If you have had a positive pregnancy test, you now need to think about what you want to do:
- Continue with the pregnancy and keep the baby (you can ask about extra support available, if needed)
- Continue with the pregnancy and have the baby adopted
- End the pregnancy by having an abortion
You may wish to talk to family and friends about your options, or it might be easier to talk to someone who is not so close to you.
If you would like to talk to someone at our Pregnancy Advisory clinic, please call the Central Booking line for an appointment to discuss your options and feelings 0345 872 5435(7am-8pm daily) or complete the online booking form.
- Things to think about
When you are making your decision about what to do, sometimes thinking about some of these things listed below can help:
- Your life now: What is important to you at the moment? These things may include family, friends, job or education.
- Your future: What are your hopes and aims for the future? Think about all aspects of your life.
How would these things be affected by:
- Continuing with the pregnancy and becoming a parent
- Continuing with the pregnancy and choosing adoption
- Ending the pregnancy by having an abortion
- Continue with the pregnancy
You will be able to access antenatal care. This is usually done by contacting your GP.
If you are not registered with a GP at the moment, click here to find your nearest GP and register as soon as possible.
Things to think about in the meantime while waiting for your first appointment are:
- Healthy eating and exercise
- Taking folic acid and vitamin D – these can be bought from any supermarket or pharmacy
- Stopping smoking
- Cutting out, or down on, alcohol
- Stopping recreational drug use
- Whether any medicines you’re taking are safe in pregnancy. If you have any concerns about this speak to your GP. Do not stop any medications without discussing with your GP
- Getting advice and testing for sexually transmitted infections. You can order a Unity testing kit here
- Adoption
Adoption may be a choice for you if you do not want to become a parent, but also do not want an abortion.
Adoption is a way of giving a child new parents when you feel unable to look after the child yourself.
To discuss the option of adoption, you should still register via your GP for antenatal care (see the section above “Continue with the pregnancy”) and discuss adoption with either your GP, midwife or local social services.
More information on adoption can be found here or see the section “Where can I find out more information?”
- Abortion
Legal abortion is a safe way of ending a pregnancy. This is a decision you would make because you do not want to continue with the pregnancy.
Abortion is legal in the UK. 1 in 3 women will have an abortion before the age of 45 years old.
For more information on how to have an abortion in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire, click here.