Pregnancy decision making

Choosing to have a baby is a highly personal, life-long decision that has the potential to impact upon people's lives in many different ways.  Decision making regarding a pregnancy involves the consideration of several important factors. Some women fall pregnant unexpectedly - in the absence of a relationship or in a dysfunctional relationship, in financial hardship, with no supports, or in a situation where they feel that their family is complete.  Some pregnancies are plagued with diagnoses of foetal anomalies, with the potential for life-long challenges ahead.  There are many and varied reasons why women contemplate terminations of pregnancy.  This is a highly individual decision-making process that can be complex and filled with conflicting emotions.  Network psychologists assist women and couples through this decision- making process, using an unbiased, client-centred framework whereby thoughts, feelings and practical concerns are worked through and weighed up in a way that endeavours to minimize uncertainty and future regret.