Your Pregnancy Options: Parenting, Adoption vs. Abortion?
Once you come to terms with your pregnancy, you’ll find three options: parenting, abortion or adoption. Whichever path you choose, each choice has long-term effects and each should be considered carefully. It might even be a good idea to take out a notebook and list the pros and cons of each option, and consider your values, abilities, and available resources for each option.
If possible, discuss your thoughts with someone trustworthy—whether it’s the baby’s father, a family member, a friend, a pastor, or a counselor. Seek someone who listens without judgment and helps you navigate through your feelings and thoughts.
If you are thinking about your pregnancy options, here are some of the things you should think about with each of the alternatives to abortion.
Parenting
Raising a child can be a wonderful, rewarding part of life, and babies tug at our heartstrings in a way nothing else can. When you are emotionally and financially ready to parent a child, it is a magical change in your life. If you are not ready, you need to take stock of your life and look realistically at your abilities. Here are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself:
- Do I have a support system such as the baby’s father, family, and friends that I know I can rely on to support me for the long term?
- Is my home an appropriate place to bring a baby home to?
- Are my financial resources strong enough to stay home from work or pay for daycare?
- Am I ready to change my lifestyle?
Becoming a parent changes everything in your life. All of a sudden, this baby is relying on you to care for, love, and protect them. The baby becomes the most important thing in your life, and her needs must come before your own. Babies may keep you up all night. Toddlers will try your patience and take a lot of energy, and then there are sports teams or Boy Scouts and other activities that take your time and resources. Then you get to head into the teenage years.
Parenting is one of the most wonderful and rewarding pregnancy options when you are ready, but it is hard.
Adoption vs. Abortion – What Does Abortion Mean?
Abortion means terminating your pregnancy. Depending on how far along you are and what state you live in will determine your options. A doctor can perform an abortion, or up to 9 weeks there is an abortion pill.
Some think this is an easy way to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. This option does require a lot of thought, and counseling is advised. Many women have long-term regret and feel guilt, and while there may be a sense of relief, there is also sadness.
There are also potential physical risks with both the abortion procedure and the abortion pill. They can lead to infertility issues, infection, heavy bleeding, and even death.
Before you make this decision, make sure that you research the baby’s developmental stages during pregnancy and consider the effects on your body that come along with abortion. It is important to mention that if you take the abortion pill and change your mind after you take the first pill, you can call a hotline at 877-558-0333, and they will put you in touch with a doctor who may be able to reverse the effects. Please be sure to read all about the alternatives to abortion before making this decision.
Adoption vs. Abortion – What’s Involved With Adoption?
Adoption is another choice if parenting is not an option. Adoption can be a positive choice, and modern, open adoption means you will not have to say goodbye to your baby forever. You can receive updates, pictures, Zoom time, and even visits. You pick the family to adopt your baby and decide what kind and how much contact to have after the adoption is final. You can watch your child grow up and thrive in their adoptive home and know you made a loving choice for your baby and made an adoptive family’s dreams of growing their family come true.
There may be a situation where you decide to parent but find that it turns out it is not the right choice for you and your baby. Know that it is never too late to choose adoption. You can always call or text Lifetime at 800-923-6784.
Adoption will also come with a lot of different emotions. You will probably feel grief, sadness and joy, and happiness. You may go through those feelings one at a time or have them all at the same time. Counseling is an important part of the adoption journey to help you work through all those feelings.
Pregnancy Options: Alternatives to Abortion
These choices are life-changing, and it’s important to thoroughly think through each option to alleviate any feelings of regret. Consider your future and well-being, along with your baby’s, and be true to your heart. If you’re unsure, seek counseling to guide you through your thoughts and feelings regarding adoption, abortion, or parenting.
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