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What Do I Do?

The Bottom Line Options for an Unplanned Pregnancy

Your “bottom line” boils down to four options: adoption, marriage, single parenting, and abortion. There is no yellow brick road that will lead you to the perfect solution, but we can show you some ways to walk through your options that may make your decision a little easier.

The first question to ask yourself is:

Do I want to keep and raise a baby right now?

If not, you will want to contact an adoption agency to create an adoption plan for your child. You can call us at 1-866-OPT-MAGS for a free referral to a qualified adoption counselor in your area.

If you are going to keep your baby, you need to ask yourself:

Do I want to get married right now, or can me and my baby survive on our own?

If none of these choices are right for you then you should learn the facts about abortion. However, this is an extremely important decision that cannot be taken lightly. Make sure you receive the proper counseling and information before making any decision about your baby’s life.
If your decision was really this easy to make, there would be no need for Options Magazine, and people with unplanned pregnancies would never need counseling. But, as you have come to know, the issues involved are complex.
Each option comes packaged with its own set of challenges. If you decide to raise your child alone, you will need a strong circle of support in your family and friends. Marriage may not be an option if the birth father (or your partner) is unwilling to accept the responsibilities of parenthood. Adoption can be very emotional, but is an excellent choice when thinking about the care and welfare of your baby and its future. And abortion can result in grief depending on your feelings about this extremely difficult choice.

You will do yourself a favor by finding out as much as you can about each of your options before making a decision. Read through each of the following sections and gather from them what you can. Then formulate a plan for yourself and your baby. You may also want to give some thought to a second option as a back-up plan in case your first plan falls through.

Keep in mind, though, that nothing compares to a strong commitment.
Make a commitment to your chosen option, and stick to the option you choose; you will be glad you did.