Options
Considering Parenting: Parenting can look different for everyone, especially depending on your situation.
Marriage
If you are already married, or if you and your partner choose to get married, you will have the opportunity to raise your child together. Your child will have both parents present throughout their life, and you and your spouse will have each other for support.
Single Parenting
As a single parent, you are responsible for your child and may face hardships that married parents or co-parents don’t experience. But it is possible to thrive as a single parent! Find support in your community through friends, families, local churches and other resources. There are others who care about you and want to help you with parenting.
Co-Parenting
If you and your partner choose to co-parent, your child will grow up knowing both parents and may alternate between home environments. Your partner might be a support to you, but you will also want to find others who will help you throughout your parenting (friends, family, community resources and churches). Depending on your situation, you may receive child support from your partner. You and your partner will need to communicate well for your child’s well-being and to create a stable and positive environment.
Considering Adoption: If you decide adoption is the right choice for you, as the birth parent you provide the life you imagine for your child by placing them in a loving, adoptive home.
Open Adoption
In this type of adoption, you will select and meet the adoptive parents. You will continue interacting with the adoptive parents and will have the opportunity to communicate with your child throughout their life.
Semi-open Adoption
This option allows you to select your child’s adoptive parents, while maintaining your privacy. Both you and the adoptive parents will have limited access to information about one another. You might receive updates regarding your child from the adoption agency throughout their life.
Confidential Adoption
This option is available to you if you want the adoption to be completely anonymous. You and the adoptive parents will not have any interaction with one another before, during or after the adoption process. You will not receive updates regarding your child throughout their life, and they will not know your information either.
New Life Pregnancy Center is not an adoption agency, but we will refer you to an adoption agency if you choose to place your child for adoption.
Considering Abortion: Abortion is the choice to end a pregnancy, terminating the life in the womb. Choosing abortion should never be a quick decision. Always consider all of your pregnancy options before choosing abortion.
*New Life Pregnancy Centers do not refer for, or perform abortions. However, trained staff members are available to discuss all your pregnancy options with you to assist you in making an informed decision that you feel confident in.
There are two categories of abortions:
Medical (chemical) abortions and surgical abortions. Both categories end the pregnancy and have their own risks. Risks associated with abortion may include:
- Heavy bleeding, nausea, sweating, fatigue
- Infection
- Incomplete abortion
- Allergic reaction to drugs
- Tearing of the cervix
- Scarring of the uterine lining
- Perforation of the uterus
- Damage to internal organs
- Shock or death1
In the state of Arizona, you are required to receive an ultrasound at least 24 hours prior to obtaining an abortion. It is against the law for anyone to force you to have an abortion, including your parents, the baby’s father or a doctor. If you feel you are being pressured to abort your unborn child, get help. Contact your local New Life Pregnancy Center or call OptionLine at 1 (800) 712-4357 right away to receive caring support and help.
Many women (and men) experience relief right after the abortion has taken place, but as time goes on they may begin to experience symptoms of post-abortion trauma including physical, emotional or spiritual symptoms. Some symptoms include guilt, shame, depression, anxiety, deep regret and nightmares. If you have already experienced an abortion and want to talk with someone about your experience, you’re not alone.2 Learn more and register for the multiple types of emotional and spiritual support we offer.
Citations
1. http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/medicalfacts/safety/
2. Downing, K., Arruda, V., Self, B., Truitt, J., Ferree, M. C., Adams, C., & Layton, P. (2009). Women reaching women in crisis: Ministry leader handbook. Nashville, TN: LifeWay.