An unplanned pregnancy can be a stressful and complicated time in a woman’s life. If you are in this situation, you may not be sure what path is best for you. If you are even slightly considering adoption, you have come to the right place.
We know that choosing adoption is a difficult and emotional decision to make. We also know that you are the only person who can make this decision for your pregnancy, no matter what advice and suggestions you may hear from other people in your life.
If you are thinking about adoption, it’s important that you do extensive research and learn more about the process to determine whether it is right for you. You can always call our adoption counselors at 1-800-ADOPTION for free, confidential unplanned pregnancy options counseling.
As you consider adoption, ask yourself these questions to see if it may be the right path for you:
- Do you want your child to have a better life than you can provide right now?
The biggest reason that women choose adoption is because they want to give their children life — but they cannot currently provide the quality of life or opportunities that they want their children to have. Knowing that she cannot provide for her child in the same way that prepared and waiting parents can, a prospective birth mother may choose adoption to provide the opportunities and care she wants her baby to have.
When you choose to place a child for adoption, they will get the chance to live with adoptive parents who have been preparing and waiting for months and years to have a child. Hopeful parents are thrilled at the idea of raising an adopted child, are willing to celebrate their child’s adoption as they grow up, and are ready to provide all the opportunities that a birth mother wishes for their child. When you choose adoption, you are not “giving up”; you are giving your child life.
- Are you prepared to carry a child to term and place him or her with adoptive parents?
If you are considering adoption, you need to recognize the challenges of this process — including carrying a child to term through nine months of pregnancy and then signing away your parental rights. It’s an emotional journey, to be sure, but when you work with an adoption professional, you will be provided counseling and support every step of the process.
Still, you must be prepared for the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth and adoption placement if you are considering adoption. You will always have the right to change your mind about your adoption plan after your baby is born, but taking the steps to emotionally prepare for this journey is crucial to a successful adoption process.
- Do you need financial assistance to have a healthy pregnancy?
There is a reason why they call it an “unplanned” pregnancy. If you are in this situation, you may not be emotionally, physically or financially prepared to be a parent. You may even be considering abortion because you cannot afford the costs of pregnancy and childbirth, even if you would prefer another option.
Know that if you choose to place your child for adoption, the process will be completely free to you. You may also be eligible for financial assistance to cover the costs of your pregnancy, as well as some of your living expenses, during and after your adoption process. Your adoption professional will work with you to ensure that you are not unduly financially burdened because of your choice to carry your child and place them for adoption.
If you are worried about the costs of pregnancy, especially if you do not plan to parent, adoption may be the best unplanned pregnancy option for you.
- Are you excited about a future relationship with a child you place for adoption?
Many expectant mothers choose adoption after they learn of the potential for a future relationship with their child. They may have been on the fence about the idea of “giving up” their baby, but when they find out they can watch their child grow up through pictures and letters — and even have a personal relationship with him or her — they are reassured it is the best choice for them.
This is known as open adoption. Through open adoption, you will not only have the chance for a relationship with the adoptive parents and your child after placement, but you will also be able to choose and get to know the adoptive parents before placing your child with them. Open adoption is a wide spectrum of contact, so your adoption specialist will help you create an open adoption contact plan as part of your adoption plan.
- Do you know that abortion isn’t right for you — but that you’re not ready to be a parent?
Finally, one of the biggest reasons women choose adoption is because they are unprepared to be a parent but are uncomfortable with the idea of having an abortion. Abortion is not right for everyone, and neither is parenting or adoption. That’s why it’s important to think hard about all of your unplanned pregnancy options to find the solution that is best for you.
If you know that abortion isn’t the right choice for you, but you’re still deciding between parenting and adoption, we encourage you to contact our adoption specialists for no-obligation adoption counseling. Our specialists can answer all the questions you may have about the adoption process and help you determine which path is best for you moving forward.
To learn more about adoption today, please call 1-800-ADOPTION.
