When you’re faced with an unplanned pregnancy, one of the first questions you have is “What do I do now?” Today, we’re going to take an in-depth look at each of your three pregnancy options (abortion, adoption, and parenting) and discuss some common misconceptions and questions around each of them. Still have questions? Contact LifeNet today at 530.727.9888 to schedule a free appointment with a member of our staff.
Abortion
Abortion is often one of the first pregnancy options that comes to mind when you discover you are pregnant unexpectedly. However, since it is the option that requires medication or surgery, it is the one you need to know the most about so you can make an informed decision about your pregnancy. There are two main types of abortion: medical abortion and surgical abortion.
Medical abortion is another name for taking the abortion pill; you can learn more about this medication and the potential risks here.
- There are two different types of surgical abortion: aspiration abortions (performed up to 15 weeks of pregnancy) and dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortions (performed after 15 weeks of pregnancy).
For more information on these abortion options and the potential risks associated with each, schedule your free pre-abortion consultation with a member of our staff today. We are dedicated to taking the time to talk through all of your pregnancy options, including abortion. We discuss your other options not to discourage you, but to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
Adoption
A common myth in today’s society is that you should feel ashamed in making an adoption plan. It takes a great deal of courage to choose adoption for your child, and there is no shame in choosing this option, as you are gifting another family with the ability to raise a child that they may be unable to have otherwise. This is why adoption is sometimes referred to as “alternative parenting.” There are three main types of adoption: closed, semi-open, and open. Each refers to the level of contact you want to have with the adoptive parents during and after the adoption process:
- In a closed adoption, neither you nor the adoptive parents will have any contact with each other. You each have an adoption representative that will communicate on your behalf. Your adoption representative will meet with you and discuss your questions and concerns and then choose an adoptive family that they feel is best suited for your situation.
- In a semi-open adoption, you are able to view profiles of potential adoptive families and have some say in which family her child is placed with. You may have some contact with the adoptive parents during the process, but once the adoption is finalized, all contact is typically handled through the adoption agency. If you’d like to receive updates on how your child is doing after the adoption, you can request pictures and/or letters from the adoptive family that will be passed on to you through your adoption agency representative.
- In an open adoption, there is a great deal of communication between yourself and the adoptive parents, both during and after the adoption is finalized. Both you and the adoptive parents can decide upon the level of involvement you’d like to have in your child’s life after he is placed with the adoptive family.
For each type of adoption, there are benefits and drawbacks of each. If you are considering this parenting option, it’s important that you’ve processed through each of the types of adoption and know all of the facts. At LifeNet, we offer free consultations on your adoption options; call us at 530.727.9888 to schedule an appointment today.
Parenting
The third pregnancy option available to you is parenting: carrying the pregnancy to term and raising your child. While this can seem like an impossible task to women and couples who were not expecting a pregnancy, parenting is not as difficult as you might think. There are many resources and organizations that offer free support and guidance to prepare you for parenthood and what comes after. We offer free parenting classes and resources to women and men in our community, and Learning for Life program allows you to earn credits to purchase maternity and baby items.
Contact Us
We are committed to providing you with a safe and judgment free space where you can come and ask questions and process your thoughts and concerns. Our only goal is to provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to be able to make an informed decision that is best for you. Call us today at 530.727.9888 to schedule an appointment. We’d love to meet with you.