Planning For An Unplanned Pregnancy

You’ve just received the news you are pregnant. For some who have planned this and are ready this is great news; they’ve been waiting to celebrate this moment. For others it’s unplanned, and the timing is wrong. This could be due to age, circumstances of the relationship with the father, or a host of other reasons. But, whatever the reason, this unplanned pregnancy is a dilemma you are facing.

When you find yourself in this dilemma of an unplanned pregnancy thousands of thoughts are swirling around in your head. You have your life, the baby’s life, and perhaps the father of the baby’s life to consider. If you are young, perhaps you have your parents to consider, if they will help you out. If you are older, perhaps you have your older children to consider. Do you want to start over?

The thoughts swirling around in your head begin spinning faster and faster until you find you need clarity, you need to speak with someone. Maybe you are thinking you are the only one in this situation. You are NOT! There are many women who find themselves faced with an unplanned pregnancy. It’s time to stop those thoughts from swirling and think about each portion of your situation separately; this will help bring clarity to the plethora of feelings you are experiencing.

First, consider whether you want to choose adoption, abortion, or parenting. This is a combination of a moral choice, a life choice that will affect many people involved, a financial choice, and a host of other areas of your life.

Next, consider how adoption will affect the baby that’s on it’s way. Can you envision the baby having a better life through adoption? Can you picture the baby being placed in a home that is more prepared than yours is right now? Situations are different, timing is important, and doing what’s best for baby is showing love for that baby. Placing the baby for adoption can be the greatest act of love you can show for him/her.

Take into consideration how the decision to place your baby up for adoption will affect your family. Whether you decide on adoption, abortion, or parenting, your family members will have opinions and could be affected to some degree by your decision. However, the most important factor to consider when faced with an unplanned pregnancy is what’s best for baby.

The final piece to consider is how your decision will affect your future. Each decision will have an emotional and financial cost, in addition to other factors that will need to be handled through counseling and other helpful resolutions. Take time to analyze what stage of life you are in and where you are headed with your future: relationally, financially, and with your career. If you aren’t ready to alter those three areas of your life, you will have to consent that you are not ready to parent.

Considering each of these pieces separately is less overwhelming than handling the swirling emotions that are jumbled in your head when you consider them as one big decision. If after considering these four areas, you feel placing your baby for adoption may be the right choice, call us.