5 Things to Know When Telling Your Male Partner About an Unplanned Pregnancy

Telling your partner about an unplanned pregnancy is a deeply emotional and impactful moment for both of you. How you approach this conversation can help set the tone for what comes next. Below are 5 key things to keep in mind to ensure the discussion is handled thoughtfully and with care.

1. Take the situation and the sharing of the unplanned pregnancy news with the gravity it deserves. Remember, the most shocking thing about an unplanned pregnancy is that it’s UNPLANNED.

2. Timing matters! Tell him about the pregnancy as early as you can. The sooner the better. This will show him that you do want him to be a part of any decision-making process you both might have to work through.

3. Don't share too much when breaking the news. Only give the minimally required information first and answer whatever questions he immediately asks. He may need more time to process this news than you would prefer but an overabundance of information too soon could overwhelm him and cause a panic.

4. After sharing the news, give him some space and ask for a convenient time when he might be ready and willing to talk some more. He may need to catch his breath, go for a drive, sleep on it, etc. For most men this is very big news so giving him some room to process it in a way that works for him will always be appreciated.

5. Don’t read too much into his initial reaction. His first reaction may not reveal his most accurate feelings about the pregnancy and may be surprising to you. The truth is his original reaction may be a surprise to himself as well. If you give him space to process the news, he may gain a better grasp on what he's really thinking and feelings about this pregnancy.

If we can support you and your partner during this process, please reach out to our team. We’d be happy to share more resources and information or just to talk—whatever you need.