1. What if I think a crime has been committed?

If you have been sexually assaulted, contact the police. If you are a victim of incest, contact the police. If you are a minor and you became pregnant through your “boyfriend” who is an adult, that may be a crime. Contacting the police or Child Protective Services can be scary, so if you are a teen, go to your school nurse or a trusted teacher or coach. You should not have to live in fear. Let the authorities decide whether a crime has been committed. For more information, click here.

2. What if I am threatened with homelessness and have nowhere to go?

If you fear you will be homeless because someone found out you are pregnant, there are places to go. A maternity home is a place where pregnant moms can go to get the help you need. At a maternity home, you will be amongst others who are going through the same situation and where you can get support during your pregnancy and afterward also. You can get child care, parenting education, supplies for your baby, transportation to/from doctor’s appointments and best of all, free room and board until you get things sorted out. For more information on homelessness and maternity homes, check here.

3. What if I am pregnant and addicted to drugs or alcohol?

If you are carrying a little one and are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you face the risk having the child removed from your custody once you give birth at the hospital. The child may be placed with Child Protective Services and you have may have a drawn-out legal battle to regain custody. But worse than that, you face risking the health of your baby. The substances you are putting into your body make its way down to the child. When you take a drink, so does your child. Your child could be at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Drug Syndrome, both of which are irreversible. Get help before its too late. If not for your sake, for the baby’s sake.

If someone tells you there is only one solution to “take care” of your crisis pregnancy, you might want to consider going to someone else. Whether it is family, friends, the faith community or the community at large, there are many, many places to get help and advice. Don’t isolate yourself! The more advice you receive from trusted adults the more you will be able to make an educated decision, be it parenting or making an adoption plan. Remember you are not only seeking help for you but also for your baby. Knowing how to get help for a crisis pregnancy can help you and your baby.

Are you considering placing a child for adoption? Not sure what to do next? First, know that you are not alone. Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98 to speak to one of our Options Counselors to get compassionate, nonjudgmental support. We are here to assist you in any way we can.

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1. Closed adoption

One question to ask yourself when in a crisis pregnancy is: do I want complete anonymity? If so, a closed adoption may be an appropriate solution. A closed adoption is when a thoughtful birth mom places her child for adoption. With the assistance of an attorney and a reputable adoption agency, the birth mom relinquishes her parental rights. In a closed adoption, the birth mom reserves the right to hold back any of her own personal information to the adoptive family. The benefit to the birth mom is that she protects her confidentiality. However, this can be a barrier to the child should he need medical history in the future. Or if he wants information on the circumstances of his adoption. Or if he simply wants to develop a relationship, at a later date. But if you cannot raise your own child, a closed adoption may be a good option.

2. Open Adoption

Another question to ask yourself is: Can I make a Life Plan for my child? A life plan is when a woman considering placing her child in a loving adoptive home becomes actively involved in the process. The woman participates in what type family the child will be placed in. And in some cases, she can opt for an open adoption where there will be limited contact between mom and child. With the assistance of attorneys, the woman making an adoption plan and the adoptive parents form an adoption contract which includes the details of contact and visit.

3. Kinship Adoption

A third question to ask yourself is: Are there close relatives or extended family that can raise my child? There may be someone in your family that has been yearning to adopt a child but have been unable to for one reason or another. What started out as a crisis in your life could end up being a blessing all the way around. The advantage here is that the child stays in the family, perhaps in a home that he is already familiar with.

Is adoption the solution to your crisis pregnancy? Only you can decide. Perhaps you can raise the child on your own like so many other women with crisis pregnancies have done before you. But if you do choose adoption, know that you are solving a crisis, not only for you but for adoptive parents, who may be facing infertility and of course the child. A crisis pregnancy doesn’t have to be a crisis.

Are you considering placing a child for adoption? Do you want more choices with your adoption plan? Do you want to regain more control in your life? Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98. We can help you put together an adoption plan that best meets your needs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CRISIS PREGNANCIES, CLICK HERE.

The post How To Know If Adoption Is The Solution To Your Crisis Pregnancy appeared first on Crisis Pregnancy | Center, Outreach, Unplanned Pregnancy.

1) Pregnancy Resource Centers

A Pregnancy Resource Center, also known as a Crisis Pregnancy Center, focuses on the pregnant woman as well as their preborn baby. Some of their services may include:  free pregnancy tests, parenting classes, prenatal development classes, counseling, free STD-testing, life coaching and free supplies such as diapers, baby wipes, etc. These centers give you full information on what to expect in labor and delivery and beyond. These centers respect you as a person and will be there for you regardless of what you decide to do. They may even provide post-abortion counseling if needed. These centers have programs for Dads as well if he is still involved. Some centers may even provide free ultrasounds so you can see you’re your baby. All of these centers perform these services free of charge. Click here for more information.

