Understanding Your Options & Making a Decision I'm Pregnant ... Now What?

You can decide to:

• carry your pregnancy to term and become a parent.
• continue the pregnancy and place the baby up for adoption.
• end the pregnancy by having an abortion.

Deciding which choice is right for you takes time, careful thought and support. Your decision may be based on a variety of reasons including:

• where you are in your life.
• your beliefs.
• what your needs are.

You may choose to talk about your options with your parents, relatives, friends, or a religious leader. If you want to talk to your parents but need help figuring out how to start the conversation, go to www.momdadimpregnant.com.

If you’re having a hard time finding someone to talk to, contact your local health clinic and make an appointment to talk with a trained “all options” counselor or medical provider. The counselor or provider can give you detailed, medically accurate information about all of your options as well as information about support services available to you. No matter who you turn to, remember that no one can force you to make a decision that you don’t want to, not even your parent or guardian!

Whether you choose to continue your pregnancy or get an abortion, it is important to get medical care as soon as possible.

Do some research before you make your appointment for counseling. Look out for “crisis pregnancy centers” that pretend to be all options clinics. Crisis pregnancy centers may be against abortions and may give you wrong information or pressure you into making a decision that you’re not comfortable with.

Beware of clinics that:

• force you to watch anti-abortion videos while you wait for your test results.
• surround you with anti-abortion materials.
• deny you the results of your pregnancy test when you say you want an abortion.

Things to expect from your all-options counselor or medical provider:

1. Information that is medically correct.
2. Confidential, non-judgmental counseling about all of your pregnancy options.
3. No guilt trips or pressure to choose or not choose a particular option.

If you have not decided which option is right for you:

Visit www.pregnancyoptions.info or www.yourbackline.org to explore your options.

Call Backline - 888.493.0092 or your local health clinic for pregnancy options counseling.

Talk to an adult you trust.

Deciding which option to choose is a big decision – but it is YOUR decision. No one can force you to carry a pregnancy to term, have an abortion or place your baby up for adoption. If you have questions call 877.44.BYPASS.