Many women facing an unplanned pregnancy feel stuck and are unsure of what to do next. They wonder, “Am I ready to parent or should I be considering adoption?”

Every woman’s situation is different, and only you know what is best for your own particular situation.

If you are pregnant and considering adoption, answering the following questions can give you an indication of which is the right decision for you and your baby.

1. Can I financially provide for my child?

Financial instability is often one of the main reasons why pregnant women say they are considering adoption.

Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Medicaid can help relieve some of the financial strain for food and healthcare for mothers in need, but will this financial support be enough?

Will you be able to provide the other things you want your child to have? Will you be able to help pay for your child’s college education one day?

Finances are something all pregnant women must consider, but fortunately they are an obstacle that can be overcome if you do choose to parent.

2. Will my child have a father figure in his life?

The benefits of being raised in a two-parent home are obvious. Not only is having a father important to a child’s emotional development, but it also provides a secondary income and a partner in raising a child.

Being a single mother can be a real challenge, especially with no help from family members or friends. However, with enough love and effort, it can be done, and has been done.

Therefore, the presence of a father figure should be a factor in your decision, but it probably shouldn’t be the definitive reason for considering adoption. Determining the answer can, however, help make your decision a little clearer.

3. Will I have time to properly care for a child?

This question directly relates to your age, finances, family and friend support, and the likelihood of the father remaining in the picture.

You may have goals of finishing high school and attending college, but raising a baby could put those dreams on hold. Furthermore, will you have time to hold a job and support the baby? Do you need a second job? Will the father be around to help take care of the baby? Will your parents help babysit, or will you need to find daycare? Will you be able to afford the cost of daycare?

These factors can compound quickly. At the end of the day, will you have time to be there as the attachment figure your baby so desperately needs during the most influential time in his or her life? These are very important questions that must be considered.

4. Am I ready to be a parent?

This is the most important question of all. If you are not ready to be a mother, you risk negatively affecting your child’s life.

As previously stated, if you have aspirations to attend college, pursue a career or simply just want to maintain your current lifestyle, you may find that you aren’t ready to raise a child, when another family out there is ready to adopt and give a child the greatest life imaginable.

However, if you are ready and committed to motherhood, you can overcome any of these challenges, whether it is financial instability, no present father figure in your child's life or any other obstacle in your way.

If you feel that you are ready and committed to be a mother, that may be the only answer you need.

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If you are pregnant and considering adoption, please call 1-800-ADOTION to answer any additional questions you may have or click the following for free adoption information.