There are a lot of unknowns when you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, but in your case, there may already be one thing you do know — that abortion isn’t an option for you. So, you may be wondering: what are some alternatives to abortion for an unplanned pregnancy?
There are two: parenting and adoption. There is not one “right” choice, and whichever decision you make, it will be one that forever changes your life.
It’s important that you fully research your two alternatives to abortion to make the best choice for you and your child. If you have questions about your situation, give Bryan a call at 727-398-0086. He can explain the adoption process to you and give advice based on your own situation.
To start, we’ve laid out the basics of what you need to know about your alternatives for abortion in Florida:
Parenting
When you’re interested in alternatives to abortion other than adoption, parenting is your answer. But, if you think raising your child may be the right choice for you, make sure you can honestly answer this question: Are you ready to parent?
Being a parent is far from easy; there are serious financial, emotional and life sacrifices you may need to make for your child’s best interest. What you have planned for your life will likely change when you decide to parent your baby. Your career and life goals may have to be delayed so you can provide the best life possible for your child, and if you’re not 100 percent comfortable with that decision, being a parent could lead to resentment that negatively affects your mother-child relationship.
The most important thing you should consider is if you can provide the kind of life you want for your child. This not only includes financial stability (the average cost of raising a child today is $245,340) but also the type of household your child will grow up in. Will the birth father be involved, or will you be a single mother raising your child by yourself? And, if so, will you have the support you need from friends and family members?
Choosing to parent a child is not a decision to be taken lightly, as it’s a commitment to put your child’s needs before yours for the rest of their life. Before you make this decision, it’s important that you’ve seriously considered the effects parenting will have on your and your child’s lives.
Adoption
If you’re considering adoption as an alternative to abortion, it might be because you know you’re not ready for the commitment of raising your child yourself — and that’s a difficult, but brave, choice to make. Choosing adoption will give your child the life you want for them but cannot provide yourself.
Unlike parenting or abortion, adoption is completely free for pregnant women. You will have adoption counselors supporting you every step of the way, and you will be the one in charge of your adoption journey.
Like parenting, adoption gives you the chance to watch your child grow up through open adoption. While the degree of communication will be decided between you and your child’s adoptive family, you can receive photos and letters of your baby as they grow up, letting you see their life accomplishments and still feel that sense of parental pride you would have experienced if you raised them yourself.
However, it’s important to note that open adoption is not co-parenting, so while adoption will give your child the life you weren’t able to provide, there may be some parenting styles you disagree with. The important thing to remember, however, is that your child will grow up in a loving and supportive family with adoption.
Adoption vs. parenting may be the most difficult choice you’ll ever make, but by choosing adoption, you are putting your child’s interests before your own and then allowing yourself to pursue your own dreams — knowing that your child is happy and healthy. While you most likely experience feelings of grief after the adoption process, it’s rare for a birth mother who has worked with adoption lawyer Bryan McLachlan to regret her choice.
—
While we can’t tell you how to choose adoption or to keep your baby, know that it’s never too late for adoption or parenting. Whether it’s during your pregnancy or after you’ve given birth, you can change your mind any time before you sign away your parental rights. It won’t be a decision that happens overnight — and that’s completely okay.
It may not seem like it right now, but already knowing that you want alternatives to abortion in Florida for your pregnancy will make your decision a little bit easier. If you think that adoption may be the right choice for you, or if you just have questions about your situation and how Bryan McLachlan can help, please give us a call for free and with no obligation at 727-398-0086.