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Unplanned Pregnancy Options

If you are pregnant and need help or are facing an unplanned pregnancy or unwanted pregnancy, you do not have to figure this out on your own. Take some time to learn more about the options available to you, explore resources that can help you, and talk to someone about your situation. Know that there is help and support available to you. Call or text us at any time 24/7 at 703-973-0129 to speak with a pregnancy counselor.

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy?

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be scary.  There is so much to consider, and no option seems to be an easy or painless one.  The truth is being a parent is hard. As a parent, you need to decide what you believe is best for you and the child that you are carrying. 

Whatever you choose, your choice will impact you for the rest of your life, so be sure to learn about your options before you decide.  You don’t have to figure this out alone- talk to a trusted friend or family member or call or text us anytime at 703-973-0129 to speak with one of our friendly, certified pregnancy counselors. 

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You have 3 general options when facing an unplanned pregnancy: 

Parenting - giving birth and raising the child

Parenting is hard, but it has the potential for so much joy.  It is a lifelong commitment to care for this child, to keep them safe, to love and nurture them and to guide them. Most woman who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant feel overwhelmed and depressed at the idea of parenting… because the timing wasn’t what they had planned on or because they see too many obstacles in front of them.

Take a breath. Talk to someone. Before you decide, know what programs exist that can help you be successful.  Find out what resources are available to you and can assist you with giving both you and your child the best possible foundation. Click here to access the PLAN service directory.

Adoption - giving birth and placing a child with a family that you have selected

Some woman/couples, who feel they are not yet ready to parent, decide to place their child with a family who is ready to parent by making an adoption plan. Adoption is hard but it also has the potential for so much joy. If you choose, your adoption can be an open adoption, meaning you can have a relationship with your child and the adoptive family. When you work with us on exploring adoption, you may have access to financial and medical help while you decide on your options. Our pregnancy counselors stick with you through it all and for a lifetime afterwards. Learn more about our pregnancy, pre-placement, and post-placement services.   

See profiles of families looking to adopt

If you are pregnant and would like to learn more about the help and options available to you, including making an adoption plan for your child, please call or text our 24/7 on call line 703-973-0129 to speak with one of our friendly counselors. 

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Abortion

If you are pregnant and believe abortion is your only option, please slow down. There are many medical, psychological, and emotional risks of this life-ending and life-altering procedure. Click here to learn more. Talk with a trusted friend or family member, or call us and speak with a pregnancy counselor. For a list of pregnancy resource centers, click here.

Spend some time reflecting on your options

Take some time to think through how you feel about each of these options.  Now, write each option down on the top of a piece of paper.

Unplanned pregnancy options

On each paper, consider the following:

  • How do you feel about this option? 
  • What are some good things that could come from this? 
  • What are some bad things that could come from this? 
  • Is anyone pressuring me to make this choice? 
  • Envision your life in 5 years if you make this choice, describe it. 
  • Is this option what is best for my child?  Is it best for me? 
  • What information do you need about this option? 
  • How confident are you in this option?

After you’ve spent some time reflecting on your thoughts and feelings regarding abortion, adoption and parenting, you will have a better sense of the option that you wish to pursue.  

 

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I’m proud of myself for choosing adoption for my son. I knew he needed more than I could give him at that time in my life and Catholic Charities helped me to evaluation my options and make a plan. Now, since I picked a family who wanted to have an open adoption with me, he has all the love of his birth family and his adoptive family- what a lucky kid!

Receive Guidance and Compassion Today

We are committed to providing a lifetime of support to birth parents. Don’t spend another day figuring this out by yourself. We promise to walk with you every step of the way. Click one of the profiles below to learn more about a staff member OR call or text us anytime 24/7 at (703) 973-0129