Dealing with an unexpected pregnancy can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Feeling confused about where to get help or who to ask for advice is normal.
The most important thing you can do when facing an unplanned pregnancy is to gather all the facts you need to make the best choice for your health and future. Both adoption and abortion are not easy decisions.
Abortion
Abortion ends a pregnancy, and there are two types of abortion: medical and surgical.
A medical abortion uses two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. It’s important to know that medical abortion is only FDA-approved in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
A surgical abortion involves a medical procedure called Dilation and Curettage (D&C) performed by a physician. During a D&C procedure, the doctor will dilate the cervix and use special tools, including a suction device, to remove the pregnancy and any associated tissue from the uterus.
Before you decide to have a medical or surgical abortion, it’s important to know about any possible risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, these risks can include:
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Fever
- Infection
- Infertility
- Cervical damage
- Uterine perforation
Adoption
Adoption has dramatically changed in recent years to help and support women facing unplanned pregnancies. Knowing how adoption has changed and what choices you have can help you make the best decision for you and your future.
The main types of modern adoption are:
- Open adoption: You can choose the family you want to adopt your baby and keep in contact with them. You can decide how involved you want to be in the baby’s life together.
- Semi-open adoption: You can still have contact with the baby, but a professional adoption agency will help manage communication between you, the baby, and the adoptive family, keeping your identifying information confidential.
- Closed adoption: You won’t have contact with the baby, and all parties’ identities are kept confidential. The court keeps adoption records sealed.
We’re Here to Help
It’s completely normal to have questions about your pregnancy options, including the risks to your mental health, like depression. Remember, no one can legally make you choose one option over the other; the decision is yours. We can help inform you more about your pregnancy options. Contact us today to discuss more and learn about our no-cost, confidential services.