Is Abortion or Adoption Right for Me?

What you choose to do about your unplanned pregnancy is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. We’re glad you are asking about two of your options: abortion and adoption. Because we want you to make the best choice for your future, let’s look at both options closely.

Does Abortion Make It Easier?

Women often believe that having an abortion makes the “problem” just go away. An abortion ends a pregnancy, but as the Mayo Clinic states, “Having a medical abortion [the abortion pill method] is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences.”

One study found, for at least some women, that abortion can cause mental health issues. Those women deal with grief, shame, a sense of loss, and regret. If you struggle with anxiety or depression before the abortion, you have a higher chance of having mental health problems after.

There are two main types of abortion: medical and surgical. Both have various side effects and risks. Bleeding and cramping are part of all abortions, but that can vary depending on the procedure.

Consider some of the potential physical risks of a medical abortion (the abortion pill method): 

• You could experience an incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by a surgical procedure. “Incomplete” means the pregnancy ended, but the abortion pill drugs did not remove all of the pregnancy and tissue from the body.
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding is a possibility.
• You could get an infection when tissue remains in the body.

If you’re considering any abortion procedure, make sure you know what to expect, mentally and physically.

Is It Harder to Choose Adoption? 

Both abortion and adoption involve loss. With an abortion, however, the loss is permanent, but adoption provides the opportunity to build a relationship with your child as they grow. 

Choosing an adoption organization that offers thorough adoption counseling and support is essential. No reputable adoption coordinator will charge potential birth parents for their services. 

There are three main types of adoption plans: open, semi-open, and closed. You choose the plan that is best for you. Today, over 70% of adoptions are open or semi-open, allowing the birth mother (and father, if available) to choose the perfect adoptive couple who raises their child.

Adoption is a loving and selfless choice. It allows you to direct your child’s future and provide them with the life you want them to have. 

How Do I Decide?

No one should choose for you or force you to make one decision over another. This decision is entirely yours to make. The only way to know which option is best is to get as much information about both as possible. 

At Lamb of God Maternity Home, we provide the following services:

• A safe and peaceful home
• 24/7 wrap-around care
• Healthcare
• Spiritual direction
• Mentorship
• Career and vocational guidance
• Financial literacy
• Life skills
• Transportation
• Coordination with outside services and programs

Take your time to learn about your options. Stay with us while you decide. If you want more information, fill out our confidential online Contact Form. We are here for you.