|
| Make Your Choice |  When a women finds out she is pregnant, her life will never be the same again no matter what decision she takes and what choice she makes. Pregnant woman stands on the crossroad and she has to take the most important decision in her life. Firstly, you should take some time to let the primary shock settle. You have to make sure about your pregnancy, for this you will have to have an ultrasound and meet with a counselor to discuss your situation. You can also call a pregnancy specialist or confidential local services. It is also a good idea to write down your thoughts, feelings, and fears about each option in your diary. Try to get in touch with your values, beliefs, and circumstances. Don’t hurry up in making of your decision because you will never forget this pivotal, life-changing experience, you will want to consider every possibility.
Choice to be a Parent
Being a parent is often described as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of life. It is a real miracle to observe this little life grow inside you and develop into a person with a unique personality, interests and talents. Besides love, the most essential need in parenting is support.
Give the answers to the following questions:
- If you are single, is marrying the father of your baby a possibility?
- Could the father give any type of support to the baby? For example, financial support, role model, or childcare.
- In what way my family can help?
- Could I live with family or another single mother?
- In what way I could share responsibilities with those I live with?
- Could I live on my own with my baby?
- What can I do to reach my goals to make a better life for me and my child?
- Would I think over applying for WIC, Medicaid and other government programs?
- Have I called the Helpline to find resources in my area that can provide parenting support and supplies?
Choice to Place for Adoption
There are many adoption plans you can choose, everything from closed to very open adoptions. Get as much information on adoption as possible to make an informed decision.
Read following things that adoption can include:
- You have a right to choose the adoptive family and many details of your child's future.
- You can decide what you would like your relationship to be with your child and the adoptive family.
- Adoptive parents explain adoption to the child at each stage of development in order to become well-adjusted, successful individuals.
- At any stage of the process you may decide to parent.
- Counseling, support groups and other services enable each person involved to work through the grieving process, issues of loss and challenges along the way.
Choice to Have an Abortion
Though no decision will be easy and each comes with different challenges, obtain as much information on the types of abortion procedures and their risks and side effects will help you make an informed decision.
Give the answers to the following questions:
- Am I informed of all the procedures and side effects?
- Have I been tested for STD's?
- Do I know my state's laws?
- Is anyone pressuring me to have an abortion?
- Have I talked with someone who has been through an abortion to discuss their experience?
- How have I thought about abortion in the past?
- Have I called a reproductive educator to discuss my options and find local services that can help?
|
|
