An unplanned pregnancy can leave a woman with many questions, including, “What are my options if I’m pregnant?” In Georgia, there are three options a woman can choose when facing this life-altering situation: parenting, abortion, or adoption. Regardless of the woman’s choice, it is up to her to determine how to move forward when she finds out that she is pregnant. However, if she is a minor, parental notification may be required in any case.

Anytime you have questions about your options during an unplanned pregnancy in Georgia, fill out this online form or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with a specialist. They will provide helpful information to fully understand each of your options and help you determine which path may be best.

What Are Your Options if You’re Pregnant in Georgia?

Some questions a woman may find herself asking when considering her options for unplanned pregnancy in Georgia are:

• How do I know if adoption is right for me?

• Am I ready to be a parent?

• What is more expensive, pregnancy or adoption?

• I’m pregnant, what are my options?

• Should I keep my baby or give up for adoption?

The following are a woman’s options for dealing with an unplanned pregnancy in Georgia: parenting, abortion or adoption.

Parenting

The first and more traditional option to an unexpected pregnancy is to choose to parent the child. Your unplanned pregnancy options include obtaining assistance from local organizations and the government if you need financial help to raise your baby. Georgia has quite a few options for helping mothers to be able to raise and keep their children. Some of the options available for assistance are:

• Georgia Energy Assistance Program – Energy savings for low-income families.

• Georgia Food Stamps – Food assistance for low-income families.

• Georgia Head Start – School-care programs for younger children.

Read about more Georgia assistance programs here.

Abortion

An unwanted pregnancy in Georgia can leave a woman feeling ashamed and afraid. Georgia legislature has made obtaining an abortion possible, but a woman must be able to pay for it herself unless the pregnancy is endangering her life, or if she became pregnant through rape or incest.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the following restrictions on abortion in Georgia were in effect as of April 1, 2017:

• “A woman must receive state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage her from having an abortion, and then wait 24 hours before the procedure is provided.

• Health plans offered in the state’s health exchange under the Affordable Care Act can only cover abortion if the woman's life is endangered or her health is severely compromised.

• Abortion is covered in insurance policies for public employees only in cases of life endangerment.

• The parent of a minor must be notified before an abortion is provided.

• Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.

• An abortion may be performed at 20 or more weeks postfertilization (22 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period) only if the woman’s life is endangered, her physical health is severely compromised or there is a lethal fetal anomaly. This law is based on the assertion, which is inconsistent with scientific evidence and has been rejected by the medical community, that a fetus can feel pain at that point in pregnancy.”

Adoption

A Georgia woman may also choose to place her baby for adoption with a family that will want him or her. Adoption is an option in Georgia through American Adoptions or another adoption professional.

Choosing adoption may seem like a difficult choice, but sometimes it is the best choice. The greatest challenges posed when choosing adoption are to come out to your friends and family as your pregnancy progresses, and experiencing and processing the grief that comes along with the decision for adoption. AmericanAdoptions.com and ConsideringAdoption.com are great resources to learn more about adoption, and you can always call 1-800-ADOPTION for free, confidential, zero-obligation information and support.

Deciding Between Your Georgia Pregnancy Options

Regardless of the choice a woman makes when facing an unintended pregnancy in Georgia, she has options. If you find yourself in this situation and want to discuss your options with someone,  please call (800)ADOPTION and feel safe and comfortable talking with someone who understands what you are going through and who can advise your properly.

Every pregnancy situation is different, and every woman has the right to choose how to move forward with her options. Whether someone agrees with your decision or not, be confident and feel at peace with your choice. After all, at the end of the day, you only have to answer to yourself and your faith.

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.