The due date is rapidly approaching, and you most likely have mixed feelings about it. 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.

What do you do when you’re eight months pregnant and don’t want the baby?

This is a question that many women ask. You’re not alone, and it’s good that you are being honest by asking the question in the first place. Parenting isn’t possible for everyone, and you should know about your unplanned pregnancy options. There are different choices you can make when you are 32 or 33 weeks pregnant and do not want it, and learning everything you can about them should be your first step.

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, it isn’t too late to 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 the adoption specialists at 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

• Work out a hospital plan

• Decide which type of family you would like to adopt your baby

• Choose an adoptive family

• Get to know the family

• Establish a communication plan for open adoption post-placement

• And more

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.

To start you adoption process today, or to ask more questions about being eight months pregnant and not wanting the baby, you can call 1-800-ADOPTION at any time. 

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.