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Unplanned pregnancy affects millions of women in the United States. In fact, new research shows that there were 1.4 million unplanned pregnancies in 2021 alone. Unplanned pregnancies are most common among young women between the ages of 18 and 24, although they can affect anyone, of any age or upbringing. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in Florida, know that you are not alone.
An unplanned pregnancy can feel like you are in complete crisis. Right now, you may be feeling scared and unsure of what to do. You may not know who to tell or where to go for help. The best thing you can do right now is to find a clinician to confirm your pregnancy. After that, you should take time to learn about your pregnancy options and the pregnancy assistance available to you in Florida.
Options for Pregnant Women in Florida
In Florida, pregnant women have three, basic options. You can choose to parent your baby, place your baby for adoption, or terminate the pregnancy. It is important to know, however, that there are restrictions regarding termination. Currently, women may legally terminate a pregnancy up to 24 weeks. However, in July 2022 this will change, a new law will ban abortions after 15 weeks of gestation.
Parenting your baby is a wonderful option if you have a safe, supportive, and stable home environment, where you can raise a child. This means ensuring that you have the financial means to raise a child, that your home is stable, safe and secure, that the environment is loving and stable, and that you can meet your child’s basic nutritional and medical needs. You should also consider how you will tackle childcare, balance your job or school, and raise a baby. If you are unsure if parenting is the right next step, download this checklist.
If you are not ready to become a parent, or are not able to raise a child at this time, you may also consider adoption. Adoption is a loving choice that requires you to put your child’s needs above your own, and to choose a family that can support him or her for years to come. This is an incredible sacrifice that brings many benefits to children. For example, most children who were adopted grow up in a stable home with two parents, have good relationships with their family, and live above the poverty line. Adoption also has benefits for birth mothers. It can give you the chance to continue working on your personal, academic, and professional goals.
As you explore your pregnancy options, it is important to remember that this is your choice. You are in charge of this pregnancy. While you may not have planned to get pregnant right now, you can make a loving and thoughtful plan for the future of you and your child. No one can make this decision for you, but it is important to have professional assistance, education, and support along the way.
If you would like to learn about adoption, you can always contact an adoption agency in Florida for information and support. Contacting an adoption agency does not mean you are obligated to make an adoption plan. A good adoption agency will have extensive experience with helping pregnant women in Florida. They will know about the laws in Florida, your rights as an expectant mother, and can direct you to the resources you need.
If you decide you would like to move forward with an adoption, then an adoption agency’s services will prove even more valuable. Many adoption agencies provide financial assistance to pregnant women in Florida, covering the costs of the adoption, counseling, and other maternity-related expenses. Adoptions With Love, for example, can help with uninsured medical costs relating to the pregnancy and adoption, as well as assist with housing.
If you are thinking about placing your baby for adoption in Florida, read on. Here, we will break down the free services and assistance offered to expectant/birth parents in Florida, both before and after the adoption is complete.
Pregnancy Assistance in Florida, for Women Considering Adoption
Financial Assistance:
When it comes to Florida adoption, there are restrictions on legal expenses that the state courts may deem excessive. This applies to adoptions within the Florida Department of Children and Family Service. However, when an expectant mother chooses a private adoption agency, (such as Adoptions With Love), that private group is permitted to cover whatever expenses they deem necessary to pregnancy and adoption.
At Adoptions With Love, the following assistance is offered to pregnant women considering adoption in Florida:
- Housing assistance – including a deposit and several months of rent
- Phone bill(s)
- Maternity clothing
- Groceries
- Utilities
- Other living expenses, as needed & related to the pregnancy/adoption
As an expectant mother, you should never feel overly stressed during pregnancy, especially financially. You can rely on the financial assistance of an adoption agency to help you. This will allow you to focus on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Comprehensive Counseling Services:
Counseling is deemed a reasonable fee for professional services involved in pregnancy and adoption, according to the State of Florida.
Adoptions With Love offers free counseling services as you explore your pregnancy options. If you choose adoption, these counseling services will extend throughout the adoption process and after the placement is finalized. Our compassionate and experienced counselors will assist you, listen to you, and offer their expert guidance as you navigate this journey.
Medical Assistance:
When pregnant, it is important to have access to quality healthcare. As an expectant mother, you should attend regular prenatal appointments to ensure the health and safety of your baby, and yourself. It is also important to have a doctor or midwife with whom you feel comfortable. This professional (or team of professionals) are caring for you at your most vulnerable state and getting up close with you on a regular basis.
If you do not have a doctor or midwife, Adoptions With Love can help you find one that can understand your emotional and physical needs. If you choose adoption, we can also help you coordinate a hospital plan, and ensure a supportive staff will be there for you at the time of labor and delivery. Adoptions With Love will cover any uninsured medical expenses once the adoption is complete.
Adoption Assistance for Pregnant Women in Florida:
Designing an Adoption Plan:
Every expectant/birth mother has unique needs. When you choose to work with a Florida adoption agency, such as Adoptions With Love, you are trusting that organization to help plan your child’s future. Adoptions With Love offers assistance in custom-designing an adoption plan that meets your needs and fulfills your wishes. Would you like to have an open adoption that includes regular email updates with your child’s photos and progress? Are you looking for a closed adoption to make a fresh start? Whatever type of adoption plan you dream of, your adoption counselor can help. Adoptions With Love also offers the opportunity to choose and meet the adoptive family, if you wish.
Legal Assistance:
Legal representation is needed for adoption in Florida. A full-service adoption agency like Adoptions With Love can offer you an expert team of attorneys who are experienced with adoption in the Sunshine State. Adoption laws vary by state and can be complex. The legal team for Adoptions With Love can help ensure that your rights are respected and upheld. They can also help you understand those rights and answer any questions you may have throughout the adoption process.
Ongoing Counseling and Communication:
Once the adoption is complete, the experience is not over. Adoption is not a sprint – or even a marathon. It is a lifelong journey. Adoptions With Love understands that this is a long, complicated road. We will help you navigate it, offering ongoing contact and support with your child’s adoptive family.
For birth parents who choose to keep their adoption closed, Adoptions With Love saves pictures and letters from the adoptive family over the years. These letters and photos are always available to birth parents if and when they want them.
The ongoing contact continues with adoption specialists, as well. We consider our birth parents a part of our family, and we will check in to see how you are doing over the years.
Learn More About Our Pregnancy and Adoption Assistance in Florida
Are you living in Florida and unsure of where to turn for help? Whether you are in your first trimester or have already given birth, you can always reach out to Adoptions With Love for support and guidance. We can answer any questions you may have about adoptions and your pregnancy options in Florida. If you would like to move forward with adoption, we can guide you through the adoption journey without any pressure, judgement, or criticism.
Learn more about our free services for expectant/birth mothers today. Call us at 800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.