“Help — I just found out I’m pregnant!”

If this situation sounds familiar, the good news is that there is plenty of advice and options available to you. Facing an unplanned pregnancy is a pretty common experience, even though it might feel like you’re the only one lost in this large sea of information.

Cropped shot of an attractive young woman using a cellphone at homeAs you consider your pregnancy options, it’s important to look for unbiased information from professionals who genuinely want to help you make the best decision. You should be the one making all of the decisions, and you don’t want to end up working with a professional who tries to sway your opinion. Whether you choose adoption, abortion or parenting, this is a life-changing decision, and you will need plenty of support along the way — in addition to education about each process so that you can make the best decision for your baby.

Understanding Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options

One of the most important tips that we can give you is to educate yourself about all the facts when it comes to your options for an unplanned pregnancy. You are the one calling all the shots, so you deserve the best support and most accurate information that you can find. To get started, here are the three available options if you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy:

  • Abortion – In an abortion, a woman will take medication or have a surgical procedure that ends her pregnancy.
  • Adoption – In an adoption, you will permanently place your child with the family of your choosing. You get to make every decision in the adoption, and an adoption specialist will work with you to provide all the information that you need.
  • Parenting – You also have the option to raise your child after you’ve given birth to them. This option is pretty straightforward, but raising a child is a big commitment that requires patience and dedication.

Being educated about all of your options is the first step to making an informed decision. You might not know right away which option is right for you, and it’s normal to experience doubts about your decision throughout the process. Aside from abortion — which is a time-sensitive and permanent decision — you can change your mind about your unplanned pregnancy options at any time.

If You Are Considering Abortion…

One of the best centers to receive unbiased information from is Planned Parenthood, especially for women considering abortion. If you’re considering an abortion, you might be worried about how safe it is, whether you’ll experience any feelings of grief and loss, whether you’ll need parental consent to get an abortion, and more. Planned Parenthood also offers pregnancy testing and adoption referrals. Planned Parenthood offers non-judgmental information and services for all of their clients, and is a safe and reliable way to get the information you need. If you’re unable to travel to their location or you’re nervous about speaking to a representative on the phone, you’re more than welcome to chat online or text them to get all the answers you need for your unplanned pregnancy situation.

If You Are Considering Adoption…

Even though American Adoptions primarily handles infant adoptions, we’re still more than able to provide information on all of your unplanned pregnancy options. Calling our 24/7 adoption hotline never commits you to choosing an adoption plan. The hotline is completely free, and all the information that you share is completely confidential. Our 24/7 hotline is available for women who are:

  • Considering adoption as their unplanned pregnancy option
  • Looking for unbiased information they can trust from an adoption counselor
  • Ready to learn about each step of the adoption process
  • Struggling with the emotions of an unexpected pregnancy

You can, of course, call a 24/7 hotline at anytime, anywhere, and for any reason. If you have a busy schedule and a lot on your mind, a 24/7 hotline can give you information whenever it’s convenient for you. An adoption counselor can personally walk you through each of your unplanned pregnancy options to help you make the best decision for you and your baby. A good adoption specialist will never try to pressure you into one decision over the other. They should genuinely want to help you make the best decision for your unique situation.

Informational Websites

Talking to someone about your unplanned pregnancy out loud can make it seem more real. If you’re still researching your options and are not quite ready to speak to a professional, there are also plenty of great websites that offer all of the initial information you need to take the next steps toward an unintended pregnancy decision. Keep an eye out for fake pregnancy centers or websites that are trying to pressure you into a decision that you’re not ready for. Below are a few suggestions for websites that we trust: