If you are pregnant before you had planned to be, you may be asking yourself, “Am I ready to be a parent?” While there is no easy answer, some things to consider are:
Do I have support from my family or the baby’s father?
You may feel alone with your decision, but in many cases, someone in your family will support you once they understand your desire to parent your baby. A parent, grandparent, or friend may be willing to help watch your baby while you are at school or work. Even if you are not currently in a relationship with your baby’s father, many couples find ways to co-parent successfully.
Can I put college or career plans on hold temporarily if needed?
Many women continue to attend school or college while pregnant and after giving birth. It is not easy, but with support, you can do it. Becoming a parent does not mean your life is over, but your life will look different than what you may have expected. We have met many women who say having their baby was the best decision they could have made.
What are the benefits of parenting?
Having a child is a life-changing experience. Talk to any parent, and you will hear that becoming a parent was one of the most life-altering events of their lives. Having a child may feel scary, but Mercy is here to help you learn how to be a parent.
Some of the benefits of parenting include:
- Giving life to your child
- Becoming a family
- Watching your child grow up
- Raising your child
- The opportunity to break family cycles of dysfunction
- Your child will know their biological family
- Building a lifelong relationship with your child
What resources are available to me?
If you decide to parent your baby, Mercy can help you. You can receive diapers, wipes, formula, maternity clothing, and baby supplies. We also offer a Pregnancy and Parenting Education “Earn While You Learn” program to help you learn helpful information and earn new items you will need for your baby. We are here to support you through your pregnancy and the first years with your baby.
If you need more assistance, Mercy can connect you with organizations in the community to help you find employment, attend college, find housing, a church, food, or clothing.
What can I learn through Mercy’s “Earn While You Learn” Program?
In Mercy’s interactive program, you meet one-on-one with a peer advocate. During these meetings, you will have the opportunity to watch videos on various pregnancy and parenting topics. Each time you watch a video and discuss it with the peer advocate, you will earn points to use in Mercy’s Baby Boutique. The boutique is full of new baby items ranging from clothing to car seats. This program is designed to help you earn what you will need for your baby and give you valuable information on pregnancy and how to parent your baby.
Topics include:
Why prenatal care is important
What to expect during pregnancy
What labor and delivery will be like
How to take care of your newborn
How to keep your baby safe
How to feed your baby
How to get your baby to sleep
What to do if your baby is crying
How to know if your baby is sick
The list of topics goes on and on and covers most of the questions you may have about pregnancy and the first months and years with your baby. Many new moms like the program so much that they continue coming in for Parenting Education for the first one or two years of their child’s life.
Parenting a child can be difficult, but Mercy is here to support you as a new mom.
You can do it. You are not alone.
Call or text for an appointment today!
Call 610-376-0828
Text 484-946-3885