Reactions to a missed period can range from disgraced expletives to nagging excitement, and instantly, the past, present, and future feel somehow changed. “I missed my period” could be the words you’ve longed to say, or it may cause anxiety and discomfort like no other phrase in life. The bottom line is that a missed period can indicate many things—from illness or stress to pregnancy—and it is a transforming moment in every woman’s life. The consideration then turns to what to do next.
Missing a period is, in many ways, a metaphorical passageway into womanhood. Whether you’ve been trying to get pregnant or trying not to, the moment you realize you’re late, worlds—all of them yours—come crashing together. Even if you’ve been frantically trying and timing sex to conceive, the moment of truth can still be difficult. Regardless of what we think we want in life, when things actually come to pass (or have the chance of doing so), it’s like sitting on a teeter-totter stuck at the high end. How to get down—or at least low enough to touch the grounded soil beneath your feet—can be difficult, especially when you’re alone.
First thing’s first: find someone to sit on the teeter-totter with you, preferably one who is supportive. Have them accompany you to the nearest drug store. Then, spend your 10-20 bucks on a decent pregnancy test (or several) so you can understand the realities of your fate.
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
Perhaps the one thing you should avoid is blabbering the news to every friend, colleague, or stranger who happens to walk past you. If the test comes up pink or with a plus sign, you’ll need time to adjust to the news and think a bit before inviting the masses into your private life. This can be a very special moment, one that should be treasured. Allow yourself to savor the frivolous unexpected of what lies ahead and the daydreams that will no doubt swirl about exactly what (or better yet, who) the little pink line will bring into your life. It’s smart to realize that the epiphany moment will only happen once, and you won’t have a chance to redo it should you do it wrong.
If you’re somewhat superstitious, waiting to tell others is necessary for even more reasons. If you and your partner have been waiting for this moment, share it with them first and allow them to recover from the shock as well. No matter how prepared or ready you may be to have a child, there’s nothing quite as scary as finding out it may actually happen. Still, telling others before you know anything for sure can mean having to un-tell your story again later. Depending on your desires, this may not be an easy thing to do.
For the women living on the other side of the coin—those who have not contemplated ever missing a period—this news may not feel as welcome. In this case, there’s nothing wrong with waiting a few days to see if your monthly visitor is just running behind schedule. You wouldn’t be the first to jog an extra mile or have sex just to see if it will bring on your period. Bottom line: you know your body. Whether you’re as regular as the mail or as sporadic as warm days in winter, taking the test can be an insignificant step after realizing you’ve missed your period. The important thing is to be emotionally ready for whatever comes next. Chances are, waiting a day or two to take the test isn’t going to change the result and may, in fact, just make things a little clearer. Take a breath and realize the whole experience as an opportunity to think in places you may never have considered on your own.
“I missed my period.” It can be a godsend or cause disappointment at first. It can be one of those things that makes you really contemplate your lifestyle, your choice of partners, and it can even break up the best of couples. It can cause fear and bring out the true colors of your mate. Many women miss a period, share it with their husband or boyfriend, and get to see firsthand how their partner reacts. On the other hand, many men pass the test with high scores for chivalry and commitment, giving you a comforting glimpse into what kind of father they may be one day.
For those expecting to miss a period, it can be the start of their new dreams—or it can lead to heartbreak a few days later. What women should probably take from missing a period, no matter what the circumstances, is that no matter how in control you feel, there’s quite simply something more powerful working through us in nature. It doesn’t matter what you call this thing, but only that you see the missed period as an opportunity. It could be the opportunity to become a mother, to rethink your life, to reassess your goals, to reconsider your relationship, or to balance out the things in life that are meaningful to you. It definitely isn’t the end of the world and can, on many levels, be the beginning of a new world, whether or not a baby is involved.
“I missed my period!” Every woman faces these four little words and comes through it differently. The bottom line is that it distinctly and directly causes a shift in every woman. This shift can be a gentle transition into motherhood or one that has you redefining your life. In any case, you should steal from it the lessons intended for you and realize that your perfectly laid plan is always subject to change.
