Co-worker in "trouble."

[danceswithsnakes]

I work with a woman who has mental health issues and is in a bad relationship. She had a one-night stand and is pregnant and can't get in touch with the father (she knows he is the father, says he is the only one she has been with in months.) She comes to me. As a nurse, I don't know what to tell her. She went and was tested for STDs, but she is very depressed and says she feels isolated and alone, not to mention the baby will be bi-racial and she can't hide the pregnancy from her husband. What a world, what a world...I'm at a loss as to how to help her.

Any suggestions?

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

It keeps me awake at night. That baby will be unwanted, for sure by her husband. She had said her husband told her if she was ever pregnant by another man she would have an abortion or he would drown the baby...I guess it's getting too real for her now. That will be an innocent baby who will still want its mother and will need to be loved. Pitiful. I guess it is time for crisis pregnancy intervention, though I was under the impression a lot of those places were run by religious organizations who try to discourage abortion for young mothers (she is in her 30's) in lieu of adoption. I don't know what other choice she has right now.

I find it strange that they had this conversation before she got pregnant by another man.

Crisis pregnancy centers are typically run by religious organizations that attempt to steer women away from abortion. Often, they also provide limited amounts of diapers and baby clothing/supplies to new moms in need.

In your shoes I'd probably listen to her for limited periods of time and offer referrals to various resources in your community. It's a shame for you to lose sleep at night over this.