Home > Help in a Crisis > Unplanned Pregnancy

In the case of an unexpected and/or unwanted pregnancy, there are three main options to be considered. These are having an abortion, having the baby and putting it up for adoption, or keeping the baby. All are potentially life-altering decisions and should be carefully considered.

You can have an abortion safely and legally up to 6 months into the pregnancy, so you do not need to make the decision right away, but the procedure is safer the earlier it is done. Please see the section on abortion for more detailed information.

Some people, for whatever reason, do not feel that abortion is a viable option for them, but they are still not prepared to raise a child. In this case, adoption may be the best option. There is a long list of people who would like to adopt children, and you can be as involved in the process as you would like. Adoption agencies will help you find good parents for your child.

Finally, you may choose to have the baby. Just because a pregnancy is unplanned does not mean that it is undesired in many cases. This is the option that requires the most commitment on your part; raising a child takes a great amount of personal effort. Making sure that you have a network of people who are available and willing to help you is a good idea. If you are single or still in school or out of work, there are a number of organizations that will work with you to try to provide the best possible environment for your child.

It is important that you make the decision that is best for you. You should explore your options thoroughly; what is best for you may not be what is best for your parents or your friends or anybody else. This is a big decision and you should feel comfortable with whatever you decide.