Call: 800-722-7731
Text: 617-777-0072
Finding yourself 16 and pregnant is an overwhelming experience. Right now, you may feel lost, scared, and all alone. Rest assured: You do not have to face this experience alone.
Adoptions With Love can help you navigate this situation. If you are considering adoption, call 800-722-7731 at any time for commitment-free information.
Being 16 and pregnant, you may panic. You are in high school. Tests, school dances, and driving lessons have been on your mind. Facing an unplanned pregnancy is completely unexpected. It may be comforting to know that unplanned teen pregnancies are common. Thousands of babies are born to teenaged mothers each year in the U.S.
You may be trying to figure out what to do. The good news is that you have options. While some teens consider abortion, others feel they do not wish to take this path. If you do not want – or cannot – to have an abortion, but you know that you are not ready to become a parent, you may be considering adoption.
Can you place your baby for adoption as a 16-year-old?
Yes. Adoption is always an option, even if you are 16 and pregnant. While it may feel intimidating, choosing adoption can be a positive choice for you and your child.
The first place to start is with a reputable and experienced adoption agency. Adoptions With Love, for example, has been helping expectant/birth mothers like you since 1986 – long before you were born! Contact us at any time for support. In the meantime, read this guide to get an idea of your options, areas for support, and how you can make a positive decision for yourself.
Having a Baby at 16
The first option that many expectant/birth parents consider is parenting their child. While this may seem like a nice option, it is a life-changing, lifelong commitment. This decision cannot be made on a whim. It requires much thought, consideration, and planning.
Teens who decide to parent their child often face a long, difficult road. While you may feel mature enough, the reality is that you are still a child yourself. You are a minor that must rely on your parents or guardians. Before deciding whether to raise your child, you will need to ask yourself some serious questions, such as:
- How will I support myself and my child?
- Will I be able to continue school? Who will care for my child during the school day? How will I have time to study and complete my homework assignments?
- What kind of life will my child have?
Facing this decision as a minor, you should consider your parents or guardians. Will you live with them? Will they help you raise the child? What will it be like living together once you have a baby?
Having a baby at 16 is possible. There are resources to help, but it can be a shift from the future you may have planned. If you picture yourself moving into a 4-year college or university, that dream may have to change shape. Students are not typically allowed to share a dorm room with a child.
Having an Abortion at 16
Termination is another common consideration when pregnant at 16. If you are thinking about this choice, you will want to first speak with a healthcare professional. Your doctor can help you understand the methods (procedure or medication), the risks, and the side effects of abortion. Depending on your state and how far along you are, you may not be able to have an abortion near home. You may also need parental consent before the procedure or medication.
Since abortion is a medical procedure and your body is still developing at age 16, you must consider this option with great care. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, abortion care has changed significantly in this country. Adoptions With Love supports a woman’s right to choose. This is your decision. No one should force you into – or out of – this choice. It can be helpful, however, to speak with a counselor before making your decision.
Planning Adoption at 16
Another option to consider is adoption. This is not an alternative to abortion, but it can be a positive choice for anyone who is not yet ready to parent. Like abortion, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional once you learn you are pregnant. Your doctor can determine how far along you are in the pregnancy and understand the impact the pregnancy and childbirth will have on your physical and mental health.
Adoption is another decision that should be taken with great care. Carrying a child to term, giving birth, and then placing that child with adoptive parents is a serious commitment. It can be a positive path if you want to ensure a bright future for your child. It can also bring you many benefits.
When choosing adoption, you have many decisions to make. You can choose your child’s adoptive parent(s) by browsing adoptive family profiles. Your adoption agency can show you these profiles, which contain photos, letters, and stories. Every hopeful adoptive individual or couple is pre-approved with the Home Study. This process, which takes several months to complete, ensures that each child is placed in a safe, stable, and loving home. The Home Study includes a thorough screening and background check, the review of important medical and financial documents, and several at-home visits and interviews with each person in the adoptive family’s household. With a Home Study, you can rest assured that your child will be well cared-for, loved, healthy, and safe.
Another choice is the type of adoption plan you would like to design. Your adoption agency can help you with this step. At Adoptions With Love, you can choose from:
Every adoption plan is different. Open adoption means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive parents. You can choose the way to stay connected and how frequently you would like to do so. You may choose to stay connected with text messages, email updates, phone calls, or in-person reunions. With an open adoption, you can still see your child grow and stay connected to their family, while having the freedom to pursue your own dreams.
Being 16 and pregnant means your life is still ahead of you. No matter which path you choose to take, you can get the help you need.
If you choose adoption, you can rest assured that you will be supported every step of the journey. At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents choosing adoption have access to the following services – all free of charge:
Financial assistance, such as phone bills, transportation, and even maternity clothes, as needed.
Medical coverage. We can help you find a midwife or doctor with whom you can feel comfortable and cover any uninsured medical expenses related to pregnancy or birth.
Legal support. Our team of adoption attorneys can help you understand the adoption process, your rights as a birth parent, and answer any questions you may have.
Compassionate counseling. Our experienced and dedicated counselors can offer you emotional support before and after the adoption is complete.
Adoption planning and ongoing support. We can help guide you through every step of the adoption plan and offer ongoing support for years to come.
Learn More About Adoption
If you are 16 and pregnant, you can get the support you need during this stressful time of your life. Contact Adoptions With Love today. We can offer you the information you need – obligation-free. Call 800-722-7731, text (confidentially) 617-777-0072, or contact us online. We can help you make a positive plan that will offer you a bright and hopeful future.