Life seems challenging right now. Being pregnant is the last thing you expected in your situation, and you’re at a loss for what to do. Worries plague your mind, and emotions overwhelm you. Am I going to survive this? Who do I go to for help? What are my next steps?
You’re not alone! Adoption Choices of Oklahoma knows that this isn’t what you imagined, what you envisioned for your child. But life doesn’t always go as planned. You’re not the first woman to face an unplanned pregnancy, and you certainly won’t be the last. Let us help you navigate your options!
1. Parenting
You may consider parenting your child. While unexpected motherhood is challenging, it’s not impossible! Nevertheless, ask yourself these questions before making a decision:
- Can I give my son or daughter the life he or she deserves?
- Am I willing to work hard to put myself in a better place for my child?
If you’re determined to take steps to provide a better situation for your unborn child, start by visiting your healthcare provider. Not only will your doctor make sure that you and your baby are healthy, but he or she can also be a good source for your mental well-being. Raising a child isn’t easy, but there is help that exists. You don’t have to go through this alone.
2. Terminating Your Pregnancy
If you don’t feel ready to become a parent at this point in your life, you have the right to choose termination. Remember, though, that abortion laws vary by state. In Oklahoma, law states that abortions are legal prior to 22 weeks of pregnancy, so long as they’re performed by licensed physicians. There’s also a mandated 72-hour waiting period, which begins as soon as an appointment is made on the phone or in-person. Furthermore, if you’re a minor, you’re required to have one parent or legal guardian give written consent. If you don’t have parental consent, you’ll need to complete a judicial bypass process. That said, be sure to contact your local Planned Parenthood for more details!
3. Making a Plan of Adoption
Your final unplanned pregnancy option is adoption. If parenting or terminating your pregnancy isn’t a viable option for you, adoption allows you the opportunity to give your child a life you wish you were able to provide – one full of safety and security. This option is always available to you, no matter how early or late in your pregnancy you are! However, the earlier you contact an adoption professional, the earlier you can start receiving necessary prenatal care, housing assistance, financial aid for living expenses, and more. Adoption will always be free to you, and appropriate agencies and professionals will make sure you receive the services you need to have a successful adoption journey.
At Adoption Choices of Oklahoma, we help provide financial assistance, medical care, housing, transport, and post-placement support. More than anything, we want you to feel safe and secure in your living situation. If you express interest in placing your child for adoption, we will respond immediately!
Unplanned Pregnancy Options
Like any other pregnant woman, you have choices. Make sure that you learn as much as you can about all of your unplanned pregnancy options before moving forward. This way, you can choose the path that is right for you.
Are you feeling like you don’t know where to start? That’s okay! We’ll help you take that first step by answering any and all questions to better prepare you for what lies ahead.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma
If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of Oklahoma. You may visit our website here or call 405-794-7500 (Oklahoma City) or 918-982-6220 (Tulsa).
Support Adoption Choices
Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.
However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.
About the Author
Patience Bramlett, a University of Southern Mississippi news editorial graduate, is a seasoned and award-winning freelance writer. She is also a passionate reader, whose only wish is to live life without fear of the unknown. Her motivation and inspiration to live her best life stems from the words of John Lennon:
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
This year, she’s officially joining Adoption Choices Inc. as a Content Writer. Fueled by her love of family, she hopes to educate those looking to grow their families through adoption.
When Patience is not exploring Colorado with her husband, she’s drinking coffee, forever figuring out how to tame her hair, growing her library, and trying to break into the publishing career.
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Sources:
“Pregnancy Options: Unplanned Pregnancy Help and Counseling.” Planned Parenthood, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pregnancy-options.
“Reproductive Rights in Colorado.” NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, NARAL Pro-Choice America, https://prochoicecolorado.org/laws-policy/in-our-state/.
“Unplanned Pregnancy Options.” Avail NYC, 14 Feb. 2018, https://www.availnyc.org/unplanned-pregnancy-options/.
