Unplanned Pregnancy Options and Resources

The moment you learn of an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy is a moment that will change your life forever. The news may come with an overwhelming flood of questions: What are my options if I’m pregnant? Should I keep my baby? What is more expensive, pregnancy or adoption?

But the most important question to ask yourself when learning of an unplanned pregnancy is this: Am I ready to be a parent?

Finding the answer to this question is not always easy. Fortunately, there are many resources and professionals who can help you explore your options and move forward with your unexpected pregnancy.

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What to Do After Learning of an Unplanned Pregnancy

If you have just discovered that you are pregnant, take a deep breath. While an unexpected pregnancy may not be ideal, remember that you have options and that you are not alone; nearly half of all pregnancies are unplanned.

Upon learning that you are pregnant, you should:

Visit a doctor or clinic. Make an appointment with a doctor or clinic to confirm the pregnancy and get advice for your next steps. Your doctor may prescribe you prenatal vitamins and give you some additional suggestions to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
Make healthy changes. It’s recommended that you avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and other substances during pregnancy. Any medications or drugs you take can affect the unborn child. You should follow your doctor’s instructions for proper prenatal care and try to stay active and maintain a healthy diet. You may also want/need to make changes to your driving habits including knowing how to wear your seatbelt correctly now that you are pregnant and taking more frequent breaks on long trips to stretch your legs. Learn more in this guide on Driving While Pregnant.
Build a support system. You are likely feeling a complex mix of emotions, ranging from fear and uncertainty to anger and sadness. Consider talking to a close friend or family member about your unplanned pregnancy, find a support group or reach out to a professional counselor for the emotional support you need.
Learn about your options. When a woman becomes pregnant, she has three options: parenting, adoption and abortion. It is important for you to do careful research and consider the option that is best for you and your baby. Learn more about each of these options below.

What are your options if you’re pregnant?

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you are also facing one of the most difficult decisions of your life: parenting vs. adoption vs. abortion. Here, learn more about each of your unplanned pregnancy options so you can make the best decision for yourself and your baby.

The YourDNA website offers a variety of resources to help you during and after your pregnancy.

Raising the Baby: Am I Ready to be a Parent?

Deciding to become a parent is a significant step in any person’s life. Parenting is a lifelong commitment, and you should consider the following questions before deciding to raise your baby:

Can I afford a child? It costs about $245,000 to raise a child from birth to age 18. Ask yourself if you are financially stable enough to provide your child with housing, education, food, healthcare, and all of the opportunities you want for him or her.
Can I provide the type of life I want for my child? Consider your current life situation and home environment when deciding whether you are ready to parent your child.
Do I have the support I need to raise a baby? Parenting can be challenging, especially if you go it alone. Do you have a supportive partner, friends or family who will be willing to help you raise your child?
Am I willing to put my plans on hold? Raising a child requires a significant commitment of time and energy. When parenting is your first priority, you may have to postpone your educational or career goals to focus on your child.

If you feel confident that you are ready for all of the joys and challenges of parenthood, this may be the right option for you. However, if you decide that you are not in a position to raise a child at this time in your life, you may be wondering what to do if you’re not ready to be a parent.

Ending the Pregnancy: Should I Get an Abortion?

If you are facing an unwanted pregnancy, you may be considering abortion as a “quick and painless” alternative to pregnancy and childbirth. However, abortion is a serious decision that should not be made lightly. Here are some questions to ask before scheduling an abortion:

Is abortion still an option for me at this stage of the pregnancy? It is important that you have an ultrasound to determine what stage you are in the pregnancy. Abortions must be completed early in the pregnancy, often within the first trimester.
Can I afford abortion? Abortion can cost $500 or more depending on the facility you use, the stage of your pregnancy, the type of abortion, and other factors.
Have I found a reliable abortion clinic? It is important to find accurate abortion information and an ethical professional you can trust to perform your abortion. Abortion is a subject that people feel strongly about, so you want to make sure that you work with a professional that is not judgmental.
Am I emotionally prepared for abortion? Understand the emotional risks of abortion. Some women struggle to come to terms with their abortion decision and suffer from feelings of grief, loss and regret long after they end their pregnancy.

Abortion is a personal decision, and you are the only person who can determine whether this option is right for you. However, if you are uncertain of your abortion decision, you may want to consider another option that can give life to your child and give a precious gift by letting someone else raise the child.

Choosing Adoption: How to Know if Adoption is Right for Me

Adoption is a loving, selfless decision that puts you in control of your life and your baby’s future. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you are pregnant and thinking about adoption:

Is adoption still an option for me? Adoption is always an option for you. Whether you have just discovered you are pregnant or are even 35 weeks pregnant and considering adoption, A Child’s Hope can work with you to make an adoption plan for your baby.
Can I afford adoption? Adoption is free for expectant mothers. All of our adoption services are provided at no cost to you, and your legal and medical expenses will be covered. In addition, you can receive financial assistance to cover living and medical expenses like housing, groceries, clothing and gasoline during your pregnancy.
Am I ready to make important adoption decisions? You are always in control of your adoption plan. This means you will select an adoptive family for your baby, determine the type of post-placement relationship you want to have with your child, and more.
Am I emotionally prepared for adoption? Adoption is an emotional process, and feelings of grief and loss are normal for any prospective birth mother. Our adoption counselors will be with you every step of the way to help you process difficult emotions and ensure you are happy with your adoption decision. Our counselors are independent and will not pressure you. They understand how difficult this process is.
Do I want to have a relationship with my child? If you make an adoption plan for your baby, it will be up to you to decide what kind of relationship you want to have with your child and the adoptive parents after placement. With open or semi-open adoption, you can watch your child grow up and remain an important part of his or her life. Your child will always be told how much you loved him or her, and you can also share that information personally with the child.

As an expectant mother, you are the only person who can decide whether you want to raise your baby, end your pregnancy or make an adoption plan. However, you do not have to consider your unplanned pregnancy options alone.

You can call, text or message A Child’s Hope any time, for free and with no obligation to proceed with an adoption plan. An adoption counselor will reach out to discuss your options of adoption vs. keeping the baby and help you make the choice that is right for you.