Whether you’ve missed your period or watched that little line appear on the pregnancy test, you’re at a crossroads. Right now, you’re trying to decide what to do. You’re pregnant and your mind is racing with questions of, “what now?”.
Maybe you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or even a little scared. These emotions are completely normal. Abortion might seem like the easiest solution. No one will know that you are pregnant and you can move on with your life. But it’s not quite that simple, and it’s important to know your options.
Three Pregnancy Options
Abortion
Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy through a medical or surgical method.
There are possible complications and risks involved in any abortion. Medical abortions, or the abortion pill, involves taking a pill at the abortion clinic (mifepristone) and another at home (misoprostol). An ultrasound is required to determine the gestation (how far along you are), as these can only be performed up to 10 weeks.
Severe cramping and bleeding (up to 45 days) can occur with the abortion pill, and it’s important to have a follow-up appointment to verify the abortion is complete. Pregnancy resource centers offer free ultrasounds that determine whether the pregnancy is viable – growing in the uterus (not ectopic), whether a heartbeat is present, and accurately measure how many weeks the pregnancy has progressed.
Surgical abortions, such as suction aspiration or dilation and evacuation, can be performed past 10 weeks. These procedures have higher risks and an increased chance of complications.
Pregnancy resource centers offer education about abortion procedures and information about the laws in your state and your rights in an abortion.
Adoption
Adoption is the process of legally transferring parental rights to another.
There are several different types of adoption, but the important thing to know is that you as the “birth parent” are in control of the adoption process.
Types of Adoption
From choosing whether to work with an adoption agency or with a lawyer in a private adoption, birth parents choose the adoption plan that works best for them. In a closed, or confidential adoption, there is no contact between the birth and adoptive parents; all communication is done through a third party.
Open adoptions vary in the amount of contact before, during, and after the adoption process and will look different for every individual. Again, this process largely depends on you, the birth parent, and the amount of contact you desire to have with your biological child. Adoption can be a challenging process, but the sacrificial love of a mother who finds herself unable to parent and chooses to place her child in the caring arms of a family is a beautiful gift.
Parenting
Parenting is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood.
Whether you’re thinking about parenting as a single mother or with a partner, parents need encouragement and support to raise their child. Pregnancy resource centers can connect you with mentors, childbirth and parenting classes, and other resources that can support you in the parenting process.
If you’re in the Enid, OK area we provide a free support group for mothers.
No matter what you choose, your life is forever changed. It’s important to be informed and take time to think through your options.