Your Kansas Unplanned Pregnancy Options

An unplanned pregnancy can change your life in an instant. Whether you’re facing this situation alone or if you have the support of a caring partner, it’s normal to feel scared, anxious and overwhelmed.

If you’re reading this article, then it’s likely that you’re still processing the news. But no matter how long it’s been since you’ve found out about your pregnancy, we’re here to help. Find unplanned pregnancy resources and answers to your time-sensitive questions below.

What to Do When You Have an Unplanned Pregnancy in Kansas

To start off, let’s talk about what your unplanned pregnancy options are in Kansas.

If you’re facing an unintended pregnancy in Kansas, there are three options ahead of you.

• Parenting
• Abortion
• Adoption

When you’re looking at this list, you may not know right away which one is right for you. Each of these options come with its advantages and disadvantages. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer when facing an unplanned pregnancy. This decision is always entirely up to you.

To make your choice a little easier, here’s a breakdown of each option:

Option 1: Choosing Parenting in Kansas

When a woman finds out that she’s facing an unplanned pregnancy in Kansas, one of the first questions she might ask herself is, “Am I ready to be a parent?”

There are many factors to consider if you’re thinking about this unplanned pregnancy option. Becoming a parent is one of the toughest jobs there is, and only you can decide if you’re ready for the challenge.

Some things that you’ll want to think about beforehand are:

• Your current financial situation
• Your support system of family and friends
• Your current living situation
• Your emotional and mental maturity
• Your relationship to the prospective birth father
• Your future goals
• And more

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and they’re not wrong. Thankfully, there are many available parenting and resources for an unplanned pregnancy in Kansas.

If you’re looking for information on food assistance, child care assistance, cash assistance and more, check out the Kansas Department for Children and Families. If you’re looking for help with groceries and other basic essentials, your local WIC (Women, Infants and Children) can help you get started. There are also other unplanned pregnancy services and resources that may be able to help in your situation.

If you’re still not sure if parenting is right for you, talk to people for unplanned pregnancy help in KS. Speak with friends and family members that you trust, your doctor or an unplanned pregnancy counselor for more information and resources.

Option 2: Choosing Adoption in Kansas

Maybe the other options for pregnancy don’t sound right for you, and you’re leaning toward adoption. For many women, adoption is the best out of the three unwanted pregnancy options. And it could be right for you.

Adoption is a loving and selfless decision. When you choose this path, you are in charge of every decision, from picking the perfect family to deciding how much post-placement contact you're comfortable with. Modern adoptions are also open in nature, which means that she can watch her child grow up and thrive.

Parting from your baby, even if it’s in their best interests, isn’t an easy decision. You may experience feelings of grief, loss, anger, regret and more. If you’re thinking about this unplanned pregnancy option, you should be prepared for these challenges.

But, even though adoption is rarely easy, it could be the best thing — for yourself and for your baby.

If you’re considering adoption early on in your pregnancy or after birth, just know that it’s never too late to receive the help and information you need. Adoption agencies across the country offer unplanned pregnancy hotlines, so don’t hesitate to give any one of them a call.

Here are a few adoption agencies you can contact today:

• American Adoptions
• American Adoptions of Kansas
• Adoption & Beyond

Option 3: Choosing Abortion in Kansas

Of all the unplanned pregnancy options you have, abortion is the most time-sensitive. Because it’s only an early pregnancy option, your first step should be to speak to your doctor. They’ll be able to assess your situation and outline any health concerns before you choose this procedure.

Most states have restrictions on when a woman can receive an abortion. In Kansas, a woman is able to receive an abortion by medication up until 11 weeks of pregnancy. Patients can receive an in-clinic abortion at up to 20 weeks, depending on the situation.

In addition to this, Kansas also has specific restrictions on abortion:

• A woman must receive state-directed counseling and then wait 24 hours before the procedure is provided.
• Her insurance will likely only cover the abortion in the case of life endangerment, but she may be able to purchase an optional rider at an additional cost, depending on her policy.
• If she is a minor, she must obtainparental consent before an abortion will be provided.
• Public funding is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
• A woman must undergo an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion, and the provider must offer her the option to view the image.
• An abortion may only be performed after 20 weeks post-fertilization (22 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period) if the woman’s life is endangered or if her physical health is severely compromised.

You are the only one who can decide if an abortion is the right unwanted pregnancy option for you. However, it may be helpful to speak with a counselor who can provide more information. You should look for licensed medical professionals who can provide non-biased, objective information on abortion without trying to change your mind. You should also try to find a professional who can provide resources for all of your options, not just abortion.

When you do start looking for unplanned pregnancy counselors, you should be aware that not every professional will have your best interest in mind. Pregnancy crisis centers are known for their spread of misinformation, and will often present inaccurate or false information in order to sway you from your decision.

If you choose to speak to an adoption specialist, please remember that you will only receive free, unbiased information. You are under no obligation to choose adoption over abortion, and your specialist will do everything they can to help you make the right decision.

If you’re looking for more resources and information about early pregnancy options in Kansas (including abortion), you can always reach out to these professionals:

• Comprehensive Health Center of Overland Park, Kansas
• Wichita Health Center of Wichita, Kansas

Which Unwanted Pregnancy Option in KS is Right for Me?

No matter which of your pregnancy options in Kansas you choose, know that there are people ready to support you. This will likely be the hardest decision of your life, so it’s okay to take your time when you consider all your options. Although your friends and family will have their own opinions, don’t let them pressure you into a decision that you’re not comfortable with.

Remember that unplanned pregnancy counseling is available in every state. If you’re having trouble making a decision, any adoption professional or unplanned pregnancy counselor will be able to provide the information you need.