Pregnancy
Questions and Answers
Pregnancy Support Groups

What does it cost to get help?

Whether you are considering placing a child for adoption, are simply looking for information on pregnancy related issues, or need help finding information and resources to assist you in raising your child, our services are completely and totally free.

When should I start getting care for myself and my unborn baby?  

Prenatal care can help assure that you and your baby are healthy and stay healthy. Prenatal care should be started as soon as possible. It is important to take the time to educate yourself about the prenatal tests and how they can help you and your baby. If you are pregnant and don't know where to turn to actually start prenatal care, or you don't know how you can afford it, call your local hospital or contact your state child welfare agency.

I have no insurance and no money.  Where can I get help?

We have listed many resources that can help you with free or low-cost medical help as well as food and your nutritional needs. Also listed are resources to help you with some of the financial issues and emotional issues of pregnancy.  You can also find assistance at our pregnancy support groups page.

What changes are taking place in my body and in my baby?

A pregnancy calendar will give you a detailed guide to the changes taking place in you and your baby. Each week and month of pregnancy includes a description of your baby's development as well as an explanation of the changes taking place in your body.

Can you help me understand the sick feeling I have almost every morning?

Morning sickness and nausea, are the most common complaints of pregnancy. For some women it occurs only in the morning, but it can occur at any time during the day. Some women just feel sick; others actually vomit. It is estimated that approximately 50-90% of pregnant women experience discomfort from the nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. The exact cause of morning sickness is not known, but it appears to be a combination of issues related to the chemical changes your body is going through. 

I know I have to eat "right" but I am so concerned about gaining weight and being fat.  What should I do?

Health, nutrition, and weight gain take on a new importance during pregnancy. The food you eat every day, even before you are pregnant, is important for your health.  Once you become pregnant it is even more important to eat right since you are eating for both you and your baby. If you are eating a healthy diet before you become pregnant, you may only need to make a few changes to meet the nutritional needs of pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends an average weight gain during pregnancy of 25 to 30 pounds. But the amount of weight you should gain depends on your height and your weight before you became pregnant.

Will drugs, alcohol, and smoking affect my child if I am very careful?

Any drug, legal or illegal, and any alcohol that you consume will impact on your unborn child. Even small amounts of medications, alcohol, and illegal drugs will affect your unborn child. If you swallow a drug, your body will deliver it to the baby in small amounts over time. If you inject a substance, it goes almost directly to the baby in larger amounts. Inhaling a drug has almost the same results. Many drugs that you can buy over-the-counter in drug and discount stores, and many drugs your health care provider prescribes are thought to be safe to take during pregnancy.  If you drink alcohol, it can seriously affect your baby's growth. If you have been consuming drugs or alcohol, don't panic.  Stop drinking and taking drugs immediately and make sure to let your doctor or midwife know so that she/he can help you.

Should I use a hospital or a birth center for delivery?

Selecting a hospital or birthing center is a link that will help explain the different types of hospital and birth center options you may want to consider.

I know childbirth can be very painful, can I just arrange for a C-section and avoid all the hassle and pain?

Depending on your health care provider you may be able to arrange for a C-section, but you can expect to experience pain no matter what route you go. There are no healthy ways to avoid all the pain and discomfort, and typically a reputable health care provider will not do a C-section just for convince.  Labor and delivery is hard work and parts of it are painful, but the recovery from a C-section is also painful and can lead to complications not found with a vaginal delivery. Understanding labor and delivery issues, knowing about Cesarean (C-section) birth, and about the different pain options available at child birth, can help you deal with some of the pain and anxiety of giving birth.

Will I get depressed during and after my pregnancy?

There is no way to know if you will experience depression. Certainly, if you have a history of depression, you stand a greater chance of re-experiencing it during or after your pregnancy. However, it is important to know that depression during and after pregnancy is very common and can be effectively treated.  If the depression is not treated, it can greatly affect you, the baby, and everyone else around you.

Where can I find other resources to help me with my pregnancy?

There are many resources available, you just have to take the time to check them out.  Support groups for a birth mother are available to help you with fetal development information, pregnancy testing, alternatives counseling, and to help you deal with your pregnancy. Included on this website are financial resources and help, as well as help with medical and physical aspects of pregnancy, and emotional issues of pregnancy. Included are many other resources to help you including the free government program WIC (Woman, Infants, and Children), information on infant safe haven laws, as well as nutritional issues and concerns of pregnancy, and several other government benefit programs.

If you are pregnant and don't know where to turn, you can call your state child welfare agency or your local hospital.  And you can always give me, Dr. Berger, a call at 1-800-943-0400 or you can email me at Adoption Services. I have also created additional websites, Birth Mother Resources and Birth Mother Assistance and Pregnancy and Children to help you and other women.

Can Adoption Services help me?

Yes, we have provided special help to over 9,000 birth parents and adopting families over the past 22 years. We can help you whether you are pregnant or even if the baby has already been born and is a week, month, or even years old.  We can help you with your pregnancy and with pregnancy related issues. If you are thinking of placing your child for adoption, we can help you with all the adoption choices that are available to you.  We can also help you if you are planning to raise the child yourself.   Additionally, we created PregnancyAndChildren.com and BirthMotherResources.com as well as ChildAdoptionLaws.com and BirthMotherAssistance.com to provide additional help for you.

What and who is Adoption Services, Inc.?

We are a fully licensed and full service non-profit child adoption agency that can help pregnant women and birth mothers living anywhere in the US or living in any foreign country.  We are different from most adoption agencies in that we do more than just adoption related activities, we also try to find resources, information and help for pregnant women and women who are trying to raise their child as a single parent. Click on the link Adoption Services for more information.

Adoption Services Founder & Director and Staff

Dr. Vince Berger, the Founder and Director of Adoption Services and the creator of this website, is a PhD psychologist who has been helping birth mothers, birth fathers, parents and families for almost 40 years. The adoption coordinators at Adoption Services have all been personally trained by Dr. Berger.  Click on this link to read more about Dr. Berger.

How do I contact Adoption Services?

Call us toll free at 1-800-943-0400 at any time of day or night, or click here to contact us.