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Options for an Unplanned Pregnancy

An unexpected or unplanned pregnancy can be one of the most stressful events in a woman’s life.  You may feel fearful about the uncertainties and concerned about whether this is the right time in your life to parent.  Perhaps you feel too young to parent or that you cannot raise another child when you are already struggle with the child or children you have.  Maybe this pregnancy was forced upon you.  Whatever your situation, we can help you.

The information and questions below can help you explore your options.

One option is to parent your child. Parenting requires more than love. It demands stability, patience, love, time, energy, adequate finances, support, and the ability to place a child’s needs before your own. Parenting involves caring for a child 24 hours a day. Are you ready to guide, educate, discipline in non-violent ways, and nurture a child to adulthood?

You can choose to use your support network of family and friends to help raise your child. Your friends, family and the birth father may help you to parent if you can rely on them and they will commit to specific assistance, such as providing child care while you work or go to school. If you are being pressured to parent by your family and friends, ask yourself if you can you really count on them to help you. Does the child’s father want to parent?

Another option is to allow a relative to legally adopt and parent your child. Do you have a relative whom you would trust to raise your child the way you see fit? Will your relative adopt your baby? How you would feel to see your child at holiday time and occasions when the larger family gets together?

The option of adoption is a legal and an emotional process in which you allow a family to parent your child. Adoption gives children an opportunity for life with loving parents who have the resources to nurture and provide for them. Adopted children are safe, loved, and cherished by their adoptive families. Adoption may be the best gift you can give your child. Adoption may be right for you if you can place the child’s interests above your own emotions and needs. The decision must be your choice.