If you have recently had a positive pregnancy test and are not sure what to do, you are likely feeling overwhelmed and scared about your future. For every woman in Michigan wondering what to do when you have an unplanned pregnancy, there is help and guidance. And there are unplanned pregnancy options for you, too.   

Your three unplanned pregnancy choices are:

• Adoption
• Parenting
• Abortion

If you are overwhelmed by this decision, remember that you are not alone. There is professional support available to you in Michigan at no cost to you. There are counselors equipped to guide you through your options and to help you determine the right path for you.

If you are ready to speak to an empathetic and informed expert, contact a professional today or call an unplanned pregnancy hotline. Additionally, this guide will help you to envision what each of the unplanned pregnancy options will look like for women in Michigan.

What is Adoption in Michigan?

Facing an unplanned pregnancy is a stressful place to find yourself, and, for some, adoption is the right path. Adoption is the decision to carry your pregnancy to term and  transfer your parental rights to adoptive parents of your choosing. For many women, open adoption offers them the opportunity to choose when or if they want to raise a child, but also maintain a relationship with their child.

Open adoption is encouraged by adoption professionals and it is widely understood as beneficial to birth mother, adoptee, and adoptive family.  When you choose to place your baby for adoption – whether it is open or not – you have the privilege of choosing the adoptive family. Agencies offer unplanned pregnancy help, assistance while developing your adoption plan, help to find families in Michigan who want to adopt, legal counsel, and much more.

Do I Get to Choose My Baby’s Adoptive Parents?

Yes. Putting your baby up for adoption is a generous and brave choice, and your voice and choice will be respected and honored throughout the adoption process.

Perhaps the most important choice to you will be selecting the perfect family for your child. This decision has huge implications and a great impact on the life of your child. The right agency will come alongside you and help you find the perfect family for your child.

Here is how it will work:

• You will collaborate with your adoption specialist to write an adoption plan that will describe your ideal family.
• Your adoption specialist will suggest a list of family profiles that match your needs.
• You will take time with them, contemplate your choices, and choose the perfect family for your child.
• You will decide what you would like your relationship with your baby’s adoptive parents to be like and begin interaction and conversation with them.
• Finally, you will continue your relationship with the adoptive parents that can continue through your child’s life.

Contact one of the following Michigan adoption agencies to start your adoption journey:

• American Adoptions
• Gladney Center for Adoption
• Beacon House Adoptions
• Hands Across the Water
• Heaven Sent Adoption Services
• Keane Center for Adoption
• Morning Star Adoption Center

How Do You “Give Up” a Baby for Adoption in Michigan?

While “giving up” a baby is a common way to refer to adoption, we want you to know that nothing about adoption is “giving up.” It is a decision that women make from a deep place of love. This option for unplanned pregnancy allows you to:

• Give your baby the life you wants for them,
• Fulfill the dreams of a hopeful adoptive family, and
• Selflessly continue a pregnancy for the sake of your child.

When you choose adoption, your adoption specialist will guide you through these 6 basic steps:

1. Decide that adoption is right for you. There is a lot to consider when facing an unplanned pregnancy in Michigan. But there are several benefits associated with this unplanned pregnancy option that could help you understand the beauty of this decision.
2. Develop an adoption plan. Another aspect of an agency’s unplanned pregnancy help in Michigan is the work that an adoption specialist will do on your behalf. The first step toward adoption will be to create an adoption plan with a professional. This will serve as a blueprint for your unique preferences during the adoption process.
3. Select the perfect family for your baby. Once you are given access to profiles of adoptive families that match the qualities you want, you will take time to review them and choose the perfect adoptive family for your child.
4. Start your relationship with the adoptive family. The first contact that you will have with your chosen family will probably be a mediated phone call with your adoption specialist. This is your chance to ask any questions you have. From here, you will begin this relationship in a way that you are comfortable.
5. Deliver your baby and sign adoption placement paperwork. When it is time to give birth to your baby, the health care workers, adoption professionals, and adoptive parents will follow the instructions that you set out in your hospital plan. After the birth of your child, you will sign final adoption paperwork, which indicates your voluntary and legal consent to the adoption.
6. Maintain a relationship with your child and their adoptive family. The nature of your relationship with your child’s adoptive family is up to you. Most modern adoptions are open or semi-open, but you can also choose a closed adoption.

Does Adoption Cost Money in Michigan?

When comparing your unplanned pregnancy options in Michigan, it is notable that adoption is the least expensive. In fact, it is free. There are no costs associated with adoption, and there is also adoption financial support available to women who choose to place a baby for adoption.

Licensed agencies will ensure that you are charged nothing and that your pregnancy-related needs are met. All services provided by the adoption agency will be free, and your legal and medical fees related to your pregnancy will be covered, too.

Additionally, you could qualify for support with:

• Rent and utilities
• Groceries
• Transportation
• Cell Phone and Data

Is Adoption Right for Me?

The unplanned pregnancy option of adoption is rewarding and can be a beautiful experience. While you are not alone in this decision, you are the only one who can determine whether it is the right choice for you.

