Considering your options?

Every year, hundreds of women face unplanned pregnancies.  They all ask themselves “Why me?  What about my future?  What am I going to do?” just like you are now.  Being pregnant doesn’t necessarily mean you are ready to be a parent.

Maybe you have thought about adoption but don’t really know what is involved.  Maybe adoption seems like the easy way out, as friends or family members may say.  Maybe you think they will look down on you or think you don’t care about your baby if you choose adoption. Maybe others have accused you of being selfish for even thinking about adoption.

To the contrary, choosing an adoption plan takes a lot of courage and love! Most people know that a woman who chooses adoption loves her baby very much and is making a very brave sacrifice for her child’s future.  Some people may disagree with your decision. That can be hurtful and difficult to get past.  It is only natural for you to wonder if adoption is, in fact, the best choice for you and your baby.  But only you can decide whether:

• you are willing to give the next 18 or more years of your life to be totally responsible for this child;

• you are willing to place concern for his/her welfare above your own;

• you could raise a child and still meet your own school, career and social needs;

• you could do this without having to depend on your family to take over for you;

• right now, you are able to provide for your child’s financial, emotional and physical needs; and

• you feel ready to be a parent by yourself?

If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, you should seriously consider adoption as a most loving choice for your child.  You may wish, “If only things were different!”  But you must make your decision based on what your life is like right now.  Putting you baby’s future first is one of the most loving things you can do – and one of the hardest.  It hurts to think that as much as you love your baby, you may not feel ready or able to provide the stable, secure home you wish for your baby.  But sometimes, an adoptive family can better provide the stability and security you want for your baby. Learn more about adoption options on the next page.