Not feeling ready to parent is normal—and feeling like abortion is your only option is understandable. However, it’s essential to know that abortion comes with risks to your health, and other options, like adoption, are available. Plus, sometimes, with the right support, parenting can be a feasible—and rewarding—choice.
Continue reading to learn more about abortion, adoption, and other resources that are available to help as you navigate your pregnancy decision.
Abortion
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, uses two drugs to terminate a pregnancy.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, which thins the lining of the uterus and causes the pregnancy to detach. Misoprostol causes uterine contractions, which lead to the expulsion of the pregnancy through the vagina.
Health risks of a medical abortion include:
- Retained pregnancy tissue
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Digestive upset
- Allergic reactions to medication
While you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping, some women have reported that the pain was unexpectedly severe. Furthermore, you will pass the pregnancy at home, which can be distressing for some women.
Surgical Abortion
During a surgical abortion, the surgeon manually dilates the cervix and scrapes or suctions the contents of the pregnancy from the inside of the uterus.
Health risks of a surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall, which could lead to infertility
- Infection
Adoption
Modern-day adoption gives the birth mother the freedom to be as involved in the adoption process and the future of the life of their child as they would like.
Additionally, the adoption agency covers all pregnancy-related medical expenses, and rent and grocery assistance may be available as well.
The three most common types of modern-day adoption include:
- Open adoption: You can choose the family you want to adopt your baby and decide if you want to keep in contact with them. You can also choose how involved you want to be in the baby’s life.
- Semi-open adoption: You can still have contact with the family and baby, but a professional adoption agency will help manage communication and keep your identifying information confidential.
- Closed adoption: You won’t have contact with the baby, and the identities of all parties are kept confidential. The court keeps adoption records sealed. This is rare today, but it may be the best option if you need to remain anonymous due to safety concerns.
Temporary Assistance
If you want to parent but aren’t ready because of your unique circumstances, you may qualify for temporary assistance through Safe Families. Safe Families utilizes volunteer families to provide a home for your child while you prepare to bring them home.
Parenting Education
When we don’t know much about something, it can feel scary and overwhelming. But the more we know, the more we feel prepared. This is especially true of parenting—and it’s why we offer free educational workshops to help you learn all you can about parenting.
The more you know, the more you will feel ready to parent. If you have a heart to parent, even a little, you owe it to yourself to fully explore this option—and these workshops can help.
Get Help Today
Making a pregnancy decision can feel overwhelming—but you have options, and we’re here to help.
We offer free lab-quality pregnancy tests and ultrasound scans, and our trusted staff can answer your questions and discuss your options.
We are also happy to connect you with an adoption agency if you want to learn more about the adoption process.
Contact us today for your confidential appointment.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.