Whether your pregnancy was unexpected or your situation has changed, you have some tough decisions ahead of you. The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself so that you can make an informed decision. Our adoption specialists are here to help you explore your options for your unplanned pregnancy without judgement or pressure. No matter what you decide, you will have our support.
“No matter where the baby ends up, people will often feel obligated to tell you to do what they feel is right or what you “should” do. Only you know what is right for you, and what’s right for what’s growing inside you.”
– Sarah D. | Birth Mother
Parenting
Raising a child can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever experience and the bond you’ll develop with your baby as he or she grows inside of you will be a strong one – for both of you. Becoming a parent means committing to emotional, physical and financial responsibility for your child. That might sound overwhelming, but there are resources out there that can help. Findhelp.org is a great website that will let you search for specific services by zip code. Their database includes organizations that can help with food, paying bills, child care – even things like diapers, car seats and formula. Adoption Advocates can also help you connect with local organizations that provide assistance for motherhood and parenting.
If you’re still unsure you’re able to raise your child, your counselor at AAI can help you create a parenting plan. This can help you see what parenting your child could look like and provide a guide for moving forward as you raise your child.
Adoption
Having another family raise your child is an emotionally complex decision, and one that will need a lot of thought. While every adoption looks different and many evolve over time, there are three main types of adoption. No matter which type of adoption feels right to you, you will always be in control of your adoption plan and the choices you make, including whether or not you want to choose the adoptive family. Learn what to expect with the adoption process.
Open Adoption: You’ll build a relationship with the adoptive family you’ve chosen and will get to decide how much contact you want after placement. This is usually involves communicating directly with each other through emails, texts and phone calls, but many of our families get together in person as well. Research has shown that open adoption benefits everyone, especially the child.
Semi-Open Adoption: In this type of adoption, you will still receive updates on your child in the form of letters and photos. All communication will come through the adoption agency though, so you might not have a relationship with the adoptive family or your child.
Closed Adoption: In a closed adoption, neither you or the adoptive family share identifying information and there is no contact after placement.
Abortion
On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the historic court ruling that protected women’s right to an abortion. Laws about abortion are now made by individual states; this means that, effective August 25, 2022, abortion is now illegal in Texas.
The ban on abortion is not nationwide, and access is available in some states. If you feel that terminating your pregnancy is the best option for you, we recommend speaking with a medical professional that can provide unbiased information on the procedure. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood may also be able to provide guidance and resources on traveling out-of-state.
If you don’t feel ready or able to raise a child, your unplanned pregnancy may have you feeling overwhelmed or anxious. You don’t have to go through this alone. Our adoption specialists are available to listen and can help you explore both parenting and adoption. Call us today at (512) 477-1122 or text (512) 270-8415 to ask your first question.
