Nobody likes to feel pressured into a decision. When that decision is what to do with your unplanned pregnancy, the situation can be especially tense.
Unexpected and unwanted pregnancy can be emotionally challenging. Dealing with pressure from others to make a certain choice — even if it’s not the choice that seems right to you — can feel unbearable.
Does this describe your situation? We want to help. This guide is for anyone being pressured into an unplanned pregnancy decision. We’ll take a look at all of your unplanned pregnancy options, and explain how you can always make the choice that will be best for your future.
Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options
During this important time in your life, you deserve to make the choice that you know is right for you, not what someone else thinks will be best. Whether you are feeling forced to “give up a baby” for adoption or forced to keep an unwanted pregnancy, you may find it helpful to understand what your options are.
When it comes to dealing with an unexpected pregnancy, there are basically three options:
- Parenting
- Abortion
- Adoption
Parenting can be seriously challenging, but that doesn’t always mean it’s impossible. Conversely, carrying a pregnancy to term could be too much for your life right now, and abortion is a viable option for many women. Or, you could know that parenting isn’t possible and also feel that abortion isn’t right for you. In this situation, you may be interested in exploring the benefits of adoption.
Regardless of what you choose, it is ultimately your choice.
Common Situations for Women Experiencing Unplanned Pregnancy
Do you feel pressure to make a specific choice about your unplanned pregnancy? Whether it’s the father of the baby, your parents or others in your life, it’s all-too-common for people to try to make a woman’s choice for her.
If you feel pushed to make a choice, you’re not alone. Here are a few common situations for women experiencing unplanned pregnancy, and what you should know about your options in each.
If I Want to Choose Adoption, Can I Be Forced to Keep My Baby?
A woman experiencing unplanned pregnancy has a right to pursue whichever unplanned pregnancy option she feels will be best for her. Most people in your life who will have opinions on the matter — your parents, siblings and friends — do not have any actual legal authority over your child in most cases.
There may be instances where the people in your life oppose adoption and can create legal challenges for you, such as if the father of the baby does not want to give up his parental rights. If you are in a situation like this, you should speak with an adoption attorney right away. However, even in this context, forcing you to “keep” the baby is not within anyone’s rights.
Do I Have to Put My Baby Up for Adoption?
No, you do not have to put your baby up for adoption. When you’re a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you cannot be forced to “give up a baby” for adoption. You may feel that parenting or abortion would be better, depending on your situation. You have a right to pursue those options.
Unwed mothers being forced to “give a child up” for adoption is largely a thing of the past. Today, you have rights. Adoption agencies and attorneys will protect those rights. If you are feeling forced to keep an unwanted pregnancy and choose adoption, you should speak to an attorney.
What Can I Do if I’m Being Pressured to Put a Baby Up for Adoption?
The best thing you can do in this situation is to seek professional support. Being pressured to put a baby up for adoption can create a lot of emotional stress, and it can be challenging to know what to do. For legal support, go to an attorney who will advocate on your behalf and defend your rights to do what is best for you in response to the unplanned pregnancy. For emotional support, consider speaking to a counselor about the effect this situation has had on your mental health.
Do I Have to Get an Abortion if the Father Wants me To?
No, you never have to get an abortion because that is what the father of the baby wants. While abortion is a viable unplanned pregnancy option for many, it may not be right for you. Many birth fathers view abortion as the “easy way out,” but they don’t have to carry the physical or emotional effects of the procedure. The mother does.
As such, abortion is always totally, completely the choice of the mother. You cannot be forced into an abortion. If you feel pressured to get an abortion, you should speak with a counselor, attorney or adoption agency as soon as possible.
Making Your Unplanned Pregnancy Decision
It’s not a bad thing to take the opinions of people you care about into account. In some cases (such as the father of the baby), these people may have a legal say in the matter. However, at the end of the day, here’s the most important thing to know: This is your choice.
You are the one most immediately experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Your body has to carry the baby. If you want to become a parent, get an abortion or place your newborn for adoption, you can do so.
When considering your unplanned pregnancy options — parenting, abortion and adoption — it can be helpful to speak with a professional.
Contact Us Today
Would you like to be connected with a professional? Contact us today. We’d be happy to put you in touch with a knowledgeable and experienced adoption professional. This phone call is always free, and you’ll never be pressured to choose adoption.
