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Am I pregnant?
If you think you may be pregnant, you have a lot to consider: your future, health, family, partner, personal life situation, and whether you feel ready to become a mother. You always have options and you have the right to choose the option that is best for you.
First things first: not every late menstrual period means a pregnancy, so before you start wondering what to do, have a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests are very accurate, but you'll probably want to be retested by a health care professional. It is important to have a health care provider determine how far along in the pregnancy you are, as it is easy to miscalculate on your own. It's also important to take care of yourself, especially when deciding whether or not to continue a pregnancy, and a health care professional can give you information about diet and nutrition, smoking cessation, substance abuse prevention, and other health topics.
Yes, I'm pregnant—What are my options?
When you know for sure that you are pregnant, you have three options: parenthood, adoption, and abortion. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, and only you can determine which one is right for you. However, you don't have to make the decision alone—talking to your partner, family, trusted friends, your clergy member and/or health care provider can help.
Here are some questions for you to consider before you make the important decision of whether or not to have and raise a child:
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Does having a child fit the lifestyle I want? Would it conflict with my education/ career/ other activities?
- Am I financially ready to be a parent?
- Is my partner ready for parenthood, and if not, do I want to raise a child alone?
- Am I patient and responsible enough to deal with the 24-hour-a-day demands of a child?
- How would another child affect my family?
Parenthood
Planned Parenthood of Indiana wants to make sure that every child is a wanted child, and if you decide to continue the pregnancy and become a parent, our staff can refer you to resources available for prenatal care, financial assistance, and parenting classes. Learn more about having a healthy baby.
Adoption
Perhaps the best option for you is to continue your pregnancy and let someone else raise the child. There are many loving families waiting to adopt, and you can find help at many public and private agencies like those in the links below. Learn more about the adoption process.
Abortion
If you feel that you cannot have a child or experience a pregnancy at this time in your life, you may choose a safe, legal abortion. Planned Parenthood of Indiana offers abortion by medication or surgical procedure for women in their first trimester of pregnancy. Learn more about our abortion services.
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