Pregnancy Options – the Path Ahead

It can be overwhelming to find yourself in an unplanned pregnancy. Your future may appear ruined, leaving you feeling alone and confused. Take a deep breath and understand that you don’t have to rush to a conclusion regarding a pregnancy plan.

There are pregnancy options available! This decision will impact you for the rest of your life: whether you choose to parent, make an adoption plan, or abort your baby. If you are feeling pressured towards a specific route, or to make a hurried decision, ask whoever is pressuring you for some space so you can have the time and freedom to make a good decision for you and your baby.

If you are feeling pressured towards a specific route, ask whoever is pressuring you for some space so you can make a good decision for you and your baby.

So let’s go over your pregnancy options and how they will affect you. This pregnancy is yours so it is important to understand each option in order to make an informed decision. While we offer some general information on each aspect, we recommend you get in touch with a care center for help with your specific situation.

Parenting

Parenting is a beautiful and natural process of carrying your child through pregnancy, and then raising her after birth. From the moment she was conceived, you have had a unique bond with her. In fact, at just 6 weeks old, your baby’s heart is already beating about twice as fast as yours!

In fact, at just 6 weeks old, your baby’s heart is already beating about twice as fast as yours!

If you are concerned about how to support your child, we can connect you to local help that will walk through your pregnancy and on into parenting with you. Many people are unaware of the number of resources available to mothers.

Being a mom is beautiful and rewarding! Maybe you don’t feel like you know what it takes to be a mom but you don’t have to! You won’t be perfect, and that’s ok (nobody else is). You can easily learn what you need to know.

Parenting won’t ruin your future dreams. It is the continuing of them; only with more purpose than before. It is possible to get through school and continue your education or career. Just read some stories² of women who made it through school while pregnant and continued their lives.

Parenting won’t ruin your future dreams. It is the continuing of them.

Adoption

Adoption provides you a way to lovingly provide care for your child after birth, without parenting her yourself. It is a legal arrangement where your child is placed into an adoptive parents’ home where they raise and support her. You may choose what family you want your baby to transition into. You may also decide among an open, semi-open, or closed adoption plan.³

You may choose what family you want your baby to transition into.

Most adoption agencies ⁴ will help cover your medical expenses during pregnancy, making this a safe and affordable choice. There are many families waiting to love your developing child. In fact, there are up to 36 couples waiting for every one baby placed for adoption! ⁵

Abortion

Abortion terminates a pregnancy by means of an abortion pill ⁶ or surgery at an abortion clinic.⁷ Abortions are emotionally traumatic and can be expensive,⁸ ranging anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. The cost is based upon a number of factors, including the stage of pregnancy, type of abortion procedure, geographic location, and the type of anesthesia used.

Abortion may seem like the quickest solution at this point, but take a moment to learn about the different methods and consider the effects. It’s important to know the possible risks to you associated with abortion.

Emotional – Abortion increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.¹⁰ When a woman conceives, her hormone levels race upward to support her pregnancy. By terminating her pregnancy, her hormones will unnaturally drop, leaving her body physically harmed and confused in the process.¹¹ Unfortunately, data for the long-term psychological impact of medical abortion is difficult to track due to various reasons.¹⁰

Physical – Physical complications can include: heavy bleeding, incomplete abortion, infection, organ damage, and anesthesia complication.¹²

Relational – Abortion often affects a woman’s most important relationships. Research shows that couples who choose induced abortion are at increased risk for problems in their relationships.¹³

Because abortion ends the life of your growing child, it is not a legitimate option for you. Putting together an adoption plan or parenting your child are both loving options that provide proper care for your baby both now and in the future.

Taking the next step

We only gave brief outlines of your pregnancy options but want to suggest that you find a local care center to help you make a decision you will be satisfied with for the rest of your life. These care centers are staffed with caring and understanding people. They are there to talk with you further about these options and what each one will mean for you and your unique situation. They are there to provide a listening ear, answer your questions, and come alongside you through this process.

Further, you can call 855-469-5594 (open certain hours) for counsel on your pregnancy options or 1-800-712-4357 (open 24/7) for help and in order to connect with a care center.