Sometimes life is really hard. Having a pregnancy at an unideal time in your life might seem like a situation you just want to undo.
But as the saying goes, some of the worst storms create the prettiest rainbows. Maybe this surprise pregnancy is going to take your story in a better direction than you ever dreamed.
But how? Which choice is going to propel you towards a happier tomorrow?
Things to Consider Before Getting an Abortion:
You Will Need to Travel
You will not be able to get an abortion in Alabama because it is illegal starting at the point of conception.
Even if you are considering the abortion pill, you cannot legally get a prescription for one from a doctor in Alabama. You will need to travel out of state for an exam that will ensure you are a candidate for the abortion pill, before you can get a prescription.
Though there are pills you can purchase on your own from a third party source, the FDA highly discourages doing so. These pills are not subject to regulations and may be contaminated with harmful bacteria, expired, or even fake.
Abortion Can Be Expensive
The abortion pill can cost between $500-800. A surgical abortion can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars–depending how far along your pregnancy is, and whether or not there are complications.
You will also need to factor in travel costs, and time off work. Additional costs will be incurred if you have a complication that requires transportation in an ambulance from the abortion clinic to a hospital, or need other emergency medical care.
Abortion Creates Health Risks
Both the abortion pill and surgical abortions carry the potential for life-altering complications.
Risks of the abortion pill include:
- A poor reaction with other medication you are taking. There are over 200 medications that should not be taken with the abortion pill.
- An incomplete abortion, where some of the pregnancy remains in the uterus. If left untreated this can cause a severe infection that can lead to pelvic or septic shock, and even death.
- Heavy bleeding, severe abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, and more.
Risks of a surgical abortion include:
- Injury to the uterine lining or cervix.
- A hole in the wall of the uterus (uterine perforation). This is rare.
- Infection. Bacteria can enter the uterus during the procedure and cause an infection.
- Moderate to severe bleeding (hemorrhage), which is sometimes caused by:
- Injury to the uterine lining or cervix.
- Perforation of the uterus.
- The uterus not contracting (atony).
- Uterine rupture. In rare cases, a uterine incision scar tears open when a medicine is used to induce contractions.
- Tissue remaining in the uterus (retained products of conception).
Other rare complications include:
- Tissue remaining in the uterus (retained products of conception).
- Blood clots.
Things To Consider Before Choosing Adoption:
You Will Receive Financial Aid
When you choose adoption, the adoption agency will financially come alongside you to make sure you have everything you need for your prenatal and postpartum care. According to American Adoptions, “These expenses are designed to supplement other income, and can help with items such as maternity clothing, medical bills, transportation to doctor’s visits, food, housing, etc.”
Your prenatal appointments, and labor and delivery costs will be completely covered, as well as any postpartum appointments you will need.
You Will Be Empowered
As a pregnant woman, you should never feel pressured into making any choices that go against your conscience.
When you choose adoption, you will be empowered to make every decision along the way–including who the adoptive parents are, and how much contact you will have with them or your child in the future. You will also get to choose who is in the delivery room with you, and when the baby will go home with the new family.
You get to write the details of your story when you choose adoption.
You Can Always Change Your Mind
Unlike abortion, there is no time limit on when you have to choose. You can think about it for as long as you want. You can choose in the first week or last week of pregnancy to place your baby for adoption. Or, if you have not yet signed any documents, you can change your mind and choose at the hospital that you want to keep your child. Legally you have to wait 72 hours after your baby is born to sign the papers and finalize your decision.
Your Unplanned Pregnancy Can leave a Legacy
Your pregnancy may not have been a wanted part of your story. But, it can leave a lasting impact on the world if you choose adoption.
Many couples who struggle with infertility would love to have the chance to raise your child. You might literally make their dreams come true by giving them the chance at parenthood. Perhaps your pregnancy came just at the right time for their life story.
And who knows how your child might grow up to impact the world. Some of the most influential people of recent generations were adopted, including Steve Jobs, Babe Ruth, Nelson Mandela, and Nancy Reagan.
We Are Here For You!
If you have more questions, or would like to confirm how far along your pregnancy is with a free ultrasound, please contact us today. We would love to help you on your pregnancy journey.