“Am I ready to be a parent? What are my options for pregnancy if I’m facing an unintended pregnancy in Missouri?” These are a few of the questions a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy in Missouri might ask herself when facing the reality of her situation.

So, what are your options if you are pregnant in Missouri? They are to parent, choose abortion, or choose adoption. These options are generally outlined below, including a few Missouri state laws on abortion. No matter what the decision is of the woman facing an unexpected pregnancy, there are support resources available for healing.

What are My Options if I’m Pregnant in Missouri?

In Missouri, a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy has three options: parenting, abortion, or adoption. Some questions that a woman might have include:

• What are my options if I’m pregnant in Missouri?
• How do I know if adoption is right for me?
• What is more expensive, pregnancy or adoption?
• What are options for dealing with unplanned pregnancies in MO?
• Should I keep my baby or give up for adoption?
• Is abortion something that I could emotionally and spiritually handle?

Option 1: Parenting

Parenting is probably the hardest job there is, but also the most rewarding. It is important to consider many factors when thinking about parenting while facing an unexpected pregnancy in Missouri. Some of these factors include emotional, spiritual, mental, financial, and physical health of the woman facing an unplanned pregnancy in Missouri. If a woman is not ready to parent, there is nothing wrong with choosing another early pregnancy option. However, if she chooses to parent, there are support resources available to help her navigate through parenting a newborn.

A woman choosing to parent will need to determine delivery options for pregnancy and pick a doctor and hospital. There are local hospitals that can refer a doctor, or insurance can provide a referral as well.  There are local Missouri pregnancy centers that can help guide a woman facing this experience to the proper local resources. There are also government programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) that provide food and more. Please contact your local Department of Social Services in Missouri to find out what parenting resources may be available to you.

Option 2: Abortion

Abortion is a tough decision to make for any woman looking at alternative pregnancy options in Missouri. Once the decision has been made and followed through with, there is no going back. There are also state-specific laws to Missouri that restrict abortion, including that a parent must give consent for a minor to have an abortion. In Missouri, a woman considering abortion must participate in one-on-one counseling aimed at changing her mind before she can have the procedure. It is important to remember that when it comes to choosing abortion, there is no going back. There will still be a long journey in a healing process that will help a woman choosing abortion to cope with negative emotions she may experience.

Option 3: Adoption

How to decide whether to keep a baby in Missouri has a lot to do with the situation and maturity level of the woman facing the unintended pregnancy. Choosing adoption instead of keeping the baby is an option for any woman facing an unplanned pregnancy in Missouri. A woman considering adoption can contact American Adoptions 24/7 by calling (800)ADOPTION to get more general information regarding adoption and have an adoption specialist answer any of her questions.

Adoption vs keeping a baby can be a wonderful option with open adoption. In an open adoption, a birth mother can have the opportunity to have contact with her child during his or her life with their adoptive family. Adoption takes courage and strength, and while healing is required, life can become amazing in a whole new way.

Your Missouri unplanned pregnancy options are to parent, choose abortion or choose adoption. For more information about a woman’s options for unwanted pregnancy in MO, please fill out this contact form. The beauty of adoption is that while it is an option, it is not your only option. An adoption specialist can also talk you through other pregnancy options with no obligation to make an adoption plan. Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be scary, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t any options in Missouri.