Options for Your Unplanned, Unwanted, or Unexpected Pregnancy

By Jaclyn Prasa

It can be a shock to find out that you’re pregnant. Everything was fine yesterday, but now, today, you face this monumental decision. You may be stressed trying to decide what to do with your unexpected pregnancy. You may be uncertain. Torn feelings or relentless thoughts as you try to weigh your options. As you make this life-altering decision, you must consider the most important question: “What is the best option for me and my baby?” 

What are My Options for an Unplanned Pregnancy in Texas?

1. Parent Yourself

You can take on the responsibility of having and raising your child. This is an obvious first option. Talk over the pros and cons with a loving support system that may be able to help you decide if this is the best option for you. The benefit of raising your baby can be bountiful. It can give your life purpose. Expand your sense of selflessness by caring for another’s well-being entirely. It can teach you the expanse of a mother’s unconditional love. There is a healthy sense of fear that accompanies raising a child. You’re in charge of a tiny human. What you teach them matters and will affect who they are as a person in the world. But that can be incredibly rewarding. 

If you are not ready to parent, that could be for several reasons: 

• Suppose you’re not financially comfortable. Not being able to provide for your child can be stressful. Children are expensive. You may not currently be able to offer certain opportunities to your baby. 
• If your home is not stable. Maybe you wouldn’t want to raise a child in an unsafe environment. 
• If you’re young, you may not be ready to care entirely for another life when you’re learning to care for yourself. Raising a child is a full-time job. 

The reason why you may not want to parent is individual and valid. And so there are other options for you. 

2. Terminating Your pregnancy

As Roe vs. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, the voluntarily ending a pregnancy ruling is no longer considered a federal constitutional right. The ruling has authorized states to determine legality. In the state of Texas, terminating a pregnancy, in most cases, is illegal. Texas has some of the strictest laws in the country pertaining to abortion. In Texas, terminating a pregnancy at any stage is banned.

An exception can be made if pregnancy risks the birth mother’s life. It is legal to seek termination outside of the state. Though, it might be harder to schedule. Keep in mind other states’ laws as well as stages when termination is legally offered, mostly in the timeframe of the first 12 weeks. There can also be a range of emotional effects post-termination: depression, guilt, anxiety, and regret. If this is the option for you, it might be helpful to consider counseling afterward. This is also an immediate option. 

3. Choosing Adoption in Texas

If neither of the choices above has resonated with you, maybe adoption is the right option. An adoption in Houston or adoption at your local adoption agency in Texas is a lovely alternative. 

First, adoption is 100% free and confidential. No one outside of your adoption plan needs to know if you wish. Adoption will ensure that you physically will not be responsible for taking care of your child. You will be responsible for birthing your child into the world and choosing a loving family who will then care for your baby. 

How Local Adoption Agencies Can Help You

In the adoption process, you will have control. You will be able to choose the family as well as the level of openness. There are three options: closed, semi-open, or open adoption. Depending on your desire, you can choose to be involved in your child’s upbringing. Of course, without parental rights. After birth, you will sign a consent form to terminate your parental rights voluntarily. From that moment, your chosen adoptive family has been granted custody by you.

If you contact Adoption Choices of Texas, you will be assigned an adoption counselor. Together, you will develop an adoption plan. This consists of a few steps. First, it will be determined if you require financial support. If so, we can assist with rent, utility bills, groceries, or other pregnancy funds. We can offer safe housing to you if your home life is unstable. 

We provide medical assistance. Getting the proper prenatal care is important, so we have medical professionals on our team. They can assist you with questions or connect you with doctors for appointments. We also offer transportation to and from checkups. An adoption is still an option if you have not had prenatal care. In fact, you can choose to put your baby up for adoption at any stage of your pregnancy. 

We offer supportive counseling, which can be used throughout your pregnancy or even post-placement. The most important thing is that you feel supported since adoption can be emotionally challenging. 

Placing a Baby for Adoption with Adoption Choices of Texas

If you choose adoption in Houston, you will be giving your baby the opportunity to grow up in an adoring home. Adoption is a generous choice. We understand how hard it can be to give up your baby for adoption, and so you will have our endless support. As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!

Adoption Choices of Texas es la única agencia de adopción con servicios completamente en esapñol en el estado de Texas. Si está embarazada y necesita ayuda, llámenos o envíenos un mensaje de texto y uno de nuestros especialistas en adopción podrá ayudarlo. Podemos ayudarte con la adopcion de niños. Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de adopción como una mujer embarazada o una madre biológica, comuníquese con Adoption Choices of Texas. Para español llamar: 888-510-5029