You may have expected questions, worry, or even some initial shock when you told your partner you were pregnant. What you may not have expected was silence, anger, distance, or a refusal to be involved.
His response can make an already unexpected situation feel much harder. Before you begin making decisions around his reaction, take some time to consider what you want, what information you still need, and who else you can turn to.
Parkridge Pregnancy Medical Clinic offers free, confidential medical services and counseling in Lubbock. Request an appointment to meet with a nurse or licensed professional counselor.
Build Support Beyond Your Partner
Your partner does not need to be the only person you turn to. Consider who else might listen, attend an appointment with you, help with transportation, or assist with practical concerns.
That could be:
A parent, sibling, or relative
A close friend
A pastor, mentor, or faith community
A licensed counselor
A local organization that assists pregnant women and families
People may want to help but not know what you need. A specific request, such as asking someone to accompany you to an appointment or help you research local resources, gives them a clear way to respond.
Learn About Practical and Legal Support
If you continue the pregnancy and your partner does not remain involved, you may have questions about paternity and financial support.
For unmarried parents in Texas, legal paternity must generally be established before a court can order child support, medical support, custody, or parenting time. Parents may voluntarily establish paternity by completing an Acknowledgment of Paternity with an authorized entity.
If the other parent will not sign, paternity may be established through a court process. The Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division can provide information about applying for child support services. Call 800-252-8014 or visit its website to learn more.
This general information does not replace advice about your particular legal situation.
Take Threats or Control Seriously
A lack of support is different from threats, intimidation, or attempts to control your decision.
If your partner is taking away your access to money or transportation, interfering with appointments, threatening you, or pressuring you to make a pregnancy decision you do not want, tell someone you trust.
Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 for confidential help and safety-planning resources.
Get Information About Your Pregnancy
You do not have to know what your partner will do before learning more about your pregnancy.
Parkridge Pregnancy Medical Clinic provides:
Medical-grade pregnancy testing administered by the medical team
Limited ultrasounds, if you qualify, following a positive clinic test
Free, confidential counseling with licensed professional counselors
Education about parenting, adoption, and abortion
A place to discuss your concerns with a nurse and client advocate
An ultrasound may provide information about the pregnancy’s location, estimated gestational age, and cardiac activity when detectable.
Request an appointment today or call 806-794-8555. Parkridge can help you gather information, talk through your concerns, and consider what would be helpful from here.