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ALL OPTIONS REFLECTION 

This page serves as a helpful resource. We want to make sure this decision is yours. If you feel someone is swaying your decision in one way or another, remember that you have a right to choose what you want to do with your pregnancy and your child.

 

Think you might be pregnant?

The first step is confirming your pregnancy. You can do this by taking an at-home pregnancy test or visiting your healthcare provider or a local clinic.

 

How are you feeling about it?

Finding out you're unexpectedly pregnant can bring up many different emotions—shock, fear, excitement, grief, relief, uncertainty, or a combination of all of these.

 

 

As adoption professionals, we're here to answer questions about adoption. We also encourage you to seek support from people you trust, such as a friend, family member, therapist, or healthcare provider. Websites like Psychology Today allow you to search for providers specializing in pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum mental health.

 

Below are a few questions to consider about your options related to your pregnancy. There are no right or wrong answers. Our advocates are always available to talk through your thoughts and answer questions as you consider parenting, adoption, or abortion.

PARENTING REFLECTION 

  • How do you feel about raising a child at this point in your life?

  • What excites you about parenting? What feels overwhelming?

  • What parts of your life might change if you became a parent?

  • Have you ever cared for a child? What did you learn from those experiences?

  • What strengths do you bring to parenting?

  • What concerns do you have about parenting right now?

  • Who could provide emotional, practical, or financial support?

  • If you work or attend school, what supports might you need to continue doing so?

  • How does your partner or the child’s other parent feel about parenting?

  • Giving birth can require time for physical and emotional recovery. What support and additional information would you need to feel best prepared for your recovery?

  • If you want to raise your child, but feel under-resourced there may be community resources available to you. What resources or support would help make that feel more realistic?

  • Is there any reason the state might deem you temporarily unfit to parent? This may result in Child Protective Services involvement with the goal of reunification.

  • What additional information do you need about state intervention in parenting?

 

​Need resources?

Visit our Resource Page or dial 211 to learn about housing, childcare, food assistance, healthcare, and other community supports. 

ADOPTION REFLECTION 

  • How do you feel about adoption?

  • Think about your current goals and things you look forward to. How might making an adoption plan contribute to these goals?

  • What concerns or questions do you have about adoption?

  • How do you feel about pregnancy and giving birth? 

  • How do you feel about the different types of adoption?

  • What type of relationship, if any, would you want with your child and the adoptive family after placement? 

  • What characteristics, values & beliefs would you like in an adoptive family?

  • How do you feel about adoption being a permanent legal decision?  

  • How does your partner or the child's other parent feel about adoption? 

  • What support would you need during your pregnancy and postpartum if you chose adoption? 

  • Placing your child with an adoptive family can bring up a lot of feelings and emotions. What support would you need emotionally before, during, and after placement? 

  • Giving birth can also require time for physical recovery. What support and additional information would you need to feel best prepared for your physical recovery?

 

​You don't have to figure everything out on your own. An advocate can answer questions about different types of adoption, choosing an adoptive family, your legal rights, and what to expect throughout the adoption process.

ABORTION REFLECTION 

  • How do you feel about abortion? 

  • Think about your current goals and things you look forward to. How might getting an abortion impact those?

  • How do you feel about pregnancy and giving birth versus termination?

  • Do you know about the different methods of abortion and when they are available based on your gestational age? 

  • Do you know about your state’s legal restrictions on abortion?

  • Is there anything that makes accessing abortion care feel difficult or uncertain (cost, transportation, legal restrictions, childcare, time off work, support, etc.)?

  • What additional information or support would help you feel confident in your decision?

  • Getting an abortion can bring up a lot of feelings and emotions. What support would you need emotionally before, during and after your termination? 

  • Getting an abortion can also require time for physical recovery. What support and additional information would you need to feel best prepared for post-termination?

 

​Need medical resources?

We are not medical professionals, but social workers, advocates, and adoption professionals. If you are seeking an abortion or need any other form of medical attention, please contact your medical provider or consider these resources.

Need more help in making pregnancy or adoption decisions?

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