My best friend has just discovered she is pregnant as the result of a casual relationship that has only been going on for 2 months.
She is 34 yrs old and has had two previous terminations (one in her teens, one about 3 years ago). She has always wanted children, and says that part of her feels like she should go ahead with the pregnancy regardless of what the guy thinks. She also says she doesn't know if she can go through with another termination.
Hoever, the guy has gone ballistic. He was due to leave the country at the end of the year to work abroad. He says he is too young to settle down (he's 27) and that he absolutely does NOT want this baby. He has pressurised her into going to the doctor's together to discuss their 'options' next week.
My friend is a very successful woman with a good job, although the maternity benefits are pretty poor (12 weeks on 90% pay, then 12 weeks on stat maternity pay). She is currently sharing a rented flat with a friend (such is the life of professionals in London!) and has few savings and quite a lot of credit card debt. She is an only child, but her mum does live close by, is retired and they are very close. She is desperately worried about how she will manage bringing up a child on her own, and whether it would be fair to go ahead with the pregnancy or not.
As you can tell, she is very confused. We had a long chat on the phone earlier and I tried very hard just to listen, be supportive and let her know that i am there for her whatever she decides. We are having dinner next week and I want some advice on how I can handle this situation with her. What else can i do to help her? My gt feeling is that she should have the baby. She really wants a baby but just hasn't met the right guy (has had several long term relationships with men that didn't want to settle down).
I know I can't (and won't) tell her what I think she should do, because it is her decision and she will have to live with it. I guess I just want to know what the right thing to do is.
TIA!