Exploring Pregnancy Options
When faced with an unintended pregnancy, it can be difficult to determine what path feels right to you. The questions below may help you begin to clarify your thoughts and feelings about your pregnancy options.
Parenting:
- How will parenting change your current lifestyle and the goals or plans you had for yourself?
- What challenges do you expect? (e.g. financial needs, emotional needs, and personal goals…)
- How might you meet the challenges listed above?
- After talking to your friends and family, list the types of support they can realistically provide (e.g. childcare, housing – longterm or temporary, baby items, emotional support).
- Explore and list community resources available to help people meet parenting needs?
- What does the father think and feel about parenting?
- Parenting is a very personal decision. There are no right or wrong answers. Create your own individual list of the pros and cons of parenting.
Adoption:
- What are the pros and cons to choosing adoption?
- What challenges are there to planning an adoption (think about the emotional challenges like grief and loss, or are their people in your life who have negative views of adoption…)?
- What does the father think and feel about adoption?
- What do other important people think and feel about the choice of adoption?
- What losses will be part of choosing adoption?
Abortion:
- Prior to this pregnancy, what were your thoughts and feelings about abortion?
- In considering your pregnancy and circumstances, have your thoughts and feelings about abortion changed?
- Who can you talk to openly and without pressure as you explore terminating this pregnancy.
- If you choose to have an abortion, it’s important to have support. Is there someone who will accompany you to the appointment and be available to listen and offer emotional support afterward?
- To determine how far along you are and whether abortion is still possible, contact a local abortion clinic or health center. Go to www.plannedparenthood.org or www.abortionconversation.com to find a local resource.