The pregnancy test is positive. Now what?

Silence is a decision.

• Not texting back.
• Avoiding hard conversations.
• Letting her sit alone in the fear.

Even if you don’t know what to say, say something:
“I’m still processing this, but I’m not disappearing.”

That alone lowers anxiety.
You don’t have to be confident.
You do have to be present.

You can be the kind of man who doesn’t disappear when things get hard. And that choice? That matters more than you realize.

1. “HOW WILL I PROVIDE?”

Provision starts with willingness — not wealth.
Most fathers didn’t feel ready.
They grew into it.

Providing may look like:
• Picking up extra work
• Cutting unnecessary spending
• Asking for help
• Leaning on church or community
• Getting practical support from The Keim Centers

Responsibility builds men.

2. “WHAT IF OUR RELATIONSHIP DOESN’T LAST?”

• Separate fatherhood from romance.
• Even if the relationship changes, you can still choose integrity.
• Staying steady doesn’t mean you’re trapped. It means you’re choosing character.
• A child doesn’t require a perfect relationship.

Support doesn’t require full agreement.

1. STAY CALM

Stay steady. Let her talk.
She’s already overwhelmed.
Your calm presence matters more than perfect words.

2. AFFIRM HER WORTH

Respect her.
Say something simple:
• “I know this is a big deal.”
• “I respect you for taking time to think.”
• “I’m here. I’m not walking away from this conversation.”

You don’t have to have answers — just don’t disappear.

3. SHOW UP IN PRACTICAL WAYS

Be present.
You can:
• Drive her to appointments (The Keim Centers, OB/GYN, etc.)
• Sit in the waiting room — or go in with her
• Check in weekly: “How are you doing?”
• Learn about the baby’s development — it helps you understand what she’s
experiencing

Small actions build trust.

4. DON’T PRESSURE HER

Give her space to process.
Say:
• “I’m not going to force a decision.”
• “Help me understand what you’re going through.”
• “What do you need from me right now?”

Even silence can feel like pressure. Clear, steady communication lowers fear.

5. HELP HER FEEL LESS ALONE

Say something grounding.
• “Be patient with me — I’m processing, but I care.”
• “I may not feel ready, but I will support you.”
• “You would be a great mom.”
• “Let’s talk honestly about what we each want.”

One steady sentence can change the tone of everything.

Take time to understand each option clearly.

• Abortion

Abortion is a permanent decision that ends a pregnancy. For some, the experience carries emotional effects that continue beyond the moment.

• Adoption

Adoption involves choosing parents for your child. It can be emotional and complex, yet many describe it as a brave and meaningful choice.

• Parenting

Parenting is a lifelong commitment. The beginning can feel overwhelming, but many men later describe fatherhood as one of the most meaningful parts of their lives.

Slow down.
Learn.
Think long-term.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of man do I want to be five years from now?
• What does courage look like today?
• Is fear driving me, or is faith guiding me?
• If I walk away, what does that say about me?
• If I stay, what does that build in me?

You get to write your story here.

Being a man doesn’t mean having everything figured out.
It means staying steady and strong when things feel uncertain.

Real strength looks like:

• Showing up when it’s hard
• Owning your responsibility
• Protecting instead of pushing
• Choosing faith over fear

You may not feel ready to be a father, but you can choose to be a steady, strong man.