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Abortion Alternatives

Dealing with an Unplanned Pregnancy: Your Options and Next Steps

If you are having an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy, you can face a wave of strong emotions—confusion, fear, anxiety, and doubt. Please know that you are not alone and help is available.

Believe it or not, about half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Every day, women find themselves exactly where you are now, asking the same difficult questions.

If you need immediate, confidential support or want to learn how we can help you navigate this time, we are here for you:

Since 1985, our 5-star Google-rated, not-for-profit agency has helped over 6,000 pregnant women, birth parents, and families safely navigate their options with dignity, privacy, and zero judgment.

Understanding Your Choices: Abortion vs. Abortion Alternatives

When facing an unwanted pregnancy, you must make one of the most important decisions of your life. It is a choice that requires great love, responsibility, and commitment.

Important Note: There is no single "right" or "wrong" choice for an unplanned pregnancy. The right choice is the one that is best for you, your future, and your child.

As a Ph.D. Psychologist who has worked with thousands of birth mothers over the past 40+ years, I have learned that many women feel overwhelmed by the pressure and are unaware of the supportive, legal alternatives available to them.

While the ultimate decision rests entirely on you, understanding the pros, cons, and realities of each path can very helpful.

The Realities of Abortion

For some, abortion feels like the fastest way to resolve an unexpected pregnancy, but it is not an easy road. An abortion affects every woman differently, bringing both physical and emotional considerations:

  • Logistical Challenges: The financial costs, finding a trusted provider, and navigating state laws and gestational time limits.
  • Emotional Impact: As a Doctor of Psychology, I have seen that the emotional and psychological side effects of abortion are often more lasting than the physical ones. Short-term or long-term feelings of grief, guilt, isolation, anxiety, and depression are very common.

If you are researching alternatives to abortion, it shows you are looking for a different path. Let's look at the options available to you.

Confirming Your Pregnancy & Taking Care of Yourself

Before making any final decisions, your very first step is to confirm the pregnancy.

  1. Take an at-home pregnancy test.
  2. Have the result confirmed by a healthcare professional or a local crisis pregnancy center.
  3. For free tools and resource guides on self-care, you can visit PregnancyandChildren.com.

If you are pregnant, the most important thing you can do right now is take care of your body and your baby. Begin prenatal care as soon as possible, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and strictly avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking.

What Are the Main Alternatives to Abortion?

If you choose to carry your pregnancy until birth, you generally have five paths forward. Each comes with its own set of emotional, financial, and legal structures:

1. Single Parenting

Raising your baby as a single mother or father is common today, and there are numerous community and financial resources available to help you. However, parenting alone requires emotional, physical, and financial preparation.

2. Co-Parenting with the Biological Father

If you and the baby’s father are in a stable, positive relationship, sharing the responsibilities of parenthood can be a wonderful option.

3. Placing the Child with a Family Member or Friend

Placing the child with a family member can be temporary or permanent, and different parenting styles or beliefs between you and your relative can sometimes cause problems. In these situations, it is important to consult an attorney to protect everyone's legal rights.

4. Entering the State Foster Care System

Your state foster care system works hard to protect children, but many are heavily overloaded, underfunded, and have a "bad" reputation. But they may be able to help you. Contact your local state department of children and family services to understand how they can help you and your child.

5. Creating a Voluntary Adoption Plan

If a woman wants a secure, loving, and stable future for their child that they cannot currently provide themselves, choosing adoption through a licensed, non-profit agency is a choice. The child can be placed with a loving family who is able to provide all that the birth mother wants for her child.

How Private, Non-Profit Adoption Works

Choosing adoption means permanently transferring your parental rights to a family you select. To ensure you are legally protected, you must work with a licensed private attorney or a licensed adoption agency.

I am openly biased toward working with a fully licensed, not-for-profit adoption agency like ours (AdoptionServices.org).

Over 40+ years ago, I decided to found Adoption Services, Inc as my life's calling. My staff and I are dedicated to listening to you, answering your questions, and supporting you through the emotional journey before, during, and after placement.

Our Promise to You: In the 40+ years and over 900 adoptions we have completed, we have a flawless safety record. Every single child has been placed into a safe, and deeply loving home.

You Are in Total Control of the Adoption Plan

Modern adoption is completely built around the choices of the birth mother and birth father. When you build a plan with us, you get to decide:

Financial & Medical Support: The law allows us to ensure that your medical bills, legal fees, and allowable living expenses are completely covered during your pregnancy.

Open vs. Closed Adoption: Choose whether you want an open adoption (staying in contact via photos, updates, or visits) or a completely private, closed adoption.

Choosing the Family: You can personally review, screen, and meet the adopting family to ensure they match your values and environment.

Get Free, Confidential Help Today

There is never any cost or financial obligation to you for our services. We can help you no matter what state you live in, whether you are early in your pregnancy or have already delivered your baby at the hospital.

You deserve to make this choice with dignity, accurate information, and unconditional support.