Options for an unplanned pregnancy
If someone is unexpectedly pregnant, only they can decide which choice is right for them. They can gain clarity by exploring each option thoroughly. An OA&FS counselor can support someone who is considering their pregnancy options through free pregnancy options counseling. Some questions to consider include:
- How would each choice affect your everyday life?
- How do each of the choices fit with your values and beliefs?
- What would each choice mean to the people closest to you?
- Who can you count on to support you through this process?
- What are your plans for the future and how will this choice affect those plans?
Counselors are available seven days a week, 7am-9pm. Call, text, or fill out our expectant parent contact form to get started. If after 9pm, a counselor will reach out the next day.
Click one of the three buttons below for questions to consider and recommended resources for each pregnancy option: parenting, abortion, and adoption.
Additional pregnancy options resources
- Planned Parenthood pregnancy options
- Power to Decide - works to ensure that every young person has the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant—increasing their opportunity to pursue the future they want.
- Bedsider.org pregnancy options - Bedsider is an online birth control support network for women 18-29 operated by Power to Decide.
- Pregnancy Choices: Raising the Baby, Adoption, and Abortion - from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- pregnancyoptions.info - This site has a workbook for pregnancy options and another for abortion resolution, as well as a list of resources for each option.
- All-Options Talkline - is staffed by trained peer counselors who provide nonjudgmental support for folks calling to discuss all pregnancy experiences, including parenting, abortion, adoption, miscarriage, and infertility. Calls from loved ones are also welcomed.
Frequently asked questions
- Are your counselors biased toward adoption?
Although we have “adoption” in our agency name, our counselors are committed to providing unbiased, all-options counseling to all people who are pregnant or parenting. Our first priority when working with any pregnant person is to support them in exploring all of their options. The majority of people who access our counseling services do not ultimately choose to plan an adoption.
- Can both parents be involved in the process?
Yes, we welcome the cooperation and participation of the non-pregnant parent. Ideally, both parents help choose the adoptive family, meet them, and develop ongoing relationships. Each birth parent can create a separate Open Adoption Agreement with the adoptive family. Adoptees benefit from knowing all parts of who they are.
- Do you continue to offer counseling if I choose abortion or parenting?
Yes, our counseling continues to be available to provide support, resources, and referrals after an abortion or parenting choice has been made. We are not a mental health provider, but can help people explore other resources for ongoing help and support as needed.
- Do you provide abortion services?
We are not an abortion provider. We provide abortion resources, support, and referrals to trusted organizations/providers.
- Do you provide parenting resources and support?
We provide information about supports available and help people connect with community resources for all options, including parenting.
- How are you different from other agencies?
We are a nonprofit, full-service agency that provides no-cost all-options pregnancy counseling. We’re pro-choice, promote reproductive justice, and are not religiously affiliated. When the choice is adoption, we provide pre- and post-placement counseling and support for adoptee-centered open adoptions. We have an active adoption community and host events to encourage ongoing education, build relationships, and provide lifelong support. Our board of directors is led by a birth parent and comprised of adoptees, adoptive parents and birth parents who all help inform our services.
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