Is Abortion or Adoption Right for Me?

Only you can answer if abortion or adoption is the better choice for you and your unexpected pregnancy. No one has the power to force you to do either. Both decisions have a lifetime of consequences so you need to get as much information as possible about each option before you decide. Let Women’s Resource Medical Centers help you.

Before you choose abortion or adoption

You need a pregnancy screening before you can make any decisions. Our Center offers screening services at no cost to you.

No-cost pregnancy testing

Even if you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, you’ll want to verify the results with one of ours. At-home pregnancy tests are reliable, but often women take them too early or don’t follow the directions carefully. It’s also possible for some over-the-counter tests to be past their expiration date.

We offer confidential pregnancy testing and ultrasounds at no cost to you.

No-cost ultrasound

Our ultrasound services are also confidential and at no cost to you. If you received a positive result, you’ll want to schedule an ultrasound. Only an ultrasound can tell if your pregnancy is viable. A viable pregnancy means a fetal heartbeat is heard. Ultrasound also measures the number of weeks you’ve been pregnant and where your pregnancy is located.

Once you’ve confirmed your pregnancy and know how far along you are, it’s time to look closely at the options of abortion and adoption.

Abortion

If abortion is an option for you, there are definite physical and emotional side effects and risks you’ll be taking that you should become aware of. Thus, it is important to confirm pregnancy and viability and get information on this option by a medical professional. The number of weeks you’ve been pregnant determines which type of procedure you qualify for.

Medical Abortion

A medical abortion can only be performed if you’re 10 weeks along or less. This abortion procedure is also known as the abortion pill method. You take a series of two powerful drugs. The first drug thins the lining of the uterus. A fertilized egg needs a thick lining to stay implanted and receive nourishment.

The second drug causes cramping and contractions to expel your pregnancy.

Side Effects and Potential Risks:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Fever, possible infection
• Cramping
• Possible emotional issues of guilt, anger, and depression

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion must be performed in a clinic or doctor’s office. The type of surgical abortion you qualify for is decided by the number of weeks you’ve been pregnant. A dilation and curettage (D & C) is the earliest surgical abortion available (around 10 to 13 weeks). It uses vacuum aspiration and an instrument to scrape out the remaining tissue.

Later abortions use dilation and evacuation (D & E) or dilation and extraction (D & X). They’re more invasive and have the potential for greater side effects and risks. In addition to vacuum aspiration, the size of the fetus will determine how far the doctor needs to dilate your cervix. In later weeks, items like forceps are also needed to extract the entire fetus.

Side Effects and Potential Risks:

• Perforation of the uterus
• Seriously heavy bleeding
• Damage to the cervix
• Cramping
• Possible emotional issues of guilt, anger, and depression

Adoption

Adoption is a difficult decision to make. However, depending on your current situation and the type of adoption plan you choose, it could be the best option for you. If you’re not ready to parent, in a harmful relationship, or in the middle of school or a career, adoption lets you still be a mother without the responsibility that comes with parenting.

Choosing your adoption plan

There are several different types of adoption plans. Open adoption means you and the adoptive family exchange all identifying information. The two of you have direct access to one another through texts, phone calls, emails, etc. Plus, you can arrange visits.

A closed adoption means you remain completely anonymous. No identifying information is exchanged and the birth certificate is sealed to protect your identity. Choosing a semi-open adoption puts you somewhere in between the other two. You have communication with the adoptive family, but it’s through your adoption coordinator rather than directly with each other.

Choosing your adoptive family

Today, the birth mother makes all the adoption decisions. She chooses the adoptive family, the type of environment she wants for her child, and the adoption plan that suits her.

Potential adoptive families are closely screened. They’re required to have a background check for a criminal or abuse record, a home study to see if their home is ready to receive a child, answer a multitude of questions, and provide a portfolio of photos.

Knowing if adoption is your best choice

Choosing adoption is an emotional decision, but with support, it can be a wonderful option. By choosing open adoption, you’ll have the opportunity to see your child thrive and tell them why you made the decision.. It’s not an easy decision by any means, but it could be the best one.

Deciding if abortion or adoption is right for you

As you can see, neither of these decisions are easy to make. We’re here to help you sort through both processes and make the best choice for you and your future. Visit Women’s Resource Medical Center for a no-cost consultation. You don’t have to make this decision alone. How can we serve you?