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8 Months Pregnant and Don't Want the Baby [What Can I Do?]

What do you do when you’re eight months pregnant and don’t want the baby? Adoption could be the answer for you. You can get free information and help with the process now by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.

By choosing adoption: 

  • You can give your baby a safe home with a loving and prepared adoptive family 

  • You can get free emotional support during and after the process

  • You can take control of your situation and create a better future for yourself and your child

The due date is rapidly approaching, and you most likely have mixed feelings about it because you’re not sure if parenting is the right move for you.

You may feel excited, scared, anxious, hopeful and confused. An unplanned pregnancy can throw your whole life out of whack. You’re almost to the end of the pregnancy, which sounds good. But then there’s parenthood on the other side, and that may not sound so good.

There are different choices you can make when you are 32 or 33 weeks pregnant and do not want it, and learning everything about them should be your first step.

To get more support during your eighth month of pregnancy, get connected with an adoption professional today.

What to Do When You’re 32–35 Weeks Pregnant

Before jumping into your unplanned pregnancy options, let’s focus on you. Have you been taking the necessary steps to ensure your health and the health of the baby? From 32–35 weeks pregnant, there are several important items to be aware of.

  • 32 Weeks Pregnant: It may still feel like birth is a ways off, but your body is beginning to prepare for the occasion. The baby will position itself head-down, and you may even begin to feel some early contractions, called “Braxton Hicks contractions.”

  • 33 Weeks Pregnant: Have you scheduled your next prenatal visit? If not, now is the right time to do so. It’s important to stay on top of the baby’s health and development in these late stages of pregnancy. Even when you are 33 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, following through with these doctor visits is important for your own health and safety.

  • 34 Weeks Pregnant: Want to know something crazy? At 34 weeks pregnant, the baby can hear you pretty clearly, and will even begin to recognize your voice. The baby’s development is almost complete. Make sure to schedule your next prenatal visit, as they should be happening about every other week from now until birth.

  • 35 Weeks Pregnant: It is likely you still have over a month until birth. However, premature births do happen. Now is a good time to look over the signs of labor and make sure your hospital plan is ready to go.

Around 33 Weeks Pregnant but Don’t Want Baby: Unplanned Pregnancy Options

Moving on to a question that can be much more difficult than the medical aspects of pregnancy: What do you do if you’re eight months pregnant and don’t want the baby? There are plenty of factors to consider.

When it comes down to it, only you can know which choice is best for you. The specifics on your unplanned pregnancy options will be determined by your unique circumstances. Generally speaking, you have two (or possibly, but unlikely, three) options when you are around 32 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby.

  • Parenting: Even if you feel like you are eight months pregnant and don’t want the baby, don’t skip this option without serious thought. Parenting may seem impossible, but there are resources that can help. It’s important to be 100 percent sure before you decide that parenting won’t work for you.

  • Adoption: Raising a child isn’t feasible for many expectant mothers, and adoption can be a beautiful unplanned pregnancy option in these cases. Adoption gives your baby the chance to know a loving family, and it gives you the opportunity to move forward with your life.

  • Abortion: When you are almost eight months pregnant and don’t want the baby, abortion probably isn’t an option for you. No state allows abortions this late in the pregnancy except in extreme scenarios, like if the pregnancy creates a life-threatening situation for your health. If you feel that this is the case, talk to a medical professional immediately.

Is it Possible to Give a Child Up for Adoption After Eight Months of Pregnancy?

Yes, you can always choose adoption if you are eight months pregnant and don’t want the baby. Expectant mothers choose adoption at all different points of pregnancy, and American Adoptions would be happy to help you have the best experience with adoption possible.

When you choose adoption at this stage of pregnancy, you can still have the same experience as other birth mothers.

With the help of an adoption specialist, you will:

  • Create an adoption plan. You will always be in charge of your adoption plan. During a time where you feel like you may not have much control, American Adoptions will always empower you to make your own decisions when it comes to your adoption plan.

  • Work out a hospital plan. As a part of your adoption plan, you will be able to call the shots when it comes to your hospital plan, and you will have all the results you need. Your adoption specialist will facilitate all of your choices for you so that you can just focus on preparing for the big day.

  • Choose an adoptive family. You will be able to choose the perfect family to raise your baby so that you never have to wonder about the family your child is growing up in.

  • Establish a communication plan for open adoption post-placement. Open adoption is a beautiful way for you to stay in touch with your child and their adoptive family. You will be able to watch them grow and thrive and they will never have to wonder about their adoption story.

Even with the due date fast approaching, you can still find adoptive parents if you’re 33 weeks pregnant. And just like any other adoption process, you will have the chance to get to know the family through open adoption. This relationship can last past the placement, too. This is one of the many benefits of choosing adoption.

Start Your Adoption Today

It’s important to be completely sure before you make any decision.

  • If you think adoption is right for you, it’s important to start the process as soon as possible.

  • This will give you more time to make decisions about your adoption plan and will allow our adoption specialists to give you more help during the final weeks of your pregnancy.

  • Even if you're not 100% sure you want to choose adoption, you can reach out to us to get free, unbiased information and support at any time, 24/7. You are not making any commitments; just getting free adoption information.

To start your adoption process today, or to ask more questions about being eight months pregnant and not wanting the baby, call 1-800-ADOPTION now to get the answers you need. 

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. America Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

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Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

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The Best for Her Babies - Why One Birth Mother Doesn't Regret Her Decision

Lindsey was already the mother to one baby with special needs when she found herself pregnant again. A single mom in the midst of a divorce, she knew adoption was the way to give both her daughters what they deserved.

Read the Story