Unplanned pregnancies are very common. In fact, as many as 45% of pregnancies worldwide are unplanned.
As common as unplanned pregnancies are, it doesn’t make them any easier to come to terms with. Having a baby is one of the most life-changing decisions you can make. Some women feel that they are not ready. Some women feel they will never be ready. Some women already have kids and cannot consider having another one. All in all, there are many possible reasons why following through with the pregnancy may not always be the desirable option. But the alternative options can seem equally terrifying.
Of course, you will inevitably have to make a decision and there are really only three options:
- Decide to have the baby and raise it as your own
- Decide to have the baby and allow someone else adopt else the child
- Decide not to have the baby and explore abortion treatment options
While it may seem like you have very little time to make a decision, in most cases there is time to explore your options. Some of the steps you can take to help you make a decision include:
Researching local abortion and adoption legality
It’s important to understand local laws surrounding abortion and adoption. Can you get an abortion in your state? If so, what is the latest point at which you can apply for an abortion? How early do you have to apply for adoption if you decide to go down this route? These are all important things to look into that could help shape your choice.
Talking to family and friends
It is worth talking to friends and family members to get their input if you are not certain how to proceed. Talk to a wide range of family members and friends if you can. Obviously, these should all be people who feel comfortable opening up to. Make sure to talk to your partner too if you are still together.
Speaking to a pregnancy counselor
A pregnancy counselor can act as a neutral party. They can be useful to talk to if you feel that you have no-one else to talk to. That said, even if you do have lots of people to talk to, they can still be useful for providing professional guidance. Consider looking into local pregnancy counseling services online. These resources can offer more information on where to find support: https://consideringadoption.com/pregnant/unplanned-pregnancy-help/unplanned-pregnancy-counseling/
Joining a support group
There are support groups that can help you to connect with other people in the same situation. If you decide to follow through with the unplanned pregnancy, there are also support groups that you can join to help you through pregnancy, birth and beyond - such as this support group at https://embracegrace.com/unplanned-pregnancy-support-group-in-indiana. There are also support groups that you can join to talk to other people who have chosen the routes of abortion or adoption, allowing you to process your feelings with people who have had to make the same decision.
Reading stories on online forums
There are many online forums where you will find people discussing unplanned pregnancy situations and requesting feedback. These are not always the best places to seek advice, however they can help open you up to new perspectives.
An important final word…
There is no objectively right/wrong decision that you can make when deciding how to proceed with an unplanned pregnancy. It is solely up to the personal preference of the carrier of the child.
The opinion of the man should be seriously considered if you are both in a loving committed relationship. But ultimately they cannot force you to make a decision that you are not fully behind as it is your body. Spend at least a few days weighing up your options - then trust your gut instincts and don’t look back.
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