How to Break the News of an Unexpected Pregnancy

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.

There’s so many emotions surrounding an unexpected pregnancy; oftentimes, those emotions can be mixed to where you don’t quite know how to process what you’re feeling. Telling others, especially those you are closest to, can sometimes be filled with anxiety and unknowns. Here are a few simple steps on how to share the news with those closest to you. 

If you’re still unsure of how to approach this conversation, Avail NYC has trained client advocates who can help you process your feelings and prepare for who to share the news with. 

Give yourself time. Allow yourself the space, freedom, and grace to experience all of the many feelings surrounding your pregnancy. This life change is likely impacting you from all angles; physically, emotionally, and even mentally. 



On a piece of paper, write down the people in your life who mean the most to you. Next to their names, you can jot down how they’ve been there to support you in the past and how you might need them right now. Ensure that these are people who ‘have your back’ and have been there with you in the past when the storms have been rough. It’s important to anticipate that these people will have their own emotions to process when you tell them that you are pregnant – and that’s ok! 

The way they may initially respond will likely not be the way that they will respond long-term. It’s ok to give them a little bit of time to process, as well. However, be sure to let them know what you need and how they can be your biggest support during this time.



You might feel like you’re filled with rushing thoughts and feelings. You might feel numb. You might feel like a pendulum–swinging back and forth in the way you feel about your pregnancy–one day feeling ok, and the next day feeling like the world is crashing in around you. However you’re feeling, it’s all normal. 

Be patient with your own emotions and know that if you’re feeling ok one day, and not so much the next, you will find confidence in the right plan for your life and your future.



At Avail NYC, we want to be here with you on this journey. Our unbiased client advocates are here to support you by offering a safe place to talk through your experiences and questions, especially when facing an unexpected pregnancy. If you have further questions about who to share the news of your pregnancy with, make a free confidential appointment today. 

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.