If you are unexpectedly pregnant, you have three options:
- Parenting – raise the child with support from your community
- Adoption – choose another person or family to take care of the child
- Abortion – end the pregnancy through a surgical procedure or medication
Below is a deeper look at what each pregnancy option could look like for you.
1. Parenting with support
Parenting can be a daunting thought. This may be especially true when considering your financial situation. Thankfully, numerous programs and government organizations exist to help you in your unique circumstances. These organizations offer financial help for pregnant women including medical bill assistance, healthcare, food, housing, clothing, education, and guidance in finding a stable job.
In addition, many parents benefit from the practical and emotional support provided by their partners, friends, family, support groups, or their faith communities. You might even be able to identify some of those sources of support that you already have in your life.
Parenting can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. Watching yourself grow, learn, and help another human achieve their goals and dreams can be empowering.
At Care Net, we offer free parenting support for both moms and dads, from the moment you find out you’re pregnant until your child is 4 years old. Never feel ashamed to ask for help, we are here for you.
To talk through parenting resources and financial assistance options, make an appointment with our staff today.
2. Adoption
Adoption is the transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from you to another person who wants to raise a child. There are three types of adoption agreements you can choose from.
- Open Adoption – An open adoption leaves the door open to build an ongoing relationship with your baby after adoption. You and the adoptive family agree on your interaction. It might look like exchanging letters or regular in-person visits.
- Closed Adoption – A closed adoption means there is no contact between you, your baby, and the adoptive family after the adoption. This closes the door to the baby’s involvement in your life after pregnancy.
- Semi-open Adoption – Semi-open adoption is a combination of open and closed adoption. It allows you to communicate with the adoptive parents to check in on your child’s life throughout the years while still living an independent life.
If you think adoption might be the best option for you, we encourage you to schedule an appointment today. We are here to answer any questions and help you find the support you need.
3. Abortion
If you don’t want to carry out your pregnancy, abortion can end your pregnancy. This is done through a chemical abortion, often known as the abortion pill, or a surgical abortion.
- Abortion Pill – The abortion pill is a combination of two pills: mifepristone and misoprostol. It is prescribed to end an early pregnancy, up to 10 weeks after your last period.
- Surgical Abortion – A surgical abortion is a procedure used to end a pregnancy, and may be performed before or after the 10-week mark.
What type of abortion you can have is based on a number of factors, including gestational age (the length of pregnancy after the first day of the last menstrual period), viability (potential ability to live outside of the uterus), and where your pregnancy is growing. If you are considering an abortion, first read our “Before an Abortion Checklist” to potentially save you the pain, inconvenience, and expense of an abortion.
Know what questions to ask yourself
It can be overwhelming to make a decision when you don’t know where to begin. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you figure out which of the above pregnancy options is best for you.
- What kind of support do I have in my life?
- What kind of resources are available to me?
- Which decision am I more likely to regret later in life?
- Is anyone pressuring me to make a certain choice?
- What am I most afraid of about making this decision?
Know the right people to talk to
Don’t do this alone. Discuss your feelings and options with a trusted person. This could be your partner, your family, or a friend. We have caring professionals at Care Net of Puget Sound who are available to offer support and accurate information. With the right support, you can weigh the pros and cons of each of your option and be confident in the final choice you make.
Remember, no one can tell you what to do about your pregnancy. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into doing something you aren’t comfortable with.
Know we are here for you
We care about you. Talk to a licensed health professional to discuss your options and what might be best for you. At Care Net of Puget Sound we provide FREE options education, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and other services, with no insurance required.
Make an appointment today.
