Nine Months Pregnant and Don't Want the Baby

You can choose adoption if you are nine months pregnant and don’t want the baby. Call 1-800-ADOPTION today to find support.

You’re almost there, which is most likely both a relief and point of stress because the pregnancy was unexpected.

• The unplanned pregnancy you are experiencing has most likely changed your life.

• The thought of not being pregnant — only a few weeks to go! — is a relief.

• The thought of being a parent, on the other hand, is anything but a relief.

You may be left wondering what to do if you are closing in on 39 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby. What can you do? What options are there? What if you are 37 or 38 weeks pregnant and want to give the baby up for adoption?

There’s good news: you do have options for how to handle your unplanned pregnancy, and it’s not too late to choose adoption. You can get free information about the adoption process at any time or start the process today by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

Your Health at 36–40 Weeks Pregnant

Briefly, before breaking down your unplanned pregnancy options and how adoption may be best for you, let’s talk about your health. Regardless of the outcome of your unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to keep up with your body and the baby’s development in these last weeks of pregnancy.

• 36 Weeks Pregnant: Have you taken a child birth class yet? If not, now is good time to find one. If you have taken a class, review the materials. Also, you should go ahead and schedule your next prenatal checkup appointment. Even when you are 36 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, it’s important to keep up with these necessary medical checkups.

• 37 Weeks Pregnant: The symptoms you may be experiencing at 37 weeks can feel similar to labor. For instance, abdominal pressure has increased as the baby moves lower, and contractions are likely to occur. These things don’t necessarily mean you are going into labor. Read up on how to spot the signs of labor so that you’ll know for sure when the times comes.

• 38 Weeks Pregnant: Review your hospital plan, look for signs of labor and start thinking about prepping for life after birth. It’s coming fast, and the more prepared you are, the better.

• 39 Weeks Pregnant: We know it’s getting repetitive, but stay on top of those signs of labor. The baby could come any day now, which can be both exciting and scary, especially when you are 39 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby.

• 40 Weeks Pregnant: At this point, you should be in very close communication with your doctor and have your hospital plan ready to kick into action at a moment’s notice.

36–39 Weeks Pregnant and Don’t Want the Baby

When you’re nearing the end of an unplanned pregnancy and you don’t want the baby, you do still have options to consider. At this stage of pregnancy, you will have to act quickly based on your decision. Your options are:

• Parenting: Your body has been through a lot, and so has your mind. Are you sure that you don’t want to raise this baby? Parenting may be wrong for you, but it’s important to be completely sure of that before you rule it out.

• Adoption: If you’re at 39 weeks of pregnancy and thinking of adoption, you’ll be glad to hear that it is still an option for you. Adoption is a chance to move forward with your life and give your child a chance at life. Whether you have career goals to pursue or simply cannot raise a child with your current resources, adoption can be the best choice for you.

38 Weeks Pregnant and Want to Give Baby Up for Adoption

At American Adoptions, we have worked with thousands of expectant mothers over 30 years to create successful adoption plans. Each adoption is unique, and we will help you create an adoption plan that works specifically for you. While choosing adoption isn’t necessarily easy, there can be many benefits, such as:

• Adoption financial assistance. You have enough to think about without worrying about financial concerns. Our adoption financial assistance is available to you if you need help covering pregnancy costs and living expenses.

• 24/7 counseling and support. Our adoption counselors are available to you 24/7 to give you a shoulder to lean on during this emotional time.

• An ongoing relationship through open adoption that allows you to stay in contact with your child and their adoptive family post-placement.

• A chance at a fresh start for you. When you chose adoption, you’ll be able to return to the path you had laid out for your life. You can pursue your dreams of a career, school, traveling the world, etc.

• The knowledge that your baby is loved and cared for. Our national scope allows us to work with many hopeful adoptive families at once. This means we can help you find the perfect loving family for your baby.

The Adoption Process at 40 Weeks

If you are around 38 weeks pregnant and want to give the baby up for adoption, or even 39 or 40 weeks pregnant and considering adoption, the process will need to move a little more quickly than usual. You can still find adoptive parents within three weeks (or less), and even create a full adoption plan with the help of and adoption specialist.

The basic steps in this process will be:

• Step 1: Contact American Adoptions by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

• Step 2: Work with an adoption specialist to create an adoption plan. Decide what will be best for you concerning things like open adoption and the hospital plan.

• Step 3: Choose an adoptive family from the adoptive family profiles and videos your adoption specialist shows you.

• Step 4: If possible, speak with the family before birth to get to know them a little better.

• Step 5: It’s baby time! Follow your hospital plan, and give official consent to the adoption after your baby is born.

• Step 6: Maintain a meaningful connection to your child and the adoptive family post-placement through your open adoption communication plan.

“Putting my baby up for adoption was the best way I could give him everything I wanted for him. I don't feel that I actually gave him up. I feel that I have given him more. He now has two mommies and a daddy that love him with all their hearts. I am comforted by the knowledge that he will grow up knowing this,” said Kariane about choosing adoption for her baby.

Your specific adoption process is sure to have unique details. Whatever the case may be, you can still choose adoption when you are 37, 38 or 39 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby.

Begin Your Adoption Today

This has surely been a difficult time in your life, but you can still choose to make the most of your unplanned pregnancy — both for yourself and for your baby. If you are ready to begin your adoption process, or are still trying to decide if adoption is right for you, call 1-800-ADOPTION today to get the support you deserve. 

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