Unplanned Pregnancy Options: Abortion vs. Adoption vs. Parenting

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 that you should carefully consider. Listing pros and cons of each option, while considering your values, abilities, and available resources may be helpful.

Options for Unplanned Pregnancy: Table of Contents

• Pregnancy Choices: Parenting
• What Does Abortion Mean?
• Adoption vs. Abortion
• Pregnancy Options: Alternatives to Abortion

If possible, discuss your thoughts with someone trustworthy. That may be 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.

Pregnancy Choices: 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. However, you must 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?
• Do I know that I can rely on them 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?

Parenting is one of the most wonderful and rewarding pregnancy options when you are ready, but it is hard.

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.

When you’re thinking about adoption vs. abortion vs abortion, abortion may seem like the easy way out. However, this option does require a lot of thought and counseling is frequently necessary. Many women have long-term regret and feel guilt. They may feel a sense of relief but also sadness.

Both the abortion procedure and the abortion pill include potential future risks. They can lead to infertility issues, infection, heavy bleeding, and even death.

Please be sure to read all about the alternatives to abortion before making this decision. Learn about abortion vs adoption below.

Adoption vs. Abortion

Adoption is another positive choice if parenting is not an option. 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.

You’ll know you made a loving choice for your baby and made an adoptive family’s dreams of growing their family come true. 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.

Unplanned Pregnancy Options: Alternatives to Abortion

These are life-changing choices. Thoroughly assessing each option is important 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.