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5 Months Pregnant [Can I Give My Baby Up for Adoption?]

If you’re 5 months pregnant and don’t want the baby, you might be asking yourself, “Can I give my baby up for adoption at 5 months pregnant?”  

Yes, it’s never too late to choose adoption for your baby.

By now, a lot has changed for you, both physically and emotionally. Your baby is growing bigger every day, and you’ve experienced just about every pregnancy symptom there is. It hasn’t been easy, but on top of everything else you’ve been going through, you’ve had to struggle with one big question: What to do when you’re 18, 19 or 20 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby or don’t feel prepared to raise him or her.

This will be a transformative decision. So, it’s understandable if you’re having trouble figuring out which unplanned pregnancy option is right for you at five months. Whether you’re 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22 weeks along, just know that know that you still have options available.

Your situation may seem difficult at 5 months pregnant, but we’re here to help. Whether you’re 18 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby or 22 weeks and don’t want the baby, this guide will help you make the best decision for you and your baby.

If you’re ready to speak with an adoption professional, you can contact us today.

YOUR BABY’S DEVELOPMENT AT 5 MONTHS PREGNANT

We’ve got good news about the second trimester. Those awful pregnancy symptoms you’ve experienced up until now? They’re slowly starting to subside.

As you move towards the third trimester, here’s what you should know about your baby’s development during month five of your pregnancy.

  • 18 Weeks: Your baby is getting much bigger at 18 weeks, which is going to make things a little bit rough for you. At this point, it’s a good idea to start sleeping on your side instead of your back. We know that won’t make things 100% easier, but it should help some of your pain subside.
  •  19 Weeks: At 19 weeks, it’s almost time for your mid-pregnancy ultrasound. There, you’ll finally have the option of finding out the sex of the baby, which is great news if you’re planning on parenting. You can finally pick out all the cute baby clothes you want! However, if you’ve asked, “I’m 19 weeks and I don’t want my baby, what do I do?” know that you still have some time to make a decision. Your window of time may be closing for an abortion, but adoption will always be an option for you.
  •  20 Weeks: You’re finally at the halfway point of your pregnancy. Only 20 more weeks to go! If you’re 20 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, you’re probably feeling relieved that it’s almost over. Right now, you’re still probably feeling some uncomfortable symptoms, like heartburn, cramps, and swelling.
  •  21 Weeks: Now that the third trimester is approaching, you’ll probably feel more of your baby’s movements. Unfortunately, you’re probably still feeling a bunch of those uncomfortable symptoms that you did last week.
  •  22 Weeks: When you’re 22 weeks pregnant, you might have a harder time catching your breath as your baby tries to get nice and comfortable. You’re probably experiencing some more not-so-fun side effects of your baby getting bigger, like stretch marks, swollen hands and feet, and backaches. I’m you’re asking, “I’m 22 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, what should I do?” remember that it’s never too early or too late to reach out to an adoption specialist.

“CAN I GIVE MY BABY UP FOR ADOPTION AT 5 MONTHS PREGNANT?”

Yes, you can choose adoption at this stage of pregnancy. At 5 months, you’ve still got quite a bit of time to decide which option is right for you. To help you make your decision here is a bit more information if you’re 18–22 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby.

Adoption

Whether you’re considering adoption at 18 weeks or asking, “Can you put a baby up for adoption at 21 weeks pregnant?” the answer to that question will always be yes.

Many women consider adoption to be the best decision they could have made for themselves and for their baby. This unplanned pregnancy option can be chosen at any point, and that includes at 5 months. If you haven’t already done so, now would be a great time to start contacting adoption agencies and creating an adoption plan.

Why consider adoption now? There are a couple of reasons.

First, You can also start checking out adoptive families online, and you can even filter your search based on your preferences. Larger, national adoption agencies will have more family profiles to consider. You can keep looking through profiles until you find a family that is perfect for your baby. The choice is up to you.

Second, pregnancy is probably getting more and more expensive. If you know that the medical bills are going to be too much to handle, then you will be relieved to learn about adoption financial assistance. Most prospective birth mothers are eligible to have medical, legal, cost-of-living and other costs covered,

Lastly, you should also think about what you want your hospital stay to look like. This can include if you plan to nurse if you want to take pictures with the adoptive family, and more. You are under no rush and you’re not under any time constraints if you’re considering this unplanned pregnancy option. But getting a head start will make your life a lot easier. It’s also worth noting that you can make changes to your adoption plan at any time, and your adoption specialist will make the appropriate arrangements.

While you may hear the phrase “give your baby up” for adoption, adoption is anything but giving up. You’re giving your baby the chance to have a life full of opportunity. It’s a decision that comes from a place of love and compassion.

“Honestly, just sit down and think about the best interest of your child,” Julia said about choosing adoption. “You’re going to contemplate the decision a hundred times but, at the end of the day, you’re going to know what’s right for you and what’s right for your child. Don’t think that your life is over; yeah, you have a little bump in the road, but that’s not going to stop you.”

If you haven’t had a chance to talk to an adoption counselor yet, and you’re 18–22 weeks and don’t want the baby, you can fill out our free information form to get connected with a licensed professional. They’ll be able to give you information on all of your unplanned pregnancy options, not just adoption.

Abortion

When a woman finds out that she’s unexpectedly pregnant, abortion might be her first option. At this stage in your pregnancy, understand that abortion laws will only become more restrictive for you. Thankfully, you are still in the second trimester, which means that you may still have a small window of time to choose this option, depending on where you live. The most important thing to do is move quickly. If you’re 20 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, we recommend speaking with your doctor as soon as possible to see what options are still available now that you’re past 12 weeks.

Parenting

Becoming a parent is a great choice for many women. If you’re considering this option, now is a great time to get ready for baby’s arrival in your home. Start stocking up on essentials and design the nursery you’ve always dreamed of. While you’ve still got a few months to go, we say the earlier the better! And at 5 months, it’s a good idea to start creating a birth plan so that you can be prepared for your baby’s arrival.

If you’re still feeling “on the fence” about your unplanned pregnancy options at this stage, that’s OK. It’s common for women to worry about which option is right throughout their pregnancy, even after they make their decision. If you’re having trouble determining which option is right for you, and you’re 18–22 weeks pregnant and don’t want the baby, please don’t hesitate to reach out to an adoption professional. A specialist can give you information about all of your unplanned pregnancy options, not just adoption.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Deciding what to do with an unplanned pregnancy won’t be easy. But, no matter what choice you make, you’ll know when it’s the right one.

Take the time to really think about what you want for your and your baby’s future, and make sure to do plenty of research about all of your options when you’re five months pregnant and don’t want the baby or don’t feel able to parent. If you’re ready to learn more, please contact us today to get connected with an adoption professional.