I am pregnant – what are my options?

You do not know what to do? Perhaps the options below will help you in making the decision for which you do are running out of time.

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Unplanned pregnancy is surely a very complicated and difficult situation for every woman (as well as for her partner). The decision on what to do has to be fast and right, as only in this way you can leave all the options open. A fast and right decision is also important, because slow action may have psychological as well as physical consequences. It is also recommended that you talk to different people – perhaps the women who were in a similar situation, partners, doctors, counsellors, etc.

I am keeping the baby.

Upbringing of a child is not the easiest thing. You have to give up a number of things, provide financial means, and have a lot of patience. On the other hand, this small being brings so much happiness into your life, which you would not trade for anything in the world. Of course, only the people who already have a child can be smart about it. You can help yourself by first answering the questions below that may help you determine whether you are ready to face parenthood:

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• Are you ready to have a child and be responsible for him or her?
• What sort of a role will have the child’s father in your life?
• Can you provide for and maintain yourself and your child?
• Where will you live?
• What are your chances for support?
• What would parenthood mean for your education or career?
  
  

 

Adoption

Giving a child up for adoption is an extremely difficult decision for a pregnant woman as well as for her partner. If you have decided on adoption, a doctor can refer you to social services where you will be advised on how to proceed.

Counselling will be based on whether you are certain about your decision, and if you are aware that by adoption you loose your right to the child. Social services ensure that the child’s upbringing is such as you want, and they always put first the child’s health when searching for the appropriate family environment for the child.

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Before deciding on adoption, you may wait for the family that will suit you, or you can express your wishes/requests to social services, which will decided for you. After adoption is finished, your rights to the child are void. The child can contact his or her biological parents after the age of 18, although some people believe that contacting biological parents is good for the child and they therefore allow biological parents to see the child sooner.

Abortion

Before deciding on abortion, you have to be absolutely certain about your action. Irrespective of the situation you are in now, or your current crisis, you have to be aware of the long-term effect of abortion. You have to realise that there are psychological and physical consequences of abortion for women, and in the extreme case abortion may also cause the inability to have children later in life.

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The European Union states have different legal regulations as regards abortion. Some states only permit it in special circumstances, while others do not permit at all.



It is advisable to take councel about abortion at agynaecological clinic. Councelling is helpful for a pregnant woman as it familiarises her with the procedure and consequences of abortion. It also helps her decide on potential keeping of the baby, as well as understand the rights she gains as a mother and the importance of the child for her life.  We therefore recommend that, before making your decision, you perhaps listen to a councellor or a social services worker, who can help you decide on the basis of their extensive experience.

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