3 Choices for Women Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy in Oklahoma [A Guide]

You can choose between abortion, parenting, and adoption if you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy in Oklahoma.

Knowing you have choices is crucial if you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy in Oklahoma.

This guide will detail the three choices women facing an unplanned pregnancy in Oklahoma have.

1. Adoption
2. Parenting
3. Abortion

If you’ve already considered your unplanned pregnancy options and are ready to start the adoption process, you can reach out to an adoption specialist for free today.

If you’re still uncertain about what choice is right for you, continue reading to find out more about what to do with an unplanned pregnancy in Oklahoma.

Choosing Adoption in Oklahoma

If you choose to keep your unplanned pregnancy and decide that parenting is not right for you, you may start to research adoption.

Adoption is a great option for women facing an unplanned pregnancy in Oklahoma. When you choose adoption, you get to set your adoption’s guidelines, pick your baby’s adoptive family, and continue to build your relationship with your baby and the baby’s adoptive family.

The following are the positive aspects of Oklahoma adoption that many prospective birth mothers don’t know about.

Adoption is Always Free for the Prospective Birth Mother

You don’t have to pay a single dollar to place your baby for adoption in Oklahoma. Every aspect of your adoption is free. When you choose adoption in Oklahoma, you’re making a selfless decision! You’re choosing your baby’s needs over your own. Adoption expenses include:

• All medical expenses related to your unplanned pregnancy, birth, and immediate post-pregnancy needs
• All adoption law expenses

It’s also important to note that giving your baby up for adoption is a gift to a hopeful adoptive family. For this reason, you also can get many of your living expenses covered during the adoption process. Some common eligible living expenses include:

• Rent
• Food
• Phone bills
• Clothing
• Transportation
• And more

You Can Choose the Type of Adoption That Fits Your Life Plan

When you choose adoption in Oklahoma, you can pick the type you want.

There are three types of pregnancy adoption options you can choose from in the state.

Open Adoption in Oklahoma

When you choose an open adoption in Oklahoma, you get to stay in contact with your child and your child’s adoptive family. You control how “open” your open adoption is, and everyone involved in the adoption has each other’s personal information.

Common types of communication include:

• Phone calls
• Texts and chats
• Video calls
• In-person meetings
• Photo exchange

Semi-Open Adoption in Oklahoma

A semi-open adoption is similar to open adoption. The main difference is that you, your child, and the adoptive family do not have each other’s personal information. All contact is arranged and mediated by an adoption professional.

Closed Adoption in Oklahoma

When you choose a closed adoption, you are not in contact with the adoptive family or your child. You and your child can try to locate and contact each other after your child’s 18^th birthday.

Closed adoption used to be the most common adoption choice for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. But, as you now know, prospective birth parents have more choices now.

You Can Pick Your Adoptive Family

Every prospective birth mother gets to choose the adoptive family who will adopt their child in Oklahoma. When you start to consider prospective adoptive families, consider all the qualities you’d like your child to grow up around and the experiences you’d like them to have.

An Adoption Specialist Supports You During and After the Adoption Process

No prospective adoptive mother has to go through adoption on their own. When you choose adoption and reach out to an adoption agency, you will get to work with an adoption specialist who can guide you through the adoption process and help you after the adoption is complete.

Choosing to Parent a Child in Oklahoma

Many women facing an unplanned pregnancy in Oklahoma choose to parent their children. You may want to consider all the aspects of parenthood before deciding that parenting is the right choice for you.

Am I Emotionally Ready to Become a Parent?

It’s important to ask yourself if you’re emotionally and mentally ready to raise a child. A trained and licensed therapist can help you determine if you are ready to become a parent.

Am I Financially Ready to Become a Parent?

It’s no surprise that giving birth and raising a child in the United States is expensive. According to The American Journal of Managed Care’s website, the price to give birth in the U.S. varies from state to state, and if the pregnant person has insurance. For example, a 2016-2017 study performed by the Health Care Cost Institute found that, “In Arkansas, inpatient birth charges come out to roughly $8300, but that total rises to nearly $20,000 in New York.”

And according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cost of raising a child in 2015 in the U.S. ranges from $193,020 in rural areas to $264,090 in the eastern U.S.

If you choose to parent your child, Oklahoma financial assistance programs can help you better afford parenthood. 

Do I Want to Become a Parent?

Parenthood is not for everyone! Many people do not want to become parents, and that’s okay. Ask yourself if becoming a parent is part of your life plan.

Do I Want to Add to My Family?

Some women facing an unplanned pregnancy already have children. It’s normal and encouraged to ask yourself if you’re ready – or if you want to – add another child to your family.

Choosing Abortion in Oklahoma

Abortion is one of the early pregnancy options women have in Oklahoma. If you consider having an abortion, it’s essential to contact an abortion provider early in your unplanned and unwanted pregnancy.

The following are a few of the abortion restrictions Oklahoma women seeking an abortion in the state face:

• You must get state-directed counseling before getting an abortion in Oklahoma.  After counseling, you must wait 72 hours before getting the procedure.
• Check if your insurance will cover abortion. Private health insurance policies, public employee policies, and health plans covered under the Affordable Care Act only cover the procedure under certain circumstances.
• You cannot use telemedicine to access medication abortion.
• If you’re a minor, your parent must be notified before the abortion and give their consent.
• You have to have an ultrasound before your abortion.
• The only way you can get an abortion after 20 or more weeks post fertilization is if the pregnancy endangers your life.

It’s also important to note that if Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion will likely become illegal in the state. It’s important to talk to your medical provider if you have any questions or concerns about getting an abortion in Oklahoma.

Unplanned Pregnancy Takeaways

If you’re still undecided about the unplanned pregnancy help in Oklahoma that’s right for your situation, that’s okay. Take some time to consider these unplanned pregnancy resources and what’s right for your life plan.