2) WIC

WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) is a free, federal program that serves women and their children, ages 0-5. This program focuses on health and wellness. It provides vouchers for cereal, dairy products, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. It also provides formula for infants.  This is meant to supplement normal groceries, not to replace them. WIC also has a prenatal program that will help you while you are pregnant with things like prenatal vitamins, free check-ups, etc.

3)    HEAD START

Head Start is another free, federal program that promotes health and education for mom and child. It has traditionally served children ages 3-5, but of late it has served children 0-5 and pregnant moms as well. This program is helpful especially to teen moms and to first-time moms. In some states, Head Start has a home-based program, where representatives can tailor personalized services.

The worst thing you could do in a crisis pregnancy is nothing. Remember, you are not only seeking help for yourself but for your baby as well. There is support out there, whether privately or publicly. Get a trusted friend or family member to help you track down these resources. The three I’ve mentioned are just a start. Do your homework and know that you are not alone.

Are you considering placing a child for adoption? Not sure what to do next? First, know that you are not alone. Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98 to speak to one of our Options Counselors to get compassionate, nonjudgmental support. We are here to assist you in any way we can.

The post Pregnancy Support For Crisis Pregnancy appeared first on Crisis Pregnancy | Center, Outreach, Unplanned Pregnancy.

Here are some abortion alternatives when it comes to a crisis pregnancy.

It would be an understatement to say that it can be a scary situation when a woman discovers she has a crisis pregnancy. Perhaps the father of her child is someone she doesn’t love. Or perhaps, she loves the birth father but he decides not to stay and help her raise the child. Or perhaps she feels that she cannot raise a child and pursue a career at the same time. Whatever the case, the feelings of aloneness and abandonment can be overwhelming in a crisis pregnancy. Choosing what to do next can be an excruciating decision. But rest assured, abortion is not the only choice a woman has. There is hope. There are other viable abortion alternatives:

1) The Adoption Option

Adoption is a beautiful option. Adoption is a legal measure which transfers parental rights from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. In some cases, a pregnant mom may be able to have significant input into which family she will place her child. For other cases, a pregnant mom may be able to have an open adoption, which allows the birth mom to have limited contact with their child, even after parental rights have been severed. In any event, you have the opportunity to create a life plan for your child. Better yet, by placing your child for adoption, you bless another family with your child. There are about one million prospective adoptive parents who would love to have the opportunity to adopt a child. Your child is no mistake. Your pregnancy may be unwanted, but, rest assured, your child is not. Consider adoption. (Seek legal advice should you choose this route). You can also visit Adoption.com/unplanned-pregnancy for more help with your unplanned pregnancy.

2) Guardianship

If a pregnant woman is unable or willing to raise the child properly on her own, guardianship may be another alternative to abortion. Guardianship is a legal measure, approved by the courts, where a parent turns over custody to another responsible adult who will care for that child. A guardian has the power to decide health matters, educational matters, and personal matters for that child.

Guardianship may be temporary or permanent. Temporary guardianship may be granted if parental rights have not been involuntarily severed. With temporary guardianship, the birth mom still retains parental rights, still has visitation rights, and may petition the courts to end guardianship should she feel that she is now in the position to raise the child. Permanent guardianship may be granted to another person if it is proven that abuse, neglect, or abandonment has occurred by the bio mom. For more information, click here.

(Seek legal advice should you choose this route.)

3) Keep your child. Raise your child. With help.

If a young lady chooses to keep her child, she is in good company. About 80% of women who are faced with a crisis pregnancy decide to keep the baby and raise that child herself. But she doesn’t need to do it alone. Even if the father leaves, you’d be surprised at how many people come forward with assistance. The young lady does not need to do it alone; help from extended family, the faith community, or the general community at large is there to help. People are ready, willing and able to help, unconditionally and without judgment. You may also be interested in these resources should you be interested in parenting your child.

4) Safe Haven Programs

This is a very controversial option. And I would not suggest this unless you have absolutely no other choice. This is where a mom leaves a newborn at a certified, designated Safe Haven location where they take care of your baby. You can do this anonymously, without threat of prosecution for abandonment. See below.

“A distressed parent who is unable or unwilling to care for their infant can give up custody of their baby, no questions asked. They must simply bring the infant to a safe haven location and make sure they locate a person to give the child. As long as the child shows no signs of intentional abuse, no name or other information is required. The specific locations and maximum age of the child varies from state to state. You can find the details of for your location by using our Safehaven Finder. It’s safe. It’s anonymous. You do not need to tell anyone.”

Being aware of multiple options empowers women. Culture and society have told us that there is only one choice: abortion! This is not true. There are many, many alternatives when facing a crisis pregnancy. Choose the alternative that is best for your baby. This is true freedom of choice.

Are you considering placing a child for adoption? Do you want more choices with your adoption plan? Do you want to regain more control in your life? Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98. We can help you put together an adoption plan that best meets your needs.

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