Finding out you are pregnant when you’re only 17 years old can be an emotional whirlwind. Coping with an unplanned pregnancy isn’t easy, to say the least, and there are likely plenty of thoughts storming through your mind right now. That’s why we’re here to tell you that you have options for teen pregnancy, such as adoption.

You can fill out our online contact form at any time to get more free information now.But, we have also created this in-depth guide that explains everything that you need to know about choosing adoption for your baby when you’re 17 years old. With that being said, continue reading to learn about both the basics and the finer details of adoption for teen mothers.

Can You “Give Your Baby up” for Adoption If You Are 17? [Adoption Is an Option]

If you are pregnant and 17, “giving your baby up” for adoption is always an option. When it comes to unplanned pregnancy, you can either choose parenting, abortion or adoption, and it is up to you which one of these three unplanned pregnancy options is best for your situation.

Still, it’s worth talking about your adoption decision and teenage pregnancy with your parents and loved ones. Although this can be a difficult conversation to have, it can also be a healthy one. Your family can be a shoulder to lean on during these hard times, and you can explain to them why you’ve come to this conclusion and how they can be supportive.

Unfortunately, being pregnant at 17 is not easy, and you may be worried that your family will not understand. If you feel that telling your parents is not an option, then you can always get in touch with an understanding, trusted counselor. They can listen to all your concerns and answer any questions that you may have. You should never have to go through this alone.

I’m 17; Can I Put My Baby up for Adoption?

Even if you are pregnant at 17 years old, you can still choose adoption for your baby. Although you have two other unplanned pregnancy options, you may find that adoption has more benefits for birth parents than the other two paths. All three unplanned pregnancy options are valid in equal measure, so you ultimately need to decide what is best for you.

Still, there are aspects of each choice that you will need to take into consideration. For instance, you may need parental permission before you can receive an abortion in your state. Also, raising a baby may interfere with your schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

On the other hand, there are many benefits of adoption for prospective birth mothers that directly counteract those two disadvantages of abortion and parenthood. Because you are pregnant at 17, we’ll go into more detail about what some of these benefits are. We simply want to help you make the best decision for your situation, and showing you the advantages of adoption could help you make that choice.

You Are In Charge of Your Adoption Journey

You might be thinking, “I’m 17 and pregnant. What should I do?” Adoption is an option for you, and, as a prospective birth mother, you will be in 100% control of your adoption journey from the beginning to the end. Your adoption professional will sit down with you to create your adoption plan together, and this plan will account for all your needs and preferences throughout your journey.

If this sounds overwhelming to you, then that is understandable. Being in charge of so many decisions may sound stressful at first.

But, you are not alone. Your professional is here to do all the heavy lifting for you and set everything up. You get to make the choices, but you can trust your professional to take care of it all.

You Get to Choose the Right Family for Your Baby

One of the most significant benefits of adoption is that you get to choose the right adoptive family for your baby. You are pregnant at 17 years old, but this decision still rests in your hands. Even when you are only a teenager, you still get to find the adoptive family that is perfect for your child.

So, how does this process work? Similar to your adoption plan, you and your professional will sit down together. They’ll then show you various profiles of adoptive parents that match the preferences you outlined in your adoption plan.

You can look at as many profiles as you want, and you can take all the time you need to find the right family. Once you’ve found a profile that resonates with you, let your adoption professional know. They can take it from there.

You Can Stay in Touch with Your Child

Today, the vast majority of adoptions are open to some degree. This means that, long after the adoption is finished, you can keep in touch with both your child and the adoptive family. If you are 17 and “giving your baby up” for adoption, then this doesn’t have to be “goodbye” or “farewell.” Instead, it can be “see you later” or “talk to you tomorrow.”

On top of this, you get to choose how you stay in touch with them. For example, you can communicate with the adoptive parents and your newborn through:

• Phone calls
• FaceTime or Zoom
• Handwritten letters
• In-person visits
• Photographs
• Text messages
• Or whatever you feel comfortable with

Remember, as the prospective birth mother, you get to make the big decisions because you are always in control. This includes choosing how you stay in touch with your child and the adoptive family.

Still, it is ultimately up to you what type of adoption you’d like to pursue. For instance, maybe you’re more interested in semi-open adoption or even closed adoption. If that is the case, then that is entirely your call.

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So, can you “give your baby up” for adoption if you are 17? Yes, adoption is an option for you, even if you are only 17 years old. If you’d like to get free adoption information now, then you can contact us online at any time. We’d love to help you in any capacity we can.