Unexpected Pregnancy: You’re Not Alone – Processing Grief and Finding Support - 264

In this episode of "The Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled," Hilary Erickson | The Pregnancy Nurse® is joined by Erin Galloway from She Might to discuss the complexities of unplanned and unexpected pregnancies. Together, they unpack the wide range of emotions—from shock and grief to adjusting expectations and seeking support. The conversation highlights how common these experiences are, the importance of giving yourself grace, and why finding community, such as She Might, can make a real difference during uncertain times.

Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples -- if you're looking for support & helping your partner support you too -- it's the class for you!

Today's guest is Erin Galloway. Erin is a licensed master social worker and certified perinatal mental health professional dedicated to empowering women, supporting families, and connecting people with resources and community. Erin is the CEO of She Might, the online resource and community for women walking through unexpected motherhood. Erin is a mom of two, a Phoenix Suns fan, Americano enthusiast, and podcast lover.

Links for you:

Get resources for your unplanned pregnancy: https://www.shemight.com/resources

Episode with Dani's pregnancy story: https://www.pullingcurls.com/262-getting-pregnant-advocacy/

Timestamps:

00:00 Unexpected Pregnancies Affect Everyone

05:32 "Unexpected Pregnancy After Years Trying"

09:29 "Parenthood Decisions and Identity Impact"

10:17 "Navigating Reactions to Unplanned Pregnancy"

13:30 Navigating Pregnancy and Unexpected Grief

18:46 "Unexpected Twists in Pregnancy"

22:26 Varied Emotions in Birth Stories

24:06 Navigating Pregnancy Challenges Together

28:08 Effective Communication for Better Support

29:49 Maternity Support & Resources Hub

32:56 "Pulling Curls Podcast Appreciation"

Keypoints:

• Unplanned or unexpected pregnancies are very common—almost half of pregnancies in the U.S. fall into this category, and they can happen to anyone, regardless of age, relationship status, or birth control use.
• Many misconceptions exist about unplanned pregnancies, such as the belief they mostly happen to teenagers or people in crisis, when in reality, they affect people from all walks of life.
• Feeling conflicted, numb, overwhelmed, or not immediately excited about a pregnancy is normal—even among those who tried to conceive or are experienced in pregnancy and childbirth.
• Unplanned pregnancies can trigger complex emotions, including grief for one’s previous lifestyle, personal identity, and future plans that are suddenly shifted or delayed.
• The reactions of partners, family, and friends to the news of an unexpected pregnancy can be surprising or disappointing, often because they, too, are processing shock or need time to adjust.
• Grief around unexpected pregnancy is valid—people may experience ambiguous or disenfranchised grief, mourning the loss of their former freedoms or the plans they thought they’d have.
• There is a wide spectrum of feelings experienced throughout pregnancy and postpartum, no matter how the pregnancy happened; bonding with the baby and feelings about motherhood develop differently for everyone.
• Support groups, mental health professionals, and online communities like She Might provide essential resources and a sense of belonging for those navigating unexpected pregnancies.
• Social media tends to showcase only the positive or “picture-perfect” aspects of pregnancy and motherhood, but tough emotions and struggles are far more common than people might share publicly.
• Recognizing and celebrating small wins, seeking help, and finding ways to bring pieces of pre-pregnancy joy into new routines can help parents cope and adapt through the journey of an unplanned pregnancy.

Producer: Drew Erickson

Keywords:

unplanned pregnancy, unexpected pregnancy, perinatal mental health, emotional response to pregnancy, pregnancy grief, ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, perinatal mood disorders, maternal anxiety, postpartum depression, pregnancy community support, partner reactions, family reactions to pregnancy, pregnancy and career, maternity leave planning, pregnancy timeline, birth control failure, high risk pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms, prenatal class, pregnancy and identity, adjusting to motherhood, parenting support groups, pregnancy support communities, online pregnancy resources, She Might, Pulling Curls Podcast, Pregnancy Nurse, relationships during pregnancy, financial concerns with pregnancy, pregnancy after infertility