Facing an unplanned pregnancy in Wisconsin — or anywhere else, for that matter — can be stressful. At this point, you might feel overwhelmed with questions and with the decision ahead of you. Try to remember that you are not alone; you have options, and there is help available to you.

In fact, American Adoptions provides free, 24/7 counseling to women facing an unintended pregnancy in Wisconsin or anywhere else in the U.S. While we specialize in providing adoption services, we know that this is not the right unplanned pregnancy option for everyone. When you call our hotline at 1-800-ADOPTION, we can give you free, confidential, no-obligation information about all of your unplanned pregnancy options in Wisconsin — not just adoption. You deserve to have all of the information you need to make the decision that is truly best for you.

In the meantime, we’ve included some of the information you need about your Wisconsin pregnancy options here.

What Are My Options if I’m Pregnant in Wisconsin?

In general, every woman facing an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy in Wisconsin has three options: parenting, abortion and adoption. There are a number of factors to consider as you choose the path that’s right for you and your baby. To help you in your decision-making process, we’ve outlined the facts about each of your three options for unplanned pregnancy in Wisconsin here.

Option 1: Parenting

When a woman is considering her unplanned pregnancy options in Wisconsin, parenting is often the first one that comes to mind. One of the first questions she may ask herself is, “Am I ready to be a parent?”

It’s impossible for an article you read on the internet to tell you whether or not you are ready to raise a child. However, we can give you some information about what it takes to raise a baby, so you can decide whether it’s a commitment you’re ready to make.

Here’s what you should consider if you are thinking about parenting your baby in Wisconsin:

• Your mental and emotional readiness. It takes commitment, patience and sacrifice to raise a child, and the responsibilities can sometimes be overwhelming. If you’re not sure that you’re mentally or emotionally ready to parent, a counselor may be able to help you sort through those feelings. These professionals can also help you make a plan for what to do if you’re not ready to be a parent in WI.

• Cost. In addition to your emotional and mental readiness, parenting also requires some financial preparedness. On average, it costs about $245,000 to raise a child to age 18, and some women facing an unplanned pregnancy in Wisconsin aren’t prepared for those unexpected costs. However, if you truly feel that parenting is the right option for you, you may qualify for financial assistance through programs funded by the state of Wisconsin.

• Your current circumstances. Deciding to parent is about more than assessing your own ability to care for a child; it also requires you to assess the situation around you. Are you currently in a position to offer the stability your baby needs? Is your living environment a healthy one in which to raise a child? Will the people around you be a positive influence on your baby? These are all factors to consider before deciding to bring a new baby into your current situation.

• Your future goals. Raising a child is a commitment that lasts at least 18 years, and when you become a parent, you often must put your child’s needs above your own goals and plans. If necessary, are you ready to delay your career goals or plans for further education to raise a child? It’s important to think about the long-term benefits and consequences of choosing to parent.

If you’re debating between parenting vs. adoption in Wisconsin, an adoption specialist may be able to help. You can call 1-800-ADOPTION any time or request free information online to learn more about raising your baby or placing them for adoption.

Option 2: Abortion

Abortion is another one of your options for unwanted pregnancy in Wisconsin. If you are considering this as one of your early pregnancy options in WI, it’s crucial to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. They can assess your medical history and the stage of your pregnancy to determine whether abortion is a viable option in your circumstances.

You will also need to factor in your state’s abortion laws when considering your unwanted pregnancy options in WI. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the following abortion restrictions were in effect in Wisconsin as of Jan. 1, 2018:

• A woman must receive in-person, state-directed counseling designed to discourage her from having an abortion.

• A woman must wait 24 hours after receiving counseling before having the abortion procedure, necessitating two trips to the abortion clinic.

• Health plans under the Affordable Care Act can only cover abortion in cases of compromised health, life endangerment or rape or incest.

• The abortion pill cannot be administered via telemedicine.

• The parent of a minor usually has to consent before an abortion is provided.

• Public funding for abortion is only available in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest, or when the procedure is necessary to prevent long-lasting damage to the woman’s physical health.

• An ultrasound must be provided before an abortion, and the provider must show and describe the ultrasound image to the woman.

• Abortions may not be performed at 20 or more weeks unless the woman’s life is endangered or her health is severely compromised.

To learn more about abortion in Wisconsin, always consult reliable sources like Planned Parenthood. You can also contact American Adoptions if you’d like more information about adoption vs. abortion in Wisconsin.

Option 3: Adoption

Women considering their options for unplanned pregnancy in Wisconsin have one more alternative to consider: adoption. Of their three unplanned pregnancy options, this one may be the most misunderstood; there are many myths about adoption and how it works today.

American Adoptions is here to set the record straight and provide the adoption information you need, completely for free and with no obligation. You can learn more at any time by calling 1-800-ADOPTION to speak with an adoption specialist.

Until then, here are some important facts about adoption in Wisconsin that you may not have been aware of:

• Adoption is completely free to you. You may even be eligible to receive financial assistance in the form of living expenses throughout your pregnancy.

• You can know and have a relationship with your child. Today, nearly all adoptions are open adoptions — which means you can watch your baby grow up and have a relationship with them and their adoptive family.

• You are always in charge of the adoption process. You’ll get to make your own adoption plan, which includes choosing the adoptive family, planning your hospital stay, deciding what type of relationship you want to have after the adoption and more.

• Adoptive families are thoroughly screened. All of American Adoptions’ families go through an extensive screening process to ensure they will provide the best life possible to an adopted child.

• Adoption is always an option. No matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, no matter if your baby has already been born, and no matter what your circumstances are, it’s never too late to choose adoption for your baby.

If you are considering adoption as one of your Wisconsin unplanned pregnancy options, you can contact American Adoptions at any time to learn more or to start the process. An adoption specialist will be there every step of the way to provide the education, support and guidance you need.

To learn more about your unplanned pregnancy options in Wisconsin, call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time.

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.