If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant and you weren’t planning on it, the flood of emotions can feel impossible to sort through. Confusion, fear, sadness, and uncertainty are all completely normal. You may not know where to turn — or even what your options are.
That’s exactly what pregnancy counseling is here for.
At Lifetime Adoption, we offer free, confidential pregnancy counseling to women facing unplanned pregnancies across the United States. Whether you’re exploring adoption, parenting, or just need someone to talk to right now, we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text us at 1-800-923-6784.
What Is Pregnancy Counseling?
Pregnancy counseling is a supportive, judgment-free conversation with a trained counselor who helps you process your emotions and understand your options. It’s not about telling you what to do — it’s about giving you the space, information, and support to make the decision that’s right for you.
For women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy counseling can help you:
- Work through feelings of fear, shame, or uncertainty
- Understand your options, including adoption, parenting, and other resources
- Ask questions you might be afraid to ask anyone else
- Create a plan that reflects your values and circumstances
Lifetime’s pregnancy counselors are available around the clock — because we know crises don’t follow business hours.
Another important resource that Lifetime Adoption can provide is access to a licensed, a third-party therapist. By “third-party,” we mean that this counselor has no personal interest in whether or not you follow through with adoption. She is there to help you sort through the range of emotions you might be dealing with. It often helps to speak with a non-biased counselor who’s not directly assisting with your adoption.
Deciding on adoption for your child can be difficult. Getting pre adoption counseling from a licensed professional can help you work through your decision-making process. It can also help you in coping with all the emotions that come up during your adoption journey.
Adoption is an emotional experience, and anyone thinking about adoption should receive the education they need to make the best decision for their situation. Lifetime will connect you with the support and counseling you need to process difficult emotions.
What to Expect in a Pregnancy Counseling Session
Many women don’t know what to expect when they first reach out. Here’s what a typical first conversation with a counselor looks like:
You’ll be heard first. There’s no script and no pressure. Your counselor will listen to your situation and let you share at your own pace.
You’ll get honest information. We’ll walk you through the adoption process — what it looks like, what your rights are, how open adoption works — without pressuring you toward any specific outcome.
You’ll leave with a clearer head. Most women say they feel a sense of relief just from having someone to talk to who truly understands what they’re going through.
One birth mother, Jessica, 23, shared: “I talked to a woman who placed her baby seven years ago. Because of her support, I knew what to expect after placement. I felt normal because of her. She offered me a shoulder to cry on and didn’t judge me.”
Types of Pregnancy Counseling Support We Offer
One-on-One Counseling with a Licensed Adoption Counselor
A licensed counselor is available to speak with you both before and after your baby’s birth. These conversations are private and completely free. You can ask about the adoption process, your legal rights, how to talk to the birth father, and much more.
Peer Support from Women Who’ve Been There
Through Lifetime’s peer support network, you can connect with another woman who has personally chosen adoption and navigated the same emotions you’re experiencing. She can share how she told her family, how she worked through her grief, and what life looked like after placement. There’s something uniquely powerful about talking to someone who has lived it.
24/7 Availability
Lifetime Adoption’s staff are available any time — day or night. You don’t have to wait for an appointment. You can Call or text us right now at 1-800-923-6784 and speak with an Adoption Coordinator immediately. All of Lifetime’s services are 100% free and completely confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Counseling
Is pregnancy counseling free?
Yes. All of Lifetime Adoption’s counseling services, including peer support and one-on-one sessions with a licensed counselor, are completely free to you.
Do I have to choose adoption to receive counseling?
No. Our pregnancy counselors are here to support you regardless of what you ultimately decide. We provide information and emotional support so you can make the right choice for yourself.
Is everything I share confidential?
Yes. Your conversations with our counselors are completely private. We never share your information without your consent.
When can I speak with someone?
Right now, if you’d like. Lifetime’s staff are available 24/7. Call or text 1-800-923-6784.
What if I’m not sure adoption is right for me?
That’s okay. Pregnancy counseling is specifically designed to help you work through your options without pressure. Many women who call us are uncertain, and that’s a completely valid place to start.
You Are Not Alone
It’s easy to feel isolated when facing an unplanned pregnancy — like no one could possibly understand what you’re going through. But you are not alone. Since 1986, Lifetime Adoption has helped thousands of women work through this exact situation. We’ve supported birth mothers from all walks of life, and we meet you exactly where you are.
You don’t have to have it all figured out before you call. You just have to make one move: reach out.
Call or text with an Adoption Coordinator at 1-800-923-6784.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on December 13, 2016, and has since been updated.
As Vice President of Lifetime Adoption, Heather Featherston holds an MBA and is passionate about working with those facing adoption, pregnancy, and parenting issues. Heather has conducted training for birth parent advocates, spoken to professional groups, and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the multiple aspects of adoption. She has provided one-on-one support to women and hopeful adoptive parents working through adoption decisions.
Since 2002, she has been helping pregnant women and others in crisis to learn more about adoption. Heather also trains and speaks nationwide to pregnancy clinics to effectively meet the needs of women who want to explore adoption for their child. Today, she continues to address the concerns women have about adoption and supports the needs of women who choose adoption for their child.
As a published author of the book Called to Adoption, Featherston loves to see God’s hand at work every day as she helps children and families come together through adoption.
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