Journal Questions to Consider When Deciding About an Unexpected Pregnancy
An unexpected pregnancy can bring many emotions, questions, and decisions. Taking time to reflect through journaling can help create space to understand your thoughts, values, beliefs, concerns, and the different options available.
Some of our past clients found helpful the journal questions that is shared through the Pregnancy Options Guide booklet, of Pregnancy Care Canada. These reflection questions encouraged them to slow down, explore their feelings, and consider what mattered most to them as they thought through their pregnancy decision.
There is no single experience or answer that applies to everyone. Every person’s situation is unique, and journaling can be a helpful tool for exploring options such as abortion, adoption, parenting, and looking ahead.
This collection of journal questions is designed to help you reflect on your circumstances, your support system, your future goals, and the possibilities in front of you.
Why Use Journaling When Deciding About an Unexpected Pregnancy?
When facing an unexpected pregnancy, many people ask:
- How do I know what decision is right for me?
- What questions should I ask myself before deciding?
- How can I understand my feelings and priorities?
- What factors should I consider when exploring my options?
Journaling does not make the decision for you, but it can help organize your thoughts and identify the things that are most important to you.
Journal Questions About Abortion
If you are considering abortion, these questions may help you reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and circumstances:
- Before getting pregnant, what did I think and feel about abortion? What do I think and feel now?
- Do I understand the different medical procedures and the possible risks? Do l have any fears or concerns?
- If I choose abortion, will this change how I view myself? What emotions might I experience?
- Is there anyone pressuring me to have an abortion?
- Would someone close to me be against my choice of abortion? How would I deal with this?
- If I choose abortion, will I feel comfortable sharing that with my partner, family, and friends?
Journal Questions About Adoption
If you are considering adoption, these questions may help you explore what this path could mean:
- Before getting pregnant, what did I think and feel about adoption? What do I think
- and feel now?
- Do I understand the difference between open and closed adoption? Is there one that I would prefer and why?
- If I choose adoption, will this change how I view myself? What emotions might I experience?
- Is there anyone pressuring me to place my baby for adoption?
- Would someone close to me be against my choice of adoption? How would I deal with this?
- If I choose adoption, what qualities would I want the adoptive parents to have?
Journal Questions About Parenting
If you are considering parenting, these questions may help you reflect on your beliefs, resources, and responsibilities:
- Before getting pregnant, what did I think about becoming a parent? What do I think and feel now?
- Do I understand what I need to be a good parent? Do I have any fears or concerns?
- If I choose to parent, will this change how I view myself? What emotions might I experience?
- Is there anyone pressuring me to keep the baby?
- Would someone close to me be against my choice to parent? How would I deal with this?
- If I want to choose this option, what resources and supports can l access?
Journal Questions About Looking Ahead
Thinking beyond the immediate decision can help you consider your future and what matters most to you.
- What are the pressures I’m feeling right now? How might these pressures or circumstances change over time?
- Has my perception or understanding of my pregnancy options changed? Do I need more information about any of the options?
- What’s important to me, no matter what?
- What are my strengths and things I’m proud of?
- What are some goals and dreams I have?
- What do I want to be doing in one year, five years, and ten years?
- Am I able to support myself? If not, do I know where I can go for support?
- Pushing any fears aside, what is my heart telling me to do?
Taking Time to Reflect
An unexpected pregnancy can bring many important decisions and emotions. Journaling can be a valuable way to explore your thoughts, identify your needs, and consider your options with greater clarity.
Whatever questions you are asking, taking time to reflect, seek accurate information, and connect with supportive people can help you move forward with greater understanding and confidence.
At Pregnancy Care Centre Toronto, we sit with you and your partner and help you genuinely understand the alternatives, including continuing the pregnancy and parenting with real support around you, or making an adoption plan. Our role is to give you accurate information, connect you to medical care, and walk with you while you decide.
Source
FAQ
Helpful questions include exploring your feelings, values, support system, future goals, and what information you need before making a decision.
Journaling can create space to slow down, organize your thoughts, process emotions, and notice what matters most to you. It can also help you identify concerns, questions, outside pressures, and areas where you may need more information or support.
You may not have all the answers today, and that is okay.
Taking time to reflect is an important step, but you do not have to do it by yourself. Pregnancy Care Centre Toronto offers free pregnancy tests, confidential support, information about your pregnancy options, and practical help as you think through what comes next. To book an appointment, call or 416-229-2607.
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“I didn’t know where to turn. That’s pretty much how I ended up coming to the Pregnancy Care Centre. I needed to speak about my emotions and my feelings, what I would do…I really had absolutely no idea.”
