What to Do if You Are Pregnant and Don’t Want to Be

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy? Wondering what to do if you are pregnant and don’t want to be? It can be an overwhelming experience. You may be feeling scared, stressed, and all alone. It is important to know, however, that you do not have to face this alone. You can get the support you need and the compassionate care you deserve.

Consider Your Pregnancy Options

You may not have planned this pregnancy, but you can take charge of the situation now. You have three basic choices:

• Parenthood
• Abortion
• Adoption

The decisions you make regarding your pregnancy are highly personal. No one should pressure you into any decision. This is your pregnancy. The options are yours and yours alone. You can get support and guidance, but no one can make the decision for you. Only you will know what is best for your life. Still, it can help to learn about each of your choices. Read on to learn more about each of your pregnancy options.

Parenthood

Many parents consider parenthood when facing pregnancy, even when it is unplanned. While parenthood can be rewarding and joyful, it is also a lifelong commitment. It is a complete change of lifestyle. It is also time-consuming and costly. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of raising a child in the U.S. today – from birth to age 18 – is $310, 605. Raising a child requires emotional support, as well. Before deciding to parent your child, ask yourself the following questions:

• How will I support my growing family? Will I be able to work?
• Can I afford paid childcare?
• What would my child’s upbringing be like?
• Do I have support to assist me?

These are just a few examples of the important questions to ask yourself before committing to parenthood.

Abortion

If you cannot – or do not wish to – carry your pregnancy to term, you may be considering abortion. Abortion care is a complicated matter in the U.S. The laws surrounding abortion have changed dramatically since Roe v. Wade was reversed as a constitutional right in June of 2022. Today, abortion laws vary greatly by state. At Adoptions With Love, we believe in a woman’s right to choose. If you live in a state that has banned – or limited – abortion care, you can travel to another state to get one. Traveling to another state can be costly. There are resources that can help you get a safe and legal abortion.

Adoption

If parenthood is not the right choice for you, and abortion is not for you, either, you have one more option: Adoption. It is important to recognize that adoption is not an alternative to abortion.

Adoption is a positive choice for anyone who is not yet ready to raise a child. It offers benefits for everyone involved – including birth mother and child. Adoption gives each person a chance to have a bright and happy future. With adoption, birth mothers can move on to pursue their own personal and professional goals while knowing their child is safe and well-loved. Birth mothers can also take comfort in the fact that, with adoption, they are not saying “goodbye forever.” It is, in fact, the start of a new beginning.

Thanks to open adoption, birth mothers can choose their child’s adoptive family and custom design an adoption plan that meets their unique needs. An adoption plan can look different for everyone, but an open adoption plan means there is ongoing communication between birth and adoptive families after the adoption is complete.

With the help of a supportive adoption agency, you can get the support, resources, and guidance you need throughout the adoption process. At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents who choose adoption have access to the following services at no cost:

• Housing assistance. We can cover a deposit and several months of rent.
• Other living expenses, including utilities, food bills, phone bills, and even maternity clothes, as needed.
• Medical coverage. We can help you find a midwife or doctor with whom you feel comfortable, and cover any uninsured medical expenses related to pregnancy and birth.
• Counseling services offered before and after the adoption is
• Legal support by experienced adoption attorneys who are well-versed in the adoption laws of your state.
• Adoption planning services, including assistance designing your adoption plan and finding the perfect adoptive family for your child.
• Ongoing support. We keep in touch for the many years following your child’s adoption.

Adoptions with Love believes that expectant/birth mothers should make informed decisions that best fit their unique needs. There is never any pressure, judgment, or critique related to adoption decisions. Our team of adoption attorneys can meet you at a time and place that is convenient for you and answer any questions you have about the adoption process. Our compassionate counselors can work with you 24/7 to help you navigate your emotions throughout the adoption journey.

Learn More About Adoption

Still considering what to do if you are pregnant and don’t want to be? Contact an adoption agency for support and guidance. Adoptions With Love can give you information you need about the adoption process – obligation-free – to help you make a decision that will work best for you and your baby.

Reach out to Adoptions With Love any time of day, any day of the week. Call 800-722-7731, text (confidentially) 617-777-0072, or contact us online. We can help you lovingly make an adoption plan for your baby and make you feel supported throughout the adoption journey.