Adoption means you will carry your pregnancy to term and choose an adoptive family for your child. Abortion means your pregnancy ends.
Which pregnancy decision you choose is entirely up to you, but learning all you can about each option will help you feel empowered to make the best choice.
Adoption and abortion are both parenting options that a woman might consider. This article will highlight the essentials you should know about adoption and abortion—and give you strategies for how to move forward.
Adoption
Adoption is giving an adoptive family the legal right to raise your child and is different than foster care. Although adoption can be a difficult choice, it will allow your child to have a future full of potential. Some parents may feel ashamed to choose adoption, but they are making a brave parenting decision.
With adoption, you have the option to choose the adoptive family and whether or not you want to have an ongoing relationship.
The adoption process is built on an adoption plan, which outlines the type of communication you want to have with the adoptive family and child. The three types of adoption plans include the following
- Open adoption allows direct communication between birth parents and adoptive families. This can include visits, phone calls, and sharing photos, creating a relationship that benefits the child, by maintaining connections with the birth parents and adoptive family.
- Semi-open adoption involves indirect communication through an agency or third party, with updates like photos or letters exchanged but no direct contact.
- Closed adoption means there is no contact between the birth parents and the adoptive family. All identifying information is kept confidential, and records are sealed.
Abortion
Abortion is the process of terminating your pregnancy and ending the life of your child. This is done by either taking abortion drugs or having a surgical abortion performed in a clinic.
Regardless of what you might hear in the media or online, it’s critical to be aware that abortion is a dangerous procedure. A woman should be aware of all possible physical and mental side effects which may result from an abortion procedure. While some women feel immediate relief, other women go on to experience adverse mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, etc.
This is why, before seeking an abortion, it’s important to learn about the risks to your physical and mental health.
How to Move Forward
Only you can decide which pregnancy decision is right for you. However, asking yourself the following questions can help:
- If outside factors weren’t an issue, what pregnancy decision would I choose and why?
- What worries me most about abortion? Adoption?
- What questions do I still have about these options?
You’re not alone. At Alpha Center, we understand what you’re going through, and we’re here for you. We can provide medically accurate information about your options and a safe space to ask questions.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential appointment.
All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.