise pregnancy!!!

I’m here to encourage you through this journey so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to (or just listen)!

If this helped you as you adjust to the news of a surprise pregnancy, you might also like:

• Let these Bible verse about hope encourage you as you walk down a difficult road.
• If you’re overcome with fear fill your mind with these uplifting Christian songs about fear.
• Want to pray but the words won’t come? Pray this when you don’t know what to pray.