Often, a good way to assess whether adoption is for you is to learn why other women have chosen this unplanned pregnancy choice. Some common reasons are:

• A woman cannot give their child the life they want to. Through no fault of their own, women often find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy in less-than-ideal parenting circumstances. Adoption offers them an opportunity to offer their child opportunities and experiences that they are unable to provide at the time.
• A woman is aware that there are couples who want to grow their families through adoption. There are countless hopeful adoptive families in Michigan, and the gift that birth mothers give is priceless and life-changing for these couples.
• A woman wants to have contact with their child. It is the widely-held opinion of adoption professionals that, in most cases, an open adoption is best for all parties. If you are interested in maintaining contact with your child and their adoptive parents, this might be the alternative pregnancy option that is right for you.

If you would like to enlist the help of an adoption professional as you deliberate on your decision, you can dial a Michigan unplanned pregnancy hotline to speak with a professional today.

What is Abortion in Michigan?

Every year, a wide cross-section of women in the United States access abortions. Abortion a procedure that results in the termination of an unwanted pregnancy.

The laws and accessibility of abortion vary from state to state, and of your unplanned pregnancy options in Michigan, abortion is the most controversial. Depending on your religious or moral beliefs regarding the procedure, it may or may not appeal to you.  

What Restrictions are on Abortion in Michigan?

If you decide that abortion is the best choice for you, remember that it is an early pregnancy option. In Michigan, you can access the procedure up to about 24 weeks of pregnancy. There are many ways that your access to abortion could be hindered, and it is advisable for you to familiarize yourself with the restrictions on Michigan abortion, which include:

• A patient must participate in state-approved counseling at least 24 hours before the procedure. The goal of this counseling is to discourage you from this alternate pregnancy option in Michigan.
• It is difficult to receive funding for abortion in Michigan, and it is rarely covered by insurance. Abortion costs vary greatly depending on your situation but can cost you between $300 and $1500.
• If a patient is a minor, they must have consent from their parents before an abortion is provided.
• About 87% of Michigan counties had no clinics that provided abortions. 

What Risks are Involved in Abortion?

Abortion is a common procedure and is considered safe. It has been used as an unwanted pregnancy option for the last 40 years, and while there are some side effects, it very rarely has long-lasting effects on a woman’s body, and in unusual cases, it can adversely affect your chance of becoming pregnant in the future. Some side effects to be aware of are:

• Cramps
• Spotting or bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficult emotions

Is Abortion Right for Me?

Again, abortion is the right choice for some women, but not all. Whether your support system opposes the choice or you have moral qualms with the procedure yourself, it is important that you consider all the potential consequences. If you are wondering, “Is this the unplanned pregnancy option that is right for me?” it might help to hear some common reasons other Michigan women choose abortion:

• They are not ready or do not want to ever experience pregnancy. Carrying a baby to term is no easy feat. It is hard on a woman’s body and can be disruptive to life. A woman has the right to choose if this is an experience they want to continue.
• They need privacy. Unfortunately, some women are in situations where they have concerns related to their safety that the revelation of an unplanned pregnancy could exacerbate. A woman has the right to choose to protect herself in these situations.
• They do not want to delay their education or career. Pregnancy can be an interruption that can flip a woman’s world upside down. A woman has the right to determine whether this is the right time for her to put her aspirations or job responsibilities on hold.

If abortion is not right for you, you can consider alternative pregnancy options in Michigan.

What is Parenting in Michigan?

Parenting, of course, is when a mother decides to carry her baby to term and raise her child herself. In this case, she retains her parental rights. For most women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy in Michigan, this is the ideal choice, and with a few reasonable adjustments, they can make this work. These women often have excellent support systems in place, the stability necessary to raise a baby, and possibly some additional social services to support them. This is not always the case for women facing an unplanned pregnancy.

What are the Challenges of Being a Single Parent in Michigan?

The decision to choose parenting for some women means that they will be raising a child as a single parent. This can obviously present some uniquely challenging obstacles that should be considered before choosing this option for unwanted pregnancy in Michigan.

Some challenges that single parents in Michigan have are:

• Covering household expenses with one income
• Finding a network of people to help you
• Covering costs associated with childcare
• Making sure that you are able to take care of yourself

Thankfully, there are many organizations that offer support to single parents. If you go forward with the unplanned pregnancy option of parenting, make sure you are aware of the following services:

• WIC
• Local Social Services
• Postpartum Support International

Is Parenting Right for Me?

Parenting is a big decision, and it is not one that you should feel pressured into. This is a decision that is yours to make. Remember that there are unplanned pregnancy resources available to you, and that you are not alone. There are experts who are eager to help you make this decision.

Parenting is a rewarding experience, and for some women in Michigan, it is the unplanned pregnancy option that makes the most sense.  Some circumstances that make this decision more likely are:

• A woman can support her family financially. Parenting is a more attractive unplanned pregnancy option when you have the financial means to provide for a baby. 
• A woman can offer her child a stable environment to grow up in. When a woman is in a situation where her relationships, career, and housing is stable, the decision to parent their child can be an easier one.
• A woman wants kids at some point in their life. Some women have dreams of having children of their own from an early age, so when they experience an unplanned pregnancy, is often easier for them to choose parenting.

Licensed professionals have your best interests in mind and can help you to make the right decision for you. These specialists offer the empathy and expertise that you need right now, and you can contact us today to get connected with a helpful professional.