An unplanned pregnancy is a life-changing event. If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, then you’re likely overwhelmed. That’s why we’re here.

For many people, it’s unclear what their best option is. You may be finishing up your education, or you may be concerned about financials because you’re already caring for another child. Because of these things, parenting may not be the best path.

One of the most obvious options for an unplanned pregnancy is abortion. But, we understand that abortion isn’t for everyone. You may be wondering what alternatives to abortion there may be. So, we’ve created this guide that explores three abortion alternatives. We will go over the three options and the pros and cons of each.

If you have any questions as you’re reading, then please don’t hesitate to contact us online today!

1.     Adoption

Adoption is an alternative to abortion. Many pregnant people forget that adoption is one of their unplanned pregnancy options. You may be familiar with adoption as a concept, but you may not understand the finer details of how adoption works.

You may be wondering, “Is adoption a good alternative to abortion?” Adoption can be a beautiful, but also challenging, journey. Through adoption, you would be making a selfless, loving and brave choice that puts your child’s needs before your own. Logistically speaking, it can also make pregnancy-related aspects such as medical care and costs easier to deal with. To start the adoption process, most people choose to work with a private adoption agency. Trusted, experienced adoption agencies offer benefits such as:

• Free, 24/7 counseling and support for the emotional journey
• Financial support so you can focus on your pregnancy
• Guidance for creating an adoption plan
• Help with selecting an adoptive family
• And much more

Most prospective birth mothers also qualify for adoption financial assistance in some way.  This can help cover pregnancy-related costs, such as medical care, living expenses and more. An adoption agency’s services are always free to prospective birth mothers, too. Because of this, adoption can be one of the more cost-effective choices other than abortion.  If you already know that you don’t want an abortion, your options are parenting or adoption. Parenting, as you may know, is extremely costly. Adoption is the only unplanned pregnancy option that is 100% free.

As expected, any of your options instead of abortion will come with their set of perks and challenges, just like abortion itself. If you’re trying to determine whether adoption is the right choice for you, then here are some pros and cons to mull over:

Pros

• You give your child a life of love and opportunity.
• You can build a lifelong bond with your child and their adoptive family through open adoption.
• There will likely be financial assistance and emotional support throughout your pregnancy.
• You can help a couple realize their dreams of parenthood.

Cons

• You carry your pregnancy to term.
• Adoption can come with challenging and complex emotions.
• Open adoption relationships aren’t always simple, even if they are rewarding.
• Others in your life may unfortunately have negative opinions about adoption.

Everyone’s circumstances are different, so there could be some more specific pros or cons not listed here. Be sure to think carefully about whether adoption suits your personal needs as one of your abortion alternatives. To learn more about adoption, contact us today about speaking with an adoption professional.

2.     Parenting

What are your options besides abortion and adoption? If you’re searching for abortion alternatives, then it’s likely that you don’t think parenting is the best choice for you. Parenting is seriously challenging. The emotional journey and financial responsibility could be too much to bear at this point in your life.

But, in terms of alternatives to abortion besides adoption, parenting is still an option. If adoption is not an alternative to abortion for you, then parenting could be.

When you’re considering parenting, think about what kind of relationship you have with the father of the baby. Will they be involved and supportive for you and your child? Or, will they be absent and unsupportive? If it’s the latter, then how do you feel about being a single parent?

Also, parenting costs a lot of money. There are fees such as medical care leading up to and during your labor and delivery. There’s also the cost of parenting itself to consider. If finances are an impediment to parenting as one of your abortion alternatives, then social services and other resources are always available to you.

You will also need to think about what point you’re at in life. Some people looking at options instead of abortion still have their education to finish. Others have career aspirations, and others are mothers who can’t afford to raise another child. Parenting redefines your future, and if you’re ready for that exciting, challenging journey, then parenting could be for you.

The pros and cons of parenting depend on your situation, but here are some of the basics:

Pros

• You can gain a new perspective on life.
• This experience can define your life in a beautiful way.
• You develop an ongoing connection with your child.
• You can create new, treasured memories.

Cons

• The cost of parenting is prohibitive.
• Carrying a pregnancy to term can be expensive and challenging.
• Parenting could be harder than you imagined.
• Navigating a new relationship in your life will take plenty of work.
• If you’re already a parent and struggling to provide for your older children, adding a new child may place more strain on your family.

In case you’re looking for unplanned pregnancy options besides abortion, adoption or parenting, below is one more.

3.     Legal Guardianship

Another one of your abortion alternatives is legal guardianship. This path lies somewhere between parenting and adoption. If adoption isn’t viable for you and parenting isn’t possible right now, then legal guardianship can buy you some time.

When you sign legal guardianship of your child with a close friend or family member, you still keep some of your parental rights. To get started on this path, you will need to find a lawyer and determine who the guardian would be.

Legal guardianship, though an option, can be complicated. Your child will likely form an emotional bond with their guardian, and being brought back into your home at a later date can make for a difficult transition. Take this into account when considering some of the pros and cons of your alternatives for abortion.

Pros

• You have the opportunity to become a parent when you’re ready.
• You still have a relationship with your child.
• You can continue your education, career or other goals.

Cons

• Legal guardianship is only a temporary solution.
• The guardian may not abide by your parenting style, but you have the legal power to change that.
• The transition from the guardian into your care can be confusing for your child.

Weigh these pros and cons carefully, and take your time. If it ever becomes too confusing, then be sure to contact a professional. You can also reach out to us at any time to be connected with an adoption professional and get free information now.