Facing a new pregnancy … whether unplanned or even a planned pregnancy, can be a time of uncertainty, and even fear. You may be feeling overwhelmed and even alone. We want you to know, you are not alone. We know it can be hard to process the news, and it may be hard to even try to make a decision on how you should move forward. We want to encourage you not to feel panic not to rush into making a decision. It is important to give yourself plenty of time to first process, and then to think through and learn all you can before you make any decision.
Making an appointment at Life Options Clinic is a good first step. When you come in, we will talk with you about your circumstances, your goals and dreams, your current feelings about your pregnancy … and then we will walk you through each option so that you will have accurate information to move forward in the decision you need to make. Everything we do at Life Options Clinic is free and confidential.
You basically have three options:
Parenting
The first option is parenting. We do understand that this can be scary … you may be facing a situation that makes parenting seem impossible for you, but thankfully, there are so many programs and resources available that can help. You may have more questions than answers about parenting. We’ve talked to hundreds of clients who are concerned about things like this:
- My partner doesn’t want the baby, but I do … I’m all alone
- How will I finish school?
- How will I continue working?
- Where will I live?
- I don’t have medical insurance
- I can’t afford a child
- I’m too young
- I don’t have any parenting skills
- How do I change a diaper?
- How do I feed my baby?
- What happens if my baby gets sick?
At Life Options Clinic, we can talk with you about your specific situation and see what would be most helpful to you. We offer an education program, called Life University, to help you feel as prepared as possible to parent. When you participate in our education classes, you earn “Baby Bucks” for each class you take. You can then spend those baby bucks in our Baby Boutique to help you with the material resources you are going to need.
Abortion
If you’re thinking about abortion as an option, it is important to remember that abortion is a medical procedure. What are the procedures used? What are the risks? You deserve to know the facts. You owe it to yourself to make an informed decision.
We understand the overwhelming feelings you may be having:
- Maybe you’re still in school and wonder how you can manage
- Maybe you do not have a good relationship with the father of the baby or even with your own family
- Maybe someone is insisting you get an abortion
- Maybe you feel like you are not ready to be a parent
- Maybe you feel you are not financially ready
- Maybe you already have other children at home and don’t feel you can take on the responsibility of another child
- Maybe you’re afraid to tell anyone you are pregnant.
Whatever your circumstances are, you need to gather all the information you can before making any decision.
If you’re considering abortion, you need to know:
- Are you really pregnant?
- Is your pregnancy normal? Or are you at risk for natural miscarriage? Or do you have a tubal pregnancy requiring immediate medical attention?
- How far along are you?
- Are there any short-term or long-term risks to consider?
- Have you been tested for any sexually transmitted diseases?
Our client advocates and nurses can help you understand your choices and your pregnancy. We will discuss your health and discuss all your options. We know how you feel and you’re not alone. Some of our staff have been right where you are. They are loving and compassionate. You will be treated with dignity and grace, and your privacy will be totally protected.
Adoption
For some, adoption is the best option. If you choose adoption, you will carry the baby to term, but then the baby is raised by another family. There are many different types of adoption you can choose, depending on what you are comfortable with: open or semi-open adoption where you can be involved in your child’s life as much or as little as you desire. There are also closed adoptions, where no identifying information is shared and there is no ongoing relationship between the birth and adoptive families. You can choose to do a private adoption, or use an agency to walk through the process.