An unexpected pregnancy can quickly bring your life to a halt, and because of this, you’re probably worried about how to make one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever face.

However, if you’re a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you aren’t alone, and you’re not out of options. You aren’t the first woman to consider adoption in Arkansas, and you won’t be the last.

In addition, we want you to know that our unplanned pregnancy counselors are always here to answer your questions and provide the guidance you’re looking for. You can call us anytime at 1-800-ADOPTION for free, unplanned pregnancy counseling and to learn more about the benefits of adoption in Arkansas. We just want to help you get the information you need to make the best choice for you, whatever it may be.

If you’re a hopeful adoptive family with questions about what the process is like in Arkansas, we’d love to answer them. Click here to learn more about the process or get free information by filling out our online form.

Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options in Arkansas [Making the Best Decision]

With all that being said, then, let’s talk about your three possible routes after discovering an unexpected pregnancy in Arkansas. Before you can decide which path is right for you, you need to understand exactly how each process works, including the pros and cons as they apply to your personal unintended pregnancy situation.

Choosing Adoption in Arkansas

Your first unplanned pregnancy option is frequently overlooked, but adoption can be a great choice for both you and your baby. Most women dealing with an unplanned pregnancy don’t know much about adoption, so it can be helpful to first learn about how the process works. Only then can you decide whether you wish to pursue adoption or keep the baby and raise him or her.

Learning that the adoption process is always free, and you will have access to things like counseling and medical care. Additionally, you are in charge of every step of your adoption process.

When deciding between adoption, abortion or keeping your baby, we encourage you to think about these benefits:

Adoption Benefits for Prospective Birth Moms:

• Can eliminate the financial burden of raising a child

• Gives peace of mind knowing that a child is being raised in a safe, loving home

• Can allow birth moms to remain in a child’s life with open adoption, should they choose to do so

Adoption Benefits for Children:

• Receive all the benefits of being raised in a family that was prepared for them both financially and emotionally

• Grow up in a safe, stable environment

• Creates a new opportunity to grow and thrive

• Raised knowing they have two sets of parents who love them deeply

While American Adoptions is an adoption agency, please keep in mind that we will never pressure you into your pregnancy adoption options in Arkansas. Instead, we are simply here to get you the information you need to make the best decision for your situation.

And if that ends up being adoption, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s really hard,” Julia said. “There were plenty of times when I felt like I was scared… but I felt like it was the right decision for me — and I still feel like that today.”

If you do decide to work with American Adoption to make an adoption plan, you’ll experience countless benefits. Not only will you be working with a national adoption agency, giving you access to more resources with a larger staff, you’ll also be working with people who have personal experience with adoption and know exactly what you’re going through. No matter what kind of situation you’re in, we’ll be ready to help you through it.

Choosing to Become a Parent in Arkansas [Thinking Through Your Situation]

If you’re considering this unplanned pregnancy option, ask yourself this: Am I ready to be a parent? Raising a child is no easy feat, especially when you weren’t preparing to do so — or at least not at this time in your life.

If you’re unsure of whether or not you’re ready to take this step, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions:

• Am I financially stable enough to raise a child? It takes an average of at least $230,000 to raise a child until the age of 18, and that’s a number that’s only going to increase in the years to come.

• Will the child’s father be involved? Some women prefer to raise a child in a two-parent home.

• Will I still be able to achieve my goals and professional aspirations with a child? If you’re in the middle of pursuing your education or building a career, doing so with a child can be difficult.

• Can I provide the kind of life I want for my baby right now? Think about what kind of opportunities you want your child to have, and be realistic about whether or not you can provide those at this time in your life.

• Do I want to be a mom? Some women don’t, and there’s no shame in that.

If you want to parent your child, then you should absolutely parent your child. Parenting can be one of the best parts of life, if you are ready. There are also local resources and government assistance to help you prepare for this journey.

However, if you’re still unsure that parenting is the best choice for you, we can help. We know that many women consider adoption because they’re just not in the right place to parent. If this sounds like your situation, we can be there every step of the way. 

“It was super tough at first, but I knew it was what needed to happen, that we weren’t in the right place and it wasn’t the right environment to bring two babies into,” Janelle said. “[There was] no hesitation going into the adoption process... I already loved the babies, even though they weren’t born, and I knew that’s what they needed.

“For me, there was no question after I made that decision.”

But if adoption isn’t the right for you, don’t worry. You still have one more option to consider.

Choosing Abortion in Arkansas [Get the Help You Need]

If you choose not to parent your child, one of your options for pregnancy is abortion. Since the laws differ from state to state, it’s helpful to know Arkansas’s laws on the procedure:

• A woman must receive state-directed counseling and then wait 48 hours before getting an abortion in Arkansas. This requires two trips to the doctor.

• The only way a health plan will cover an abortion is if the woman’s life is endangered, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

• If a woman is under 18, parental permission must be obtained.

• An abortion may be performed up until 22 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual cycle unless her life is endangered, she was the victim or rape or incest, or her physical health is compromised.

In 2014, 97 percent of Arkansas counties had no abortion providers; there were only four in the state. If you are considering an abortion in Arkansas, make sure to be educated about the topic. There are a lot of sensationalized resources about adoption, so stick to reliable sources like Planned Parenthood when investigating your options for unwanted pregnancy in Arkansas.

Parenting vs. Adoption vs. Abortion in Arkansas: Comparing Your Pregnancy Options [And Making the Best Decision]

We know deciding between your pregnancy options in Arkansas is no easy choice. Please, take all the time you need to research these possibilities before moving forward. An unplanned pregnancy is a life-changing situation, no matter which path you take, so you must always do what is right for you — and you alone.

“You could tell they weren’t just putting on a front to make you want to do it or push you into it,” Angelica said. “They want whatever you want, and that’s what they told me during the whole process. It wasn’t up to them; they were just going to be there for me no matter what decision I made.”

Regardless of which option you’re leaning toward, American Adoptions employs social workers that can help. Deciding what to do about an unplanned pregnancy in Arkansas can be stressful, and it’s helpful to have an unbiased professional in your corner. To speak with a social worker about all of your pregnancy options, call 1-800-ADOPTION.

If you are even slightly considering adoption, you can also get free information online at any time.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.