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If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and living in Virginia, you may be thinking about your options. You may also be asking yourself a million questions, such as ‘What am I going to do?’, ‘Am I ready to become a parent?’, and even, ‘How much does it cost to have a baby in Virginia?’
It is normal to feel overwhelmed at a time like this. Deciding what to do regarding your pregnancy will be one of the biggest decisions of your lifetime. You have three basic options you can choose from:
- Parenthood
- Abortion
- Adoption
Like many expectant/birth parents in this situation, you may be considering parenthood. However, you may be unsure if you can fully provide for a baby at this time. If you are thinking about parenting your baby, you will need plenty of support. You will also need a comfortable financial income to provide for the baby’s basic needs.
Read on, as we explore the costs of having baby in Virginia. This guide is to help you understand what to expect, to help you prepare, and to make the best possible decision for you and your baby.
The Costs of Having a Child in Virginia
There are many people who decide to parent their baby after an unplanned pregnancy. Roughly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are not planned. If you are trying to decide whether this is the right path for you, it is smart to learn about the costs of having a baby in Virginia. It is always better to know what to expect early on, so that you can plan ahead.
As you might expect, raising children is not cheap. In fact, the average cost of raising a child in the U.S. through high school now surpasses $300,000. That is just one child, remember – and it does not factor in college tuition.
Due to inflation, the costs of raising a baby are on the rise—particularly in Virginia. Virginia is considered one of the most expensive states in the U.S. to raise a baby. While it is not the most expensive place to raise a child (that honor goes to nearby Washington, D.C.), it does hold strong in the top ten most expensive states to raise a child.
From basic needs like clothing and food, to childcare and other activities, there are many big financial demands that come along with parenting in Virginia today. Education – even at the public school level – also requires some financial investment.
The Time Commitment of Having a Baby
Another important consideration to make, when considering parenthood, is your time. It is the most limited resource of all, particularly in the U.S., where Americans are cramming more work and activities into their day than ever before.
If you plan to work to support your child – or simply finish school before starting your career – then you will need to find proper childcare. Will you send the baby to daycare? Can a relative help and babysit? You will need to find a caregiver that is trustworthy and will look after your child in a safe, healthy, and stable environment.
After considering the costs and childcare demands for your regular work and/or school schedule, you will also want to consider your own needs.
Looking out for your own health – physically, mentally, and emotionally – is an important consideration to make, as well. Taking the time to take care of yourself will allow you to be a better parent to your child. It will also mean more childcare. Think about all of the moments that you need to be on your own. If you have a relative help while you work or go to school, who will babysit so that you can take a break once in a while, or go out with friends?
Remember, raising a child takes a lot of hard work, and does not end after the newborn days. Having a baby means raising a child for the next 18 years of his or her life.
Parenting can be a wonderful life experience and offers many rewards for those who can do it with the help of a strong support system. As the African proverb goes: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
If you feel, however, that the costs of having a baby in Virginia will be too great, you may want to consider other options. If you do not wish to have an abortion, and you know you are not ready for parenthood, there is still one more option to consider.
Adoption in Virginia
Adoption offers many benefits for expectant/birth parents today. Not only is it free to make an adoption plan for your child, but choosing to work with a private, Virginia adoption agency can also bring financial aid at a time when you need it the most.
Adoptions With Love, for example, offers the following free services for birth parents who choose to place their child for adoption:
- Financial assistance with utilities, phone bills, maternity clothing and other basic needs, as necessary.
- Designing your adoption plan. Birth parents have the power to choose and meet the family that will adopt baby.
- Housing assistance. We can pay a deposit and several months of rent.
- Complete counseling services by compassionate and experienced professionals to assist you in planning for your future and that of your baby.
- Medical care. Adoptions With Love will cover any uninsured medical expenses once the adoption is complete and will help find a doctor or midwife with whom you feel comfortable.
- Legal assistance from experienced adoption attorneys who are well-versed in Virginia adoption laws.
- Ongoing contact through pictures and letters from the adoptive family of your child over the years. This benefit is always available to you. You are also welcome to send letters, pictures or gifts to the child and the adoptive family. You can design an adoption plan to have ongoing face-to-face meetings with your adoptive family or maintain contact through the agency. The choices are yours.
Adoption offers a way for expectant/birth parents to continue pursuing their own personal dreams and professional goals without having to say, “goodbye forever” to their child. Many birth parents find that they form deep and meaningful relationships with their child’s adoptive parents over the years, and find peace in knowing that their child is growing up in a safe, happy, and healthy home. By making an open adoption plan in Virginia, your child can grow up knowing they are raised and loved by two families instead of one.
If you would like to learn more about adoption in Virginia, contact Adoptions With Love today. We can help you make an adoption plan that meets your needs. Contact us any time – we are available 24/7. Call us at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.