Choosing adoption for your unexpected pregnancy is a courageous and selfless decision. But sharing the news with your family may scare and overwhelm you.
Below are some simple steps to help you prepare for a conversation with your family and where you can get help finding more resources and tips.
Be Understanding
Remember that your family will likely feel just as overwhelmed and scared as you did when you first learned about your pregnancy and were trying to consider all your options. Give them the space and freedom to communicate those feelings.
Share the Facts
One way to show your family that you are serious and have considered all your options is to take the time to walk them through the facts about abortion and adoption.
If you are concerned about the health risks of both medical and surgical abortion and its impact on your health and future, then you should take the time to walk through those with your family.
The Mayo Clinic states that risks of medical abortion 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
Risks of surgical abortion include:
- Perforation of the uterus
- This occurs when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus.
- Damage to the cervix
- Scar tissue on the uterine wall
- Infection
There are also known risks to your mental health, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
It’s also important for your family to know that adoption is not the same as it was when they were younger.
Adoption laws have improved significantly in recent years, and these changes empower you to choose between the three main types of adoption:
- Open adoption: You can choose the family whom you want to adopt your baby and decide if you want to keep in contact with them. You can also choose how involved you want to be in the baby’s life.
- Semi-open adoption: You can still have contact with the family and baby, but a professional agency will help manage communication and keep your identifying information confidential.
- Closed adoption: You won’t have contact with the baby, and the identities of all parties are kept confidential. The court keeps adoption records sealed.
Explain to your family that you can choose the type of adoption you want and how involved you want to be in your child’s life.
It’s Your Decision
Understanding their concerns and fears while sharing the facts about abortion and adoption is a powerful way to communicate to your loved ones that you have taken your decision seriously.
Remember, your health and future are on the line, so you have the final say in the decision.
Where to Go for Help
If you are scared and unsure how to talk to your family about your adoption choice, Chester County Connect Care is here.
Our trained staff can answer your questions, provide valuable information about adoption, and tips for how to start a conversation with your family about your pregnancy and adoption.
Contact us today to schedule your free appointment, and let us help you be empowered to choose adoption.