Unwanted Pregnancy — Understand Your Options

An unplanned pregnancy can leave you with a lot of questions. And it may seem like the answers you seek aren’t always easy to find. You may not feel that you are ready to become a mother. And you may not know if you have the strength to give birth to a child at this point in your life. 

If you are facing an unwanted pregnancy in Baton Rouge, you don’t have to do it alone. St. Elizabeth Foundation offers free counseling services to help you find the answers you are looking for. And, once you get a clearer understanding of your options, you can begin to make the decisions that will be best for you.

So Many Questions

We understand that many young women who become pregnant aren’t ready to be mothers. And, when it comes to an unwanted pregnancy in Baton Rouge, there are typically three options: adoption, abortion, and parenting anyway. None of these choices are easy for a young woman to make, and each comes with its own consequences.

To find the choice that will make the most sense in your life, it’s important to first ask yourself some critical questions.

Adoption

  • If I carry my pregnancy to term, will I be able to part with my child?
  • What kind of support can an adoption agency provide to help me through my pregnancy?
  • If I place my child with another family, will I be able to see them again?
  • Will I be able to choose my child’s family?
  • If my child is adopted, can I continue to receive emotional support from the adoption agency after giving birth?

Abortion

  • How will I feel after I have terminated my pregnancy?
  • Could I regret this decision later in life?
  • At this point in my pregnancy, would an abortion be legal in my state?
  • Do I have religious or spiritual beliefs that would make me question this decision?

Parenting*

  • Can I afford to parent a child?
  • What happens to children who live much of their lives in the foster care system?
  • What does it mean when my child becomes a ward of the state?
  • Will I have any control or options if my child is taken by the state into foster care?
  • Am I ready to be a parent? How could it affect the child negatively if I am not ready?

*Are you feeling overwhelmed with a baby or young child and don’t think you can make it work? Consider calling St. Elizabeth or using a safe haven site.

At St. Elizabeth, our kind and compassionate counselors are ready to help you explore each of these questions. They have worked with many young women who have been in your position, giving them the facts and support they needed to make informed decisions. 

And, if you choose adoption through St. Elizabeth, your counselor can give you a step-by-step explanation of what to expect during and after your pregnancy. Because St. Elizabeth doesn’t just provide assistance through your pregnancy: we also offer you emotional support after your child’s birth for as long as you need it.

Unwanted Pregnancy in Baton Rouge? You Have Options

If you’ve recently learned that you are pregnant, it’s important to have a firm understanding of your options before deciding what to do next. Our counselors want to help you find the choice that’s best for you, whatever it may be. 
To speak with a counselor about your pregnancy, give us a call at 225-769-8888 or contact us online for a judgment-free conversation. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. We’re here for you.

Searching for an Adoption Agency Near You? Let Us Help

Young women who have recently learned they are pregnant often face a lot of fear and uncertainty. An unplanned pregnancy might make you feel scared and alone. But knowing your options can help you feel in control of your life again.

We understand the struggle you are going through, and we’re here to help you through it. Find out how St. Elizabeth Foundation can give you the information and support you need to help you feel empowered and feel in control again.

Understanding Your Options

You may not feel like it right now, but you’re stronger than you think. That’s why St. Elizabeth is dedicated to supporting you from the beginning. When you contact us, we will connect you with a kind and experienced counselor. This pressure-free meeting will help you understand your options and get your questions answered. 

Knowing what you can do is the first step to taking control of your life. And once you understand what you can do, you can decide which choice makes the most sense. Our counselors are ready to support you through this process, one step at a time.

Searching for an Adoption Agency Near You? We’re Here to Help

Meeting with a St. Elizabeth counselor gives you a chance to learn which choice will make the most sense in your life. And, if you decide that an adoption plan is right for you, we will hold your hand through each step of the process. And this includes choosing a family for your baby.

We will find the best candidates to provide your baby with a loving home, and you will get to select your baby’s family. This means that you will choose the parents who care for your baby. You are in charge of this process. And we will give you the information and assistance you need to help you throughout.

Supporting You Through It All

An unplanned pregnancy can bring challenges. But when it comes to living, medical, legal, and counseling costs, you don’t have to face them alone. We provide pregnancy assistance to reduce your stress and help you get relief. This assistance can give you the safety and security you need when you need it most.

We understand what a big decision it can be to choose an adoption plan. But if you make that choice, we will be there for you through the entire process, including after your child is born. St. Elizabeth Foundation provides post-placement counseling. This gives you emotional support after your baby’s adoption.

Reach Out to Us

An unplanned pregnancy can make you feel scared and powerless. But learning about the options available to you can make all the difference. Choosing adoption gives you the power to bring love into the world and find a nurturing home for your baby. And if it’s what you decide you want to do, St. Elizabeth Foundation is dedicated to supporting you through it.

The choice is yours, and you should have all the information you need to make the best decision for you. If you’re looking for an adoption agency near you, call us at 225-769-8888 or visit our contact page to get in touch with a St. Elizabeth counselor. Your conversation will be confidential and judgment-free.

Unplanned Pregnancy – What to do Next?

A hundred thoughts and emotions can threaten to overwhelm a woman when she finds out she’s pregnant. Multiply that by a thousand if the pregnancy is unplanned. When you’re not expecting to have a child yet, what should be a beautiful, joyous thing suddenly becomes terrifying. There are so many worries flying through your head that you can’t keep up. How can I raise a child? Will I have to do it on my own? Does this put my future on hold? Can I afford it? What will my friends and family think? What do I do?

First off, take a deep breath. 

It’s going to be okay. We know this is an overwhelming experience, so even though it might sound silly and obvious, it’s important to remember to breathe. Calming, deep breaths can center your mind and help you focus on one thing at a time. Because you do have options, and looking at each option with a clear head can help you understand which is the best path for your future, and the future of your unborn child. 

Second, look at your options. 

When dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, there’s nothing more important than fully understanding the positives and negatives of each of the following options. You can do so by asking yourself questions and then seeking the advice of a professional. 

  1. Parenting 
    • Am I ready to raise a child? 
    • Do I have the finances to support the child? 
    • Will my child have a father figure in his or her life?
    • Who can help me raise the child?
  2. Abortion
    • What are the health risks of an abortion? 
    • What will my friends and family think of this decision? 
    • Is it really the best solution? 
    • How much does it cost?
    • Will I regret this decision?
  3. Adoption
    • What’s the process of adoption? 
    • Will I get to see my child after they are adopted? Can I be involved in their life? 
    • Does it cost anything? 
    • What will my child think of me?
    • Do I want another family to raise my child? 

Some of these questions only you can answer. However, many of them can and should be answered by a healthcare or adoption professional. 

Third, talk to doctors, counselors, and professionals.

Go to your doctor, a clinic, a therapist–anyone who either has the knowledge to help you through this experience. They can properly walk you through each question and decision you have to make by providing you with information about each option. 

If you’re looking at adoption as a possible path, there are many adoption agencies out there, like St. Elizabeth Foundation, that will guide you through the process of adoption with a warm and welcoming hand. Our priority is to your unborn child, and to you. To find the best home they could possibly ask for, with the best chance for a bright future. Learn more about what to expect here. 

Finally, come to terms with your decision. 

It can be a struggle to come to terms with your decision. No matter what, you might always wish that things would’ve been different. But time heals many wounds, and knowing that you’ve done what’s best for you and your child is the comfort you need.