Right now, you may feel as if your life has come to a complete stop. You’re a transgender man with an unexpected pregnancy, and you don’t know what to do next.

We know that you may be feeling anxious, scared, and unsure of what your first step is. That’s where we can help.

In this guide, we’ve included detailed information you need to know about:

• Your unplanned pregnancy options
• How the adoption process works
• How to find an trans-affirming adoption agency
• And more

We believe in providing free, unbiased, and supportive information because we don’t want to sway you in one particular direction. Every situation is different, and only you can decide how you will move forward with your unplanned pregnancy.

You can keep reading below to learn more. You can also speak with one of our adoption specialists to get more information about what to do being transgender with an unintended pregnancy.

Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options

In case you didn’t already know, you have three options for an unplanned pregnancy:

• Adoption
• Parenting
• Abortion

But, what happens when you’re a trans person who accidentally got pregnant?

You can still choose any of these unplanned pregnancy options. To help you get a better idea of what each option involves, we’ve broken them down below.

Choosing Adoption

Can transgender people adopt? Yes, adoption is always an option, even for transgender people with unintended pregnancy.

You can work with trans-affirming adoption agencies that will give you the information you need to start your adoption journey. They’ll walk you through the adoption process from start to finish, offering support and resources every step of the way.

Choosing adoption is considered the best unplanned pregnancy option for many birth parents. This choice allows you to get to watch your child grow up in a safe and loving environment, while still focusing on you and your goals.

Many birth parents choose adoption because they know they’re giving another family the gift of becoming parents.

Although adoption has its own challenges, you may find that it’s the right unplanned pregnancy option for you.

Choosing Parenting

Am I ready to be a parent?

It’s OK if this is the question at the front of your thoughts after finding about your unplanned pregnancy. You aren’t the first person to ask this, and you certainly won’t be the last.

The answer? Well, that’s entirely up to you.

Even if you’re transgender with an unintended pregnancy, you may be like many other people who have considered parenthood to be a true gift.

But, don’t let that be your only question. As you contemplate your unplanned pregnancy options, there are a few things you should consider first:

• Do you want to be a parent at this time in your life?
• Do you have the means needed to support yourself and your child?
• Are you able to provide them the life you want for them?

Trans men can have unplanned pregnancies, choose to parent their child, and be great parents to their children. But, it’s about what you, and only you, feel completely ready and willing for.

Choosing Abortion

If I’m pregnant and transgender, is abortion an option for me?

It’s understandable if you have questions about being pregnant and transgender abortion. It can be very difficult to find medical care, and you may be scared about where to go.

The best thing you can do first is reach out to a safe medical provider if you think you may be pregnant.

If there is a doctor you trust, go to them to talk about prenatal care. They can also provide more information on what your next steps should be, depending on where you are at in your pregnancy.

Abortion laws vary state by state and are constantly subject to change. Unfortunately, in many states, it’s becoming harder to find medical providers who will provide an abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Even more so, almost all states ban abortion once you reach 25 weeks.

If you think abortion is the best option for your unplanned pregnancy, we encourage you to reach out to a medical provider as soon as you can.

How Does the Process Work for Transgender Adoption?

For transgender people with an unintended pregnancy, the adoption process is similar in many ways to any other adoption. Essentially, there are five main steps and this is how they typically look:

Step 1: Find an Agency.

If you’re considering adoption, the first place to start in the process is to reach out to a trans-affirming adoption agency. You can be connected to an adoption specialist, who will help you create your own adoption plan.

Step 2: Choose Adoptive Parents.

Part of your adoption plan includes finding the best adoptive family for your child. Depending on what type of adoption agency you work with will affect the number of hopeful parents you have to choose from.

For example, many transgender people with an unintended pregnancy feel more comfortable choosing a LGBT couple to be the adoptive parents. When you work with a larger agency, they will have more prospective LGBT parents for you to consider.

Step 3: Get to Know the Adoptive Family.

After you’ve found a family for your child, you have the option of meeting them before the birth. You can talk with your adoption specialist on what you feel most comfortable with for communicating with them. All of this is completely up to you.

Step 4: Prepare for the Hospital.

Another part of your transgender adoption plan is creating your hospital plan, which includes decisions on who you want with you at the hospital, what hospital you want to deliver at, and more.

As the prospective birth parent, all of your medical expenses are covered for you. Since you don’t have to worry about finances during this difficult time, you can spend more time focusing on your health and having a healthy pregnancy.

Step 5: Continue an Adoption Relationship.

To help them heal from and process the adoption and finalization, many birth parents find continuing a relationship with the adoptive family and their baby to be helpful. You can do this through phone calls, emails, pictures, and even in-person visits. Do this in the way that makes you feel most comfortable and able to move forward with your life.

How Do I Find an Adoption Agency That Supports Transgender Adoption?

Since 2016, it’s illegal to ban same-sex couples from adoption. Therefore, LGBT couples can work with any adoption agency, as long as they meet the agency’s adoption requirements.

However, this doesn’t mean that all adoption agencies are LGBT friendly agencies.

When looking at websites for adoption professionals, make sure you’re looking for inclusive language. It’s helpful to also ask some LGBT-specific questions, including:

• What counseling, education, and support do you offer LGBT parents?
• What’s the estimated wait time for same-sex couples and for heterosexual couples?
• Have you successfully worked with LGBT couples before? If so, how many?

Not all agencies are fully prepared to complete an adoption for you successfully, even though they can and may be legally required to do so. Keep that in mind as you look for the LGBT-friendly adoption agency that meets your needs for a smooth transgender adoption process.

I’m a Transgender Man with an Unexpected Pregnancy. How Will I Find an Adoptive Family?

If you are FTM and pregnant and considering adoption, it’s understandable if you’re worried about finding an adoptive family for your child that’s inclusive and supportive.

There are many different types of adoption agencies you can work with for your transgender adoption, but you may have the best luck with a national adoption agency.

National adoption agencies work with families all across the United States. Compared to a small, local adoption agency, you’ll have many more options of families to choose from, which allows you to get really specific about what you’re looking for.

Ask yourself questions about what your preferences are in an adoptive family, such as:

• Do I want my child to be an only child or do I want them to grow up with siblings?
• Do I want a family who lives close to me?
• Do I want a family who shares the same religious background as me?
• Do I want a family who lives a certain lifestyle?
• And more

Begin Your Transgender Adoption Journey Today

No matter what your situation is, there is help and support out there for you, even if you’re transgender with an unintended pregnancy and considering adoption. You can begin your transgender adoption journey when you’re ready. All you have to do is reach out to us and we’ll get you connected with one of our specialists.