If you feel like you have nowhere to turn because you are homeless and pregnant, you have options. Call 1-800-ADOPTION now to learn more.

Pregnancy can be stressful for any woman, and the lack of a stable environment in which to raise your child may add to that stress. However, we hope you’ll attempt to leave any feelings of shame or stigma at the door as you read this article; you are not the first woman to be pregnant and homeless, nor will you be the last.

Like anyone else, a pregnant homeless woman has three unplanned pregnancy options. You can choose to:

• Parent your child

• Place your child for adoption

• Terminate your pregnancy

However, not all of these options may be realistically possible for you as a homeless, pregnant woman. That’s why it’s so important that you learn as much as you can about all of your unplanned pregnancy options before moving forward — so you can choose the path that is right for you.

American Adoptions’ counselors are here to help. Please note that, while we are an adoption agency, this article is not designed to sway you toward adoption. Instead, it was written purely in an attempt to educate you about unexpected pregnancy choices for homeless pregnant women.

While facing homelessness while pregnant can be frightening, you don’t have to handle this on your own. Remember that if you have any questions about your three pregnancy options, you can always contact American Adoptions online or at 1-800-ADOPTION to get free information.

1. Parenting After You Are Homeless While Pregnant

The first question any pregnant woman has to ask herself is whether or not she’s ready to parent. This is no different for you, even if you happen to be homeless and pregnant. A few questions we normally recommend you ask yourself if you're considering parenting are:

• "Can I financially provide for this baby?" It costs an average of $233,610 to raise a child until the age of 18, a figure which can be daunting to anyone.

• "Will the baby’s father be involved in his or her upbringing?" If not, do you have a support system that will be dependable?

• "Do I want to be a mother?"

• "At this point in my life, can I provide the kind of life I want for this child?"

If you believe you want to parent your child, no one can tell you differently. The choice is yours and yours alone.

Depending on which state you live in, you may want to begin researching homeless shelters for pregnant women and new mothers. Help for homeless pregnant mothers does indeed exist.

However, if you aren’t sure that parenting is the right path for you, there are still two other options for homeless pregnant women.

2. Abortion for a Homeless, Pregnant Woman

If you don’t feel ready to become a parent at this point in your life, there are still additional options for your baby. One of those is abortion. While abortion laws vary in each state, in some cases you may be required to:

• Obtain parental permission if you are under 18.

• Observe a mandatory waiting period between your first consultation with a doctor and actually having the abortion.

• Obtain your abortion before viability. In most states, it is illegal to perform a “late-term abortion,” or one that occurs in the latter half of the second trimester or beyond.

Since abortion laws do fluctuate so much depending on the state, you’ll need to research your state’s laws on the practice thoroughly. For more information, reach out to a local abortion services provider.

3. Adoption for a Pregnant, Homeless Woman

Adoption can create a better future for yourself and your baby, as well as make your pregnancy easier to handle. Adoption is always an unplanned pregnancy option as a pregnant homeless woman.

Sometimes this option is overlooked, but it can be an amazing choice for both you and your baby. A few advantages to choosing adoption as a homeless pregnant woman are that:

• Adoption is entirely free to you. You have enough to think about without worrying about affording pregnancy expenses, which is why we offer adoption financial assistance.

• American Adoptions can help to provide you with a safe place to stay during your pregnancy. You may also be eligible to receive financial aid for your living expenses, such as rent, utilities, groceries, maternity clothing, transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, health insurance and more.

• Adoption allows you to know that your child is being raised in a safe, stable environment with parents who have been waiting for him or her.  As the birth parent, you will always have complete control over your adoption plan, including being able to choose the adoptive parents.

• By choosing open adoption, you can still have a lifelong relationship with your child and his or her adoptive parents. Our adoption professionals are happy to help mediate or provide guidance with post-placement contact.

“Jeff and Amanda are wonderful, and I am so thankful I could give them such a gift. We still email and I get pictures. Our little boy is so handsome. They are amazing parents, and I know my son has a huge family who loves and cares so much for him. I am forever thankful for that. Jeff and Amanda saved my baby’s life!” said Candice, a birth mother who chose adoption for her baby.

Again, American Adoptions is here to help you in any way we can. That includes finding you safe housing and access to medical care throughout your pregnancy and more.

We can help connect you to whatever resources you need to improve your current situation. Homelessness is frightening in any circumstances, but you don’t have to face being homeless and pregnant on your own.

No matter which pregnancy option you choose, help for homeless pregnant mothers is available. To speak with a social worker to get free information about your choices, please call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time. American Adoptions has assisted many homeless pregnant women looking at adoption, and we can provide the services and support you need as you make this decision.

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.