Deciding on a pregnancy outcome option can be extremely challenging when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Though it may seem too difficult to choose, you are the best person to make this decision.

If you know parenting will not work for you, you can choose between abortion and adoption.

Abortion

Many women view abortion as a quick fix; the easy way out. However, abortion is a serious medical procedure with risks that should be understood before the procedure so that the woman can weigh the risks against the benefits.

There are two forms of abortion, medical and surgical. Which procedure is used depends on how far along the pregnancy is and the woman’s medical history. 

Medical abortion, or “the abortion pill,” is FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Attempting this procedure after 10 weeks could increase a woman’s risk of complications. 

Other reasons why women may not be eligible for medical abortion include the following:

• Have a pregnancy outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
• Have a blood clotting disorder or significant anemia.
• Have chronic adrenal failure.
• Use long-term corticosteroids.
• Have an intrauterine device (IUD).
• Have an allergy to the medications used.
• Do not have access to emergency care.
• Can’t return for a follow-up visit.

Surgical abortions vary in procedure depending on how far along the pregnancy is. 

Women may avoid surgical abortion for many reasons, including:

• It is a more invasive process than a medical abortion
• The procedure can be costly, especially if a woman chooses to be sedated 
• Concerns over how their mental health will be affected
• Due to Florida laws, women that are further along in their pregnancies would need to travel out of state to abort a fetus that is over 15 weeks (a new law could soon ban abortions after 6 weeks)

Adoption 

Adoption is also a challenging decision as it requires sacrifice. Many women find that the sacrifice is worth the peace they have from knowing their child is alive and cared for in a loving home. 

Within adoption, there are more choices to allow a birth mother the ability to create a plan that works best for her:

• Open adoption: A birth mother who would like to choose the parents that raise her child should choose an open adoption. She can also set up an agreement for contact with the child. This might look different for each situation. For example, some birth mothers would like frequent in-person contact, while others may just want phone call updates.
• Semi-open adoption: This plan allows communication between the birth mother and adoptive family through a third party. The birth mother can still receive updates about their child, but all parties’ identities remain confidential.
• Closed adoption: For women that do not want contact with their child following the adoption, a closed adoption offers the privacy and confidentiality they may want.

You Can Do This

This is not an easy decision, but we believe you have what it takes to make the best choice. Schedule an appointment today for more information about all your options or free pregnancy services.