Pregnant and Homeless – How Adoption Can Help

Struggling with homelessness — whether you are currently without a home or on the brink of homelessness — is exhausting, stressful and overwhelming. The situation you are in is incredibly difficult. And if you are pregnant and homeless, life can begin to feel even more impossible.

We’ve created this guide for one simple reason: There is hope in your situation, and we want you to know how to find it. There are resources that can help you, and there are options for help for pregnant homeless moms. From medical resources to unplanned pregnancy options — like choosing adoption when you are pregnant and homeless.

Our goal is to provide all of the most important information and resources you need right here in this guide. But, you will probably still have questions and personal concerns when you finish reading. You can reach out to us at any time to be connected with a helpful professional.

Help for Pregnant Homeless Moms

If you’re searching for what to do if you’re homeless and pregnant, the first and most important step is to find medical care. You may know that you can’t parent the baby, and we’ll get to that in just a moment. But, first, it’s important to take care of your health.

Medical help for pregnant homeless moms can usually be found in a few places, depending on where you live. Clinics and shelters are a good place to start, as most prenatal pregnant homeless assistance comes from nonprofit organizations, often charities and churches.

If you ever feel that your health is at significant risk, you can also go to the nearest emergency room. Although you may fear bills from this — and that fear is valid — it is better to deal with the finances later and receive the care you need to keep yourself safe.

Pregnancy and Homelessness: Your Options

Once you have seen a doctor and received instructions to take care of yourself while pregnant and homeless, you can begin to think about your unplanned pregnancy options.

While being pregnant and homeless puts you in a uniquely vulnerable situation, you still have the same options as any other woman facing an unplanned pregnancy.

If you are asking, “I am pregnant and homeless. What can I do?” there are three possibilities:

Parenting: While the obstacles may appear insurmountable, we encourage any woman facing an unplanned pregnancy to take her time considering this option. Abortion and adoption are not reversible, so you need to be sure that you don’t want to parent this baby before choosing one of those options.

Abortion: This medical procedure can bring an end to your pregnancy, but getting an abortion may be difficult depending on where you live. Some states only have a few abortion-providing facilities, and many states have restrictive laws.

Adoption: For a pregnant homeless woman, adoption can be a way to receive the care you need during pregnancy and do what’s best for yourself and your child. This process provides necessary support, and it’s totally free to prospective birth mothers.

Here, we are going to specifically focus on how adoption can be a good response when you are wondering what to do when you’re pregnant and homeless.

Choosing Adoption When You Are Pregnant and Homeless

You may be worried that being pregnant and homeless would make the adoption process harder. While there may be some unique challenges, adoption is always an option when you are facing pregnancy and homelessness.

Every adoption process follows these big steps:

Step 1: Decide that adoption is right for you.
Step 2: Find an adoption agency and create an adoption plan.
Step 3: Pick an adoptive family for your baby.
Step 4: Prepare for the adoption placement.
Step 5: Complete the adoption placement after labor and delivery.
Step 6: Continue on with life after adoption, which can include open adoption.

Prospective birth mothers are eligible to receive adoption financial assistance and other support during the process. This is not the same as “getting paid” for adoption. Instead, your pregnancy-related living expenses can be taken care of during this process. For women who are homeless during pregnancy, or women who are pregnant and about to be homeless, this can include the cost of housing, or locating a safe housing option for you during pregnancy.

Adoption financial assistance also covers all the medical costs of pregnancy and any legal fees associated with the adoption process. If you are pregnant, homeless and need help, the adoption process could be worth looking into.

Find Pregnant Homeless Assistance

Where can a homeless pregnant person get help? We’ve already covered a few options. There may be even more resources available to you. Your ability to find help for pregnant and homeless people will depend on where you live and what organizations operate in your area.

In general, here are a few good places to start:

Adoption Agencies

If you are interested in adoption, you should reach out to a national adoption agency. Explain your situation and ask any questions you have about how adoption would work for you. Here are a few places to start:

Social Services

Are you located in an urban area? If so, the city probably has social services available to people who are dealing with pregnancy and homelessness. You could find those services with a quick Google search or by speaking to a public official, like a police officer, and asking for help.

Libraries

Your local library is also a community resource center. Something as simple as free, reliable internet access can be a valuable resource when you are pregnant and homeless. The library may also have educational opportunities and other classes that can prepare you to get back on your feet after pregnancy.

Food Kitchens

You can use this website to search for food pantries in your area. This resource from Feeding America is another way to find food assistance near you.

Shelters

Adoption financial assistance can usually provide housing help for pregnant homeless moms. If you have an immediate need for housing, you may want to look for local shelters. This directory is a good place to start your search.

Transportation

Transportation to doctor visits and other important appointments is key to taking care of yourself when you are pregnant and homeless. Using the local bus system is one way to secure transportation. However, that doesn’t always work. If you choose adoption, you can work with your adoption agency to find ways to secure transportation. To meet an immediate need, use the link above to reach out to a local shelter and ask about other transportation options.

Contact Us Today

We hope this guide gives you a sense of the kind of help that’s available when you are pregnant and homeless. If you are considering adoption, you can contact us today to be connected with an adoption agency. This connection is always free, and you are never obligated to choose adoption.