As a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy  and considering adoption in California, it’s probably safe to assume you’re under a good deal of stress. Whether it’s an unwanted pregnancy or just simply an unexpected pregnancy, you’re suddenly faced with a lot to consider.

To get the unplanned preganncy support you need, you can reach out to our adoption specialists at any time.

Some women in this situation know immediately what they want to do. For them, there’s never a question, and that’s great. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. If you aren’t sure what to do next now that you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you certainly aren’t alone. This article is dedicated to discussing your pregnancy options, including adoption in California, and helping you learn more about the choice you’re faced with.

Please know that, while we are an adoption agency, this article’s purpose is not to persuade you to choose adoption for your unborn child. This serves simply to talk about unplanned pregnancy options, and every pregnant woman ultimately has three: parenting, abortion or adoption.

Parenting in California

The first question you should ask yourself when facing an unexpected pregnancy is, “Am I ready to be a parent?” For some women, this is an immediate, concrete yes or no. For others, it’s more complicated. If you’re wondering, “Should I keep my baby?” you may want to consider the following questions:

• Are you financially at a place where you can afford to raise a baby until the age of 18? The average cost to do this is an estimated $233,610, and this was a figure from 2015. If you’re faced with an unplanned pregnancy at a time when you aren’t financially stable, this can be a big factor when considering your options if you are pregnant.

• If you choose to parent this baby, will you still be able to pursue your own goals and aspirations? While it’s absolutely possible to continue your education or build a career with a child, it’s also true that it will be more difficult.

• Are you and the father of this baby together, and will he be involved in the child’s upbringing? Some women are hesitant to raise a child when they know they will be doing it alone.

• Do you want to be a mother? Not all women do, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

• Can you provide the kind of life you envision for your baby at this point in your life?

If you want to parent your child, that’s absolutely what you should do. No one can ever tell you how to decide whether to keep a baby; you are the only one that can make this decision for yourself. If, however, you’re still curious about your alternative pregnancy options in California, there are two other choices aside from parenting.

Abortion in California

If you aren’t ready or don’t wish to parent your baby, one of your alternative unwanted pregnancy options is to have an abortion. Abortion laws differ in each state, but California has some of the most lax abortion laws in the country:

• Minors in California can have an abortion without notifying their parental guardians or any other adult.

• California has no mandatory waiting period like those often found in other states.

• In 2014, California had 512 facilities that provided abortions, 152 of which were clinics.

• Nearly 43 percent of counties in California had no abortion providers, and an estimated 5 percent of California women lived in these counties. If you live in a county with no abortion provider, you will have to travel to the nearest clinic or facility to have an abortion.

If you’d like to learn more about abortion as an unplanned pregnancy option in California, you should keep in mind that there’s a wealth of sensationalized abortion information out there. Limit your research to reliable sources only, such as Planned Parenthood, which is dedicated to helping women and providing accurate, unbiased information.

Adoption in California

Sometimes, people overlook the final unplanned pregnancy option, which is adoption. However, adoption can be an amazing opportunity for both you and your child. As a birth mom, adoption holds special benefits for you that parenting or abortion would not:

• Allows you peace of mind knowing that your child is safe and loved and will be provided with all the opportunities he or she deserves

• Allows you to remain in your child’s life, should you choose to have an open adoption

• Eliminates the financial burden of raising a child without terminating the pregnancy

For adoptees, the benefits of adoption are countless. Some include:

• Growing up in a safe, stable and loving environment

• Having access to opportunities they might not have otherwise, such as college

• Being raised with the knowledge that two sets of parents love them more than anything

• Being raised in a family that was both financially and emotionally prepared for them

No matter which path you’re considering, American Adoptions has social workers available 24/7 to help you discuss your pregnancy options in California. Call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time for free, unbiased information about what any of your early pregnancy options could look like for you.

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.