If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy but are confident that abortion is not in the cards for you, rest assured that other options are available. These options include adoption and parenting.
If you already know abortion is not for you, read the article below on the remaining two options to help you make an informed decision.
Parenting
While babies don’t come with an instruction manual, there are a few essential questions you can ask yourself to help evaluate how prepared you are:
- Do I have a support system in place if I were to raise my baby?
- Where will my baby and I live?
- Is there a way to further my education or career goals if I have a baby?
Parenthood may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to have the answers to all of these questions right away! Whether you have the support of a partner/family or are considering single-parenting, options and resources are available to help you.
Our team at Options for Women Central Minnesota can help you navigate this journey as you consider parenting. Contact us today for a no-cost appointment where you can ask questions and learn about the many resources available.
Adoption
If you are considering placing your baby for adoption, make sure you understand the options available within this choice. As the biological parent, you are in the driver’s seat, so there is a lot of autonomy to create an adoption plan that best fits your situation.
Some terms that are helpful to be aware of include:
- Open Adoption– You have an in-person relationship with your child and your chosen adoptive family. Open adoption makes up the majority of adoptions today.
- Closed Adoption– You do not have a relationship with your child or adoptive family, and the courts seal details about you and the adoption.
- Semi-Open Adoption– You communicate through the adoption agency of your choice to exchange non-identifying information with the adoptive parents.
With multiple types of adoption, you can choose the one that works best for your needs.
In many cases, the adoption agency assists with pregnancy and childbirth medical costs. Plus, the agency can cover other pregnancy-related expenses such as rent, utilities, maternity clothing, etc.
If this is an option that you’re interested in exploring, we also offer no-cost appointments where you can ask all your adoption-related questions in a pressure-free environment.
Next Steps
You are not alone in this journey. Options for Women Central Minnesota is here to walk beside you and make sure you feel empowered to decide what is best for your pregnancy.
Whether you want to schedule a no-cost ultrasound or options consultation, we are here to connect you to local resources and act as a support system on your pregnancy journey. Contact us today!