Abortion and adoption are your two pregnancy options if you’ve decided that parenting isn’t possible for you right now.
Read on to learn more about the essentials you need to know about each option before choosing. Or, if you want to talk to someone in person about your pregnancy options and learn about free resources, contact Elevate Pregnancy and Family Resource Center to schedule a free, private appointment.
What Happens During Abortion?
There are two main types of abortion: medical (also known as the “abortion pill”) and surgical. However, both types of abortion terminate your pregnancy and remove it from the uterus.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortion involves taking two powerful drugs. After taking these drugs at home, you will experience vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping.
The abortion drugs are only FDA-approved if your pregnancy is ten weeks gestation or under. If you take the drugs and your pregnancy is further along, or if you meet criteria that make you ineligible, you’re more likely to experience a risk, which include:
- Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
- An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
- Heavy and prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Fever
- Digestive system discomfort
Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is done in a clinical setting and involves dilating the cervix so that medical instruments can enter the uterus to terminate and remove the pregnancy.
The risks of surgical abortion include:
- Uterine perforation or scarring
- Cervical damage
- Infection
How Does Adoption Work?
Adoption is a choice that’s full of options, and it costs you nothing to place your child for adoption (and in many cases, you can receive compensation for pregnancy-related costs). During the adoption process, you will work closely with an agency to create an adoption plan outlining your goals and desires.
There are three main types of adoption plans that are customizable to your situation and include:
- Open adoption: This type of adoption plan allows you to communicate openly with the adoptive family and child, depending on your preferences.
- Semi-open adoption: This plan is similar to open adoption, but all communication is mediated by a third party, like the adoption agency.
- Closed adoption. This is the most restrictive plan. You and the adoptive family remain anonymous and have no communication.
How Can I Choose Between Abortion or Adoption?
Adoption and abortion lead to very different outcomes for your pregnancy: Adoption gives your pregnancy a future, while abortion ends your pregnancy.
If you’re trying to decide which choice is right for you, it can help to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I know all I can about each option?
- What questions do I still have?
- How might I feel if I choose abortion?
- How might I feel if I choose adoption?
You’re Not Alone
Making a decision for your pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. At Elevate Pregnancy and Family Resource Center, we’re here for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free, private appointment. Along with free resources, we provide a caring space for you to ask questions and find information.