“What am I Going to Do?”
Discovering you’re pregnant when you’re not ready can be a crisis. And crisis by definition is traumatic, scary, and confusing. Most people respond to crises by trying to find the quickest way back to normal. With an unintended pregnancy, whatever you decide will be life changing. So, what do you do? Take some time. With time, your initial feelings of trauma lessen, and you are once again able to consider your pregnancy options and what it is that you really want.
The Challenge
The hardest thing about making a decision is anticipating how you will feel about that decision in the future. When you’re in a crisis, you usually can’t think far beyond the immediate situation. Often, all you want is for the problem to go away. Decisions that people most often regret are those made too quickly in a crisis. These kinds of decisions are more reactions than decisions.
We encourage you to stop, take a deep breath, and consider your pregnancy options.
Often, people will feel rushed to make a decision that they haven’t taken time to explore. You owe it to yourself to get all the information you need to make an informed decision. No one else can make this decision for you, but it does help to talk to people who may have some answers.
Your situation is like no other.
Your circumstances are unique and cannot be decided with some general facts on a website. Contact Birthright to talk with an experienced volunteer who will assist you in exploring a plan that is right for you. You can freely ask questions about your pregnancy options and work through your thoughts without fear of judgment or condemnation.
Your Options
Becoming a parent is often described as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of life. It is a miracle to watch this little life grow inside you and develop into a person with unique personality, interests and talents. Becoming a parent is an ongoing process of learning and adjusting. Every parent stumbles from time to time, but if you love your child and are trying your best, you are headed in the right direction.
If you need us, Birthright will walk with you throughout this journey. We can offer you the support you need and some direction regarding what is available in the local community. At Birthright, we don’t let go until you want us to.
Abortion may seem like the simplest way out of an unintended pregnancy, but there are no easy answers. Maybe you don’t want to have an abortion but feel it is your only choice. Many consider abortion because they fear they won’t have the support or resources they need to have their baby. There may be people pressuring you to have an unwanted abortion. You may feel you have no choice – but you do. Birthright can explore the reasons you’re considering abortion with you and possibly offer alternative pregnancy options.
Find out more about pregnancy resources on our Young and Pregnant page
Many women have said that adoption is the hardest thing they have ever done, but they don’t regret it. They know they have provided a bright future for their child, one that includes a mom and a dad who cherish them and will provide a good home. Don’t automatically write off adoption as an option. Many women say, “I could never give my baby away,” but what adoption does is provide a family for your baby. There are many types of adoption arrangements, and you as the birth mother have a say in choosing the adoptive family and the level of contact you will have with them.
While Birthright is not an adoption agency, we can offer some guidance and insight into adoption. The birth mother, in turn, may find herself strengthened to face her own future with courage and hope. Most adoption agencies provide free counselling for the birth mother or couple exploring adoption as a solution. Adoption counselors have a unique understanding of the issues you may encounter both in placing your baby for adoption and in making the decision to parent. Adoption has changed a great deal in the last 20 years. It’s possible that your image of adoption is very different from the present reality.
At Birthright, we want to help you explore those pregnancy options which speak to you. Our helpline is available 24/7. You can call us at:
Our trained and experienced volunteers are here to provide confidential assistance with any issue or concern you may have. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
