Unplanned Pregnancy options

Unplanned pregnancies can happen to all sorts of women:

This information can help you to consider your choices and decide what you will do. You don’t have to make this difficult decision alone, advice and support is available from many organisations. Be aware that some organisations set up to help pregnant woman have very strong beliefs, which you may not share. Try finding out about the organisations before approaching them. Alternatively if you are not getting the sort of advice and support you want from an agency, don’t feel intimidated. Simply go elsewhere for help.

Are you really pregnant?

Find out whether you are pregnant for sure, before you begin worrying. A missed period is the most obvious sign, but doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant. Other symptoms are nausea and vomiting, sore breasts, needing to pass urine frequently and tiredness.

You should have a pregnancy test if you think you might be pregnant and your period is more than a week late.

The Choice is then yours ...

If you are pregnant you have three options:

• To continue the pregnancy and become a sole or Co-parent
• To continue the pregnancy and choose adoption.
• To terminate the pregnancy by choosing abortion.

Ignoring an unwanted pregnancy won't make it go away. Seek help as early as possible. There is no ideal solution to an unwanted pregnancy. You may not be happy with any of these options, but you need to choose the one that is best for you at this time. Only you know what you want out of life and which options you should take.

It may be helpful to talk to a close friend, your parents, and the partner in the pregnancy or a professional counsellor. Some things to consider when making your choice include:

• Think about your plans for the next few years; how will a baby change them? Perhaps you think a baby will make you "miss out" on life, or there maybe things you want to do before parenthood.
• What about pressure from other people? Is anyone trying to make you do what's best for them?
• Are you uncomfortable about the advice you are getting from anyone?
• Do you feel different about the options available now that you are pregnant?
• Think about what having a baby means. Could you afford it? Would your partner or parents be supportive? Could you cope with a dependant and demanding baby?

1. Continuing with the pregnancy and becoming a parent

This will mean alteration to life plans to allow you to spend time caring and providing for baby. You may have to interrupt your education or your work during pregnancy and/or afterwards. It is important not to underestimate the amount of time and energy involved in mothering. It is a 24hour a day commitment. Children take many years before they grow up to be independent.

If you decide to continue the pregnancy, there are many sources of help you can use during pregnancy and while raising the child.

You should begin regular antenatal or pregnancy care from your health care professional no later than 10 weeks after your last period.

2. Adoption

Adoption is a legal process whereby you permanently give up all parental rights towards the child, and the child is placed with approved adoptive parents, who become the legal parents of the child.

You and anyone else who is invoved can talk to:
A child care officer from your local office of the Department of Family Youth and Community Care.  A social worker at the hospital.

3. Abortion / Termination of pregnancy (TOP)

Whilst this is legal in certain circumstances the law does vary from State to State and can be open to interpretation.

Termination is most commonly performed in the 'first trimester', between six and fourteen weeks of pregnancy. After this time the procedure does become more complex, more expensive and does have a slightly higher complication rate . Since pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period, it is important to access medical assistance, as soon as possible, to ascertain your exact dates. Talk to your own doctor or, if you would feel more comfortable, contact us for a confidential consultation including an inexpensive, on the spot ultrasound. ( Phone FREECALL 1800 626 533)

It is also important to ensure that this is YOUR decision. This decision has to be yours and in your own best interests. Remember the clinic doctors are on your side and their actions also have to be in your best interests.  Other emotions such as guilt, fear, shame or a sense of loss are not uncommon and counselling is available to help. Most people however, experience an overwhelming sense of relief and a clear understanding that their decision was right for them given the timing and the circumstances involved.