Pregnancy wasn’t a part of your plan.  

Telling your partner about an unexpected pregnancy can cause a lot of anxiety, especially if you don’t know how they will react. Just know you’re not alone. Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. That means many women have been in your exact shoes before. 

Here are a few helpful tips on how to tell your partner you’re unexpectedly pregnant.  

How do I tell my partner about an unplanned pregnancy?  

1. Confirm you’re pregnant first

It might be a good idea to confirm your pregnancy before you have a conversation with your partner. Sometimes pregnancy symptoms and at-home pregnancy tests aren’t always accurate. The best way to confirm you’re pregnant is to see a medical provider. 

Thrive Savannah offers an online pregnancy test to determine if you are showing pregnancy symptoms. We also offer free, confidential medical-grade pregnancy tests that are 99% accurate.  

Confirm your pregnancy by scheduling an appointment today. 

2. Figure out what you’re feeling

3. Plan to tell your partner in person

Communicating in person will eliminate any misunderstandings and help you both process this information together.  

Pick a time and place that is private and allows time to talk through both of your feelings together. Don’t share that you’re pregnant when you both are rushing out the door or either of you are in a bad mood. 

Try to use words that don’t put all the responsibility on yourself. You both were a part of making this pregnancy possible. When you share the news, you can use phrases like, “We’re pregnant” or “We’re having a baby”. This communicates this situation requires both of you to accept and respond to it. 

4. Be open and honest

It’s important to be fully open and honest with your partner about how you are feeling. Tell him your worries and what you would like to do about the pregnancy. Tell him that you really value his true feelings and opinions and want his input. 

5. Give space for his reaction

Give him time to process this information. Remember you’ve had some time to process this information…this is his first time hearing it. 

If he responds negatively, give him some space. His initial reaction might not be true to what his intentions and feelings towards the pregnancy are long-term.  

If the conversation starts to escalate or you feel threatened in any way, remove yourself from the situation. 

You might be thinking, “What if he leaves?” 

If he decides to walk away from you and the pregnancy, we are sincerely sorry. You deserve so much better. Perhaps you can find some peace in knowing you deserve someone who supports you no matter what and it’s obvious by his reaction that he can’t be that for you.  

Your support system doesn’t have to look like just your partner. Family and friends can be great people to lean on. Our staff at Thrive Savannah is also here for you.  

6. Discuss next steps together

If you want your partner to be involved in this pregnancy, talk about what next steps might look like. Discuss what you envision the future to look like and what you are going to do to get there. Maybe your next steps can look like telling your parents together or having him attend your future appointments.  

If your partner is pressuring you to get an abortion but you aren’t sure, read how to handle this decision here.  

A great next step is to visit Thrive Savannah to determine your pregnancy options and next steps. 

Whether you are looking for pregnancy options, a medical-grade pregnancy test, an ultrasound, or someone to talk through your unexpected pregnancy with, we are here for you.  

We offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and STD testing and treatment. No insurance required.  

Make an informed and empowered pregnancy decision today.