Unplanned Pregnancy & Choices
So here you are. You peed on that stick and got a positive. You didn’t think it would happen to you. Here’s what you need to do next;
- Go see your doctor. No matter what your decision about your pregnancy, you need to ensure that you are actually pregnant. If you don’t have a regular gyno, or are afraid to go see your regular doctor, visit a Planned Parenthood near you (they offer pregnancy tests for about $16)
- Try and relax.
- Think about the goals you have in life, and if a pregnancy and/or parenting fit into those goals. Do you like kids? Can you carry a pregnancy?
- Think about the people in your life and how a pregnancy will impact their lives (including the person you had sex with.)
You have three choices here. You can parent, adopt out, or terminate. This decision is up to you, and may or may not have a huge impact on the rest of your life. Make the decision that is best for you and your loved ones.
Parenting
Parenting involves carrying the pregnancy to term and raising the resulting child. You may do this on your own, with the father* of your child, with another significant other, or with other family members. If you chose parenting, you should get a regular OBGYN as soon as possible so you can begin prenatal care. Parenting can be stressful, but does have it’s joys. It should not be a punishment, and it should not be forced. Parenting is a journey that lasts the rest of your life.
Valuable Resources:
WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) provides federal grants to states for supplemental food, health care referrals, and nutrition education to low-income, pregnant, and postpartum women, and to children under five.
National Parent Helpline 1.855.4.A.PARENT (1.855.427.2736) provides parents with emotional support.
National School Lunch Program is a government funded effort to feed the children of the United States in schools. Low-income families can apply for a free or reduced lunch. In some areas, this may be the only food available to a child.
In addition, please check out your states individual programs!
Adoption
So you don’t want to be a parent, but you don’t want to terminate the pregnancy. Adoption may be the best choice for you. Adoption involves carrying out the pregnancy and signing over your parental rights. There are closed adoptions and open adoptions. Open adoptions allow the birth parents some updates on how the child is doing, and may even include visitations (on the discretion of the adoptive parents.) If you choose adoption, please go see an OBGYN as soon as possible so you can begin prenatal care.
Valuable Resources:
State Adoption Welfare Managers Contact Information provides state by state links.
For expectant parents considering adoption and birth parents
Please be sure to check our resources near you!
Abortion
1 in 3 women have had an abortion. If you choose to terminate your pregnancy, you are not alone. The vast majority of abortions occur before 12 weeks of pregnancy. Your regular OBGYN may preform abortions, or you may wish to seek out a Planned Parenthood. Depending on how far gestation is determines the kind of abortion you will get. Laws and restrictions vary by state. Legal abortion is a very safe procedure.
Valuable Resources:
Fund Abortion Now provides financial aid to those who cannot afford abortions.
Planned Parenthood describes the different kinds of abortion.
The Guttmacher Institute provides fact sheets about each state’s abortion laws.
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