When someone you care about faces an unplanned pregnancy, they might handle the news in different ways. Some keep it private initially, others reach out to their partner or family first, and some choose to confide in a trusted friend before anyone else.

If your friend has chosen you to share this news with, it means she trusts you deeply during one of her most vulnerable moments.

She Chose You for a Reason

Finding out about an unplanned pregnancy can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed, confused, or even shocked. The fact that she came to you first shows how much your friendship means to her. This is your moment to show up with the compassion and kindness she needs right now.

Your Most Important Job: Just Be There

The best thing you can do is simply be present for her. Ask her how she’s feeling and really listen to her response. If she’s struggling to put her emotions into words, gentle questions can help her process what’s going on inside. Sometimes just sitting quietly together can remind her that she’s not facing this alone.

This isn’t the time for lectures, judgment calls, or pushing your own beliefs on her situation. Your role is to support her as she figures out her own feelings and works through her options.

Help Her Remember: There’s No Rush

Many people feel pressured to make immediate decisions when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Stay calm and remind your friend that she has time to think through all her options carefully. There’s no deadline forcing her to decide right away, and the best decisions come when someone feels ready to make them.

Be Available in Practical Ways

Offer to go with her when she’s ready to tell her family or partner if she wants the support. Be there for her to talk through things if those conversations don’t go as hoped. Your presence can make all the difference during difficult moments.

If she’s struggling to cope, encourage her to seek additional support. Offer to sit with her while she calls a pregnancy resource center like We Care Pregnancy Clinic, or volunteer to drive her to an appointment so she doesn’t have to go alone.

For local support, you can contact We Care Pregnancy Clinic through their website, call 815.748.4242, or text their helpline at 815.780.9097.

You Don’t Need All the Answers

Remember, you don’t have to be an expert or have all the solutions. She’s the one who needs to make the decisions that feel right for her life. What she needs from you is compassion, support, and the same friendship that made her trust you with this news in the first place.

Your friendship already means the world to her – that’s why she called you. Keep being the friend she knows she can count on, and trust that your presence and care are exactly what she needs right now.