What are my options?
What Are My Options If I'm Pregnant?
If you're facing an unexpected pregnancy, you have three main options to consider: abortion, adoption, and parenting. Life Forward recommends confirming your pregnancy before making a decision and gathering information about each option. Adoption involves choosing another individual or family to raise your child, while parenting means raising your child yourself. Abortion involves ending a pregnancy through medication or a surgical procedure. Life Forward offers confidential consultations, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and educational resources at no charge to help you explore your options.
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What Are the Different Types of Abortion?
There are two main methods of abortion: medication abortion and surgical abortion. Medication abortion, also called the abortion pill, uses medication to end a pregnancy and causes bleeding and cramping as the uterus empties. Surgical abortion involves a medical procedure that uses suction or other medical instruments to empty the uterus. During the second trimester, a surgical procedure called dilation and evacuation (D&E) may be used. The available method depends partly on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
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Can Medication Abortions Be Reversed?
There is currently no definitive scientific evidence that taking progesterone after mifepristone can reverse a medication abortion. Some studies have suggested that progesterone might allow a pregnancy to continue, but Life Forward explains that these studies have significant limitations. The article also notes that some pregnancies continue after taking mifepristone without taking misoprostol, even without progesterone treatment. One study investigating progesterone treatment was stopped early because of safety concerns. If you've taken mifepristone and are reconsidering your decision, Life Forward recommends speaking with your doctor or healthcare provider.
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What Are My Adoption Options?
Adoption arrangements traditionally fall into three categories: open, semi-open, and closed adoption. Open adoption allows birth parents to maintain a relationship with their child and the adoptive family. Semi-open adoption typically involves receiving pictures and updates without direct contact, while closed adoption involves no ongoing relationship with the adoptive family. Life Forward explains that modern adoption is more flexible, allowing birth parents to develop an adoption plan based on their preferred level of involvement and communication. An adoption professional can help you explore potential families and create a plan.
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What Are My Options If I Choose to Parent?
If you choose to parent your child, Life Forward recommends considering your support system, financial stability, housing, lifestyle, and future goals. Raising a child brings new responsibilities and expenses, including medical care, diapers, clothing, and formula. Support may be available through family, friends, community organizations, and parenting education programs. Life Forward offers Upward and Momentum parenting education programs, along with referrals for housing, healthcare, and financial assistance. These resources can help you prepare for parenting and navigate the changes that come with raising a child.
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What Should I Consider Before Having an Abortion?
Before considering an abortion, Life Forward recommends confirming your pregnancy and learning about the potential physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual effects. The article identifies possible physical complications, including excessive bleeding, persistent abdominal pain, infection, and fever. It also encourages you to consider your emotional well-being, personal values, support system, and whether anyone is pressuring you to make a particular decision. Life Forward offers confidential consultations with medical professionals and Client Educators to help you explore these considerations and ask questions before deciding.
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How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill, also called medication abortion, typically involves two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain pregnancy. Misoprostol is then taken 24 to 48 hours later to complete the abortion. Life Forward explains that medication abortion is used during early pregnancy, up to 10 weeks or 70 days after the first day of your last menstrual period. Possible side effects include cramping, vaginal bleeding, fatigue, chills, fever, and nausea. The article recommends consulting a healthcare provider before proceeding and following up afterward.
Read more: What You Should Know About the Abortion Pill
What Should I Consider Before Choosing Adoption?
Before choosing adoption, consider how involved you want to be in your child's life, whether you want contact with the adoptive family, and what type of relationship you hope to maintain. Life Forward explains that modern adoption arrangements offer different levels of communication and involvement. Other considerations include selecting adoptive parents, deciding when custody will transfer, and determining where your child will be raised. The article also discusses the physical and emotional experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and adoption, including possible feelings of grief or loss. Life Forward offers confidential consultations and referrals to help you explore these considerations.
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What Should I Consider Before Choosing to Parent?
Before choosing to parent, consider the physical, emotional, financial, and practical responsibilities of raising a child. Life Forward encourages expecting parents to evaluate their support systems, living arrangements, childcare responsibilities, and ability to provide for their child's needs. Parenting can also affect relationships, daily routines, and personal goals. The article discusses physical changes during pregnancy and childbirth, emotional experiences after delivery, and the importance of a safe, stable home. Life Forward offers parenting education through its Upward and Momentum programs, along with referrals to community resources.
Read more: Important Things to Consider When Thinking About Parenting