If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy, your options are parenting, adoption, or abortion. If parenting is not the right choice for you, understanding the differences between adoption and abortion can help you make an informed decision.
What Should I Know About Adoption?
Pursuing adoption allows you to create an adoption plan based on your preferences, including choosing the adoptive family. There are three types of adoption, each offering different levels of contact and involvement between you, the biological parent, and the child, as well as their adoptive family:
- Open adoption is the most common option in the U.S. and allows ongoing communication with the adoptive family.
- Semi-open adoption offers limited communication facilitated by an agency or attorney.
- Closed adoption is fully confidential, with all identifying information sealed by the court and no exchange or contact between the parent and child or adoptive family.
Another aspect of adoption is that you may be eligible for help with pregnancy-related medical care and certain living expenses, which are often covered by the adoptive family of your choosing.
What Should I Know About Abortion?
When considering abortion, discussions focus on access and procedure, while emotional and physical effects often receive less attention. Experts agree that “abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness.”
Take time to also understand the risks of abortion:
- Failure to end the pregnancy or retained pregnancy tissue.
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop. (This could lead to a need for a D&C.)
- Diarrhea and digestive pain.
- Allergic reaction to the medications.
- Infection (signs to look out for include an unpleasant vaginal odor and fever that lasts more than 24 to 48 hours).
You deserve clear information about each choice so you feel confident. Our team can discuss abortion risks, explore adoption, and answer your questions in a safe, supportive setting.
At Hope Clinic for Women, we offer evidence-based education and resources to help you decide what’s right for you. Contact us today.
