It's another week to think deeply about the choices we will make that will turn our lives around either positively or negatively. Going through this week's prompts forced me to consider what I would do if something like this happened. How will I manage the situation? Will I be able to cope with the stigma that comes after? All these questions are running through my mind, but I would love to share what I would do if I found out that I was becoming an unexpected parent.
The shock of being a mother when you aren't ready can make you commit suicide while trying to get rid of the pregnancy. It is a tough decision to make, and sometimes people choose to make the wrong decision. I will explain how. Having a baby isn't a crime, but before deciding to have the baby, some factors are to be checked, such as the maturity of the proposed parents, financial capability, and family support. If both parents aren't mature enough to parent such a child, I guess there is no sense in bringing him or her into the world.
Despite not being married, they should be financially okay to some extent, and lastly, if their family isn't in support, especially the mother's family, then they are in for a big mess. And sometimes the case isn't as smooth as expected, especially in this part of the world—I belong to Nigeria, to be precise—where the man who impregnated the woman might refuse to take responsibility for the child, claiming it's not his, thereby leaving the mother to shoulder the responsibilities alone from pregnancy to the delivery time and even after.
If I were to be an unexpected parent, that is, get pregnant out of wedlock, I would choose to keep the baby. My choice might be surprising to many, but I guess after deep thought, I don't think terminating the pregnancy is the best choice either. Firstly, if the man chooses to take up the responsibility, it will make talking to the family easier, but in case he doesn't, I will dance to the tune I created myself. Looking at my financial capability, I will be able to take care of myself, and talking about maturity, I can deal with the stigma that comes with my decision to have the baby because I've dealt with something bigger than that before, so that shouldn't be a problem at all.
You might be wondering why I sound so confident. One thing I'm sure of is that my family will never forsake me, no matter how badly the world may treat me; they will always come through for me. When I saw this topic, I decided to throw it to my friends, and three (3) out of four (4) went for the option of termination; they said, and I quote" it will be an obstruction in their way in life". Only one of them reasoned with me: I'm not trying to be spiritual, but termination of the pregnancy is against my belief; it's something my religion frowned at. Aside from that, in the process of termination, either by pills or surgical procedure, what if something went wrong, which could cost me my entire life as a mother? The fear of losing my life in the process won't let me go for the option of terminating the baby; I will rather give birth to him or her and have the bundle of joy around me, which will be my first fruit and first experience as a mother.
Image credit is mine
Becoming a mother should be the pride of every lady, so why will I want to let go of that wonderful feeling? One certain thing is one should be sure of her decision before taking any of the steps.