Facing an unplanned pregnancy is not an easy situation to be in, especially as a 19-year-old. But, you are not alone. There are options available to you. For the most part, you have three unplanned teen pregnancy options to choose from: abortion, parenting and adoption. You know that you don’t want to receive an abortion, but you can’t decide between parenting and adoption. How do you choose?

We’re here to help you make that important decision. If you would like to get more free information now, then you can fill out our online contact form at any time. But, in the meantime, we have created this informative article that compares adoption vs. parenting when you are 19.

I’m 19 – Should I Keep My Baby? [Reasons to Choose Parenting]

As a 19-year-old, you are a legal adult. You have probably finished up high school and are about to enter your collegiate years. But, discovering an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager may leave you asking this question: “I’m 19 – Should I keep my baby or choose adoption?” There are reasons to choose each path, and they’re dependent on your situation.

We are here to help you out. Because of that, we’ll highlight certain aspects of both parenting and adoption so that you can form a solid idea of which option is right for your situation.

Cost of Parenting

You may have already guessed it, but parenting is costly. Raising a child from birth until they are 18 years old can cost more than $245,000. As a 19-year-old, you likely don’t have much financial independence right now. This means you would have to get a full-time job, which may not be a practical option depending on your circumstances.

Cost of Adoption

On the other hand, adoption is 100% free for prospective birth parents. When you place your baby up for adoption, you can receive something known as adoption financial assistance, which covers all your pregnancy- and adoption-related costs. The adoptive family may also be able to pay living expenses, which can cover:

• Maternity clothing
• Transportation to doctor’s appointments
• Rent and utilities
• Groceries
• And much more

Placing your baby up for adoption is a heroic act, so you should never have to fret over the finances. Through this financial assistance, you can dedicate all your attention to carrying a healthy pregnancy.

Time Commitment of Parenting

Raising a baby is a significant time commitment, to say the least. It’s a job that demands your attention 24/7, which means that you’ll have little time for other facets of your life. For instance, if you have any long-term goals or aspirations, you will likely need to postpone working toward them in the meantime. Parenting is a job, and you will need to treat it as such.

Time Commitment of Adoption

Although choosing to parent means you’d have to put your lifelong goals on hold, choosing adoption means you can keep chasing those dreams. Maybe you want to finish your college education. Or, perhaps you have some professional aspirations for later in life.

Whatever the case may be, adoption gives you the chance to do what you want with your life. A loving family of your choosing will be raising the baby, who you can stay in touch with while you chase your dreams. Through adoption, you can make them all possible.

Emotions of Parenting

Parenthood is far from simple. It’s a rewarding experience, but it comes with a set of both ups and downs that can make it an emotional rollercoaster. This means that the emotions of parenting can vary, and you’ll need to make sure that you are prepared for them.  It’s a job that involves plenty of sleepless nights and diaper changes, so be sure to take these things into account, as well.

Emotions of Adoption

Raising a baby isn’t easy, and neither is placing a baby up for adoption. It’s common for many prospective birth parents to go through complex feelings such as grief, doubt and loss. There are many emotions of adoption, and they are a normal part of the process.

Because they are so normal, the best adoption agencies offer some form of free, 24/7 counseling for prospective birth mothers. No one should have to navigate these complicated emotions alone, and that’s why help is always available whenever you may need it.

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If you are asking, “I’m 19; should I keep my baby or choose adoption,” then we are here to answer any questions for you. You can get more free information now by filling out our online contact form. We are more than happy to help you whenever you’re ready to reach out to us.