Picture getting ready for an 8 am class after being up most of the night with a crying baby. When you’re done with classes, you go to work for eight hours. Once you get off work, you rush to pick up your baby from daycare. Then, you go home and start this process all over again.
In the scenario described here, you’re not really raising your baby. The childcare provider is doing most of the nurturing and caring for your child.
There are few parenting situations more difficult than caring for a baby with no support while trying to finish college. Raising a child on your own is a full-time job, on top of your course load.
Statistics show that many women who get pregnant in college and decide to parent their child end up quitting school. Many of these mothers grow dependent on welfare programs to help raise their child. The cycle of poverty stays at her door because it’s hard to make much money without a college education.
If you’re pregnant and in college, this scenario may seem incredibly depressing. It can come as a big shock when only a short time ago you were living a life of freedom and had your future all planned out.
Of course, you’ll want to do what’s best for you and your baby. How can you provide the best life for your child while remaining in college?
You have choices that will empower you to set your world right and do the best thing you can do for your child. Maybe you haven’t thought about the choice of adoption yet, but now may be a good time to consider it.
With open adoption, you can select the adoptive parents who will raise your child. You’ll have the opportunity to choose the type of home your child will grow up in. You can even stay in touch with your child as he or she grows up. The adoptive parents will send you updates through letters, emails, photos, and even occasional visits.
By making an adoption plan, you’ll be able to finish your education and better your life. Plus, you can provide your child with a mom and dad who will provide a stable and loving home. You can live your life secure in the knowledge that your child is in the best possible home that you could provide.
Archive for Adoption
You can learn more about adoption by calling or texting
“I’ve really been struggling to make ends meet for the last year. I work long hours so I can make enough to pay for daycare. All my bills are past due and I’m going to get kicked out of my apartment soon.
This isn’t how I pictured life to be for my daughter. I want better for her than being shuffled to and from daycare, and barely seeing her.
It’s so hard to even think of adopting her out, it’s also hard to think of what could happen if I don’t. Is it too late to do adoption?”
It’s never too late to make an adoption plan for your child. Many women have parented before choosing adoption. You can manage the whole adoption planning process, including when you’re ready to start. Adoption is always a choice that you can make, no matter if your child is weeks, months, or years old. Women choosing adoption later on for their child have the same rights and choices as a pregnant woman making an adoption plan, including:
- Planning an adoption that fits your goals for your child’s future
- Selecting the perfect adoptive parents for your child
- Choosing how much contact you’d like to have with the adoptive family before and after the adoption
- Receiving the resources, support, and services you need.
- Remaining a part of your child’s life through open adoption visits, emails, photos, and updates
- Deciding when you’re ready to sign the adoption paperwork.
You can move through the adoption process at your own speed. We can refer you to an adoption professional called Lifetime Adoption who works nationwide. They’ve helped hundreds of women who chose adoption for their older child. Know that Lifetime won’t try to pressure you into a decision you’re not OK with.
There’s no deadline to do what’s best your child, and no “wrong time”
to start thinking about adoption.
Contact Lifetime Adoption to learn more about your adoption choices and how to move forward. Give Lifetime a call or text them at 1-800-923-6784.
to start thinking about adoption.
Contact Lifetime Adoption to learn more about your adoption choices and how to move forward. Give Lifetime a call or text them at 1-800-923-6784.
If you’ve just started to research the process of adoption for your baby, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. Luckily, you’re not alone. With some guidance, you’ll be able to decide what’s best for you and your baby.
Today, we’re describing the steps to take as you decide if adoption’s best for your baby:
1. Visit a Doctor
As soon as you think that you’re pregnant, visit your doctor or OB/GYN to make sure. They can also help you learn how your pregnancy is doing. Whether or not you choose adoption, you should start by caring for yourself and your baby.
The first few months of pregnancy are really important to your baby’s development. Since your body will be changing a lot, it’s essential that you start to take care of yourself as soon as possible. Your doctor will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for yourself and your baby during your pregnancy.
2. Contact an Adoption Professional
Understanding how adoption works will be the first step in your decision-making process. An adoption professional will provide you with information, help you create a plan, and ask you what your needs are during your pregnancy. If you’re still on the fence about adoption, an adoption professional can provide you with all the information you need to make a decision. Call or text Lifetime Adoption at 1-800-923-6784 to learn more.
3. Create an Adoption Plan
Your Adoption Coordinator will explain all of your options, and help you decide how you’d like your adoption to go. They’ll help you plan your labor and delivery experience, your hospital stay, and direct you to programs if you need help with medical costs and living expenses. Your adoption professional will get your medical history, the medical history of your baby’s father, and ask you questions about what you’re hoping for in adoption. At Lifetime Adoption, you’re able to receive both third-party counseling and peer counseling.
4. Choose Your Style of Adoption
There are three different styles of relationships you can have with the adoptive family: open, semi-open and closed. You have the choice to decide the type and amount of contact you’d like to have with them after you place your baby in their home. Some women decide that updates through pictures and emails once a year is enough, but others choose more contact through annual in-person visits. The style of adoption relationship you’ll have with your child and his or her adoptive family is up to you.
5. Select Your Baby’s Adoptive Parents
Many pregnant women making an adoption plan appreciate having the power to choose the couple who will raise their child. The adoption professional will send you information about adoptive families, including their careers, faith, hobbies, parenting style, and enthusiasm to become parents through adoption.
You can even start looking at potential adoptive parents online at any time! Visit LifetimeAdoption.com/find-a-family to see hopeful adoptive parents’ profiles online.
Once you see an adoptive family that “clicks” with you, we encourage you to have a phone conversation with them. During the call, you can get to know the couple better and let them know your wishes for the adoption process. Feel free to discuss any questions, thoughts or concerns you may have.
6. Welcome Your Baby
Before you give birth, your Adoption Coordinator will encourage you to think about how you want your birth plan to go. Once you go into labor, notify your adoption professional right away. They’ll contact the adoptive family you’ve chosen.
After you deliver, you have the right to spend as much time as you need to with your baby. You’ll likely be allowed to leave the hospital within 72 hours. Depending on your state, you might even sign relinquishment papers before you go.
7. Preparing for Life After Placement
Most women find that they need counseling after placement since adoption is a lifelong choice. Your Adoption Coordinator at Lifetime will help you work through your feelings and prepare you for the many emotions you’ll face.
Getting in touch with other mothers who chose adoption for their baby has helped many women. Your Adoption Coordinator at Lifetime will put you in contact with other women who have been in your shoes. Since they’ve also placed, a peer counselor can let you know what to expect and provide you with helpful tips.
If you chose an open adoption relationship, you’ll also have the adoptive family’s support and be able to see your child grow up. With open adoption, placement isn’t a “good-bye” forever, but the start of a beautiful relationship between you, your child, and the family you chose.
Are you thinking about adoption for your baby? Call or text Lifetime at 1-800-923-6784. Requesting info on adoption or browsing profiles doesn’t mean you have to complete the adoption process.
If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and aren’t sure whether you’re ready to become a parent, you’re probably struggling with the next step. We believe that it’s important for you to be well-informed about your choices so that you can make the best decision for you. So in this article, we’re going over abortion vs. adoption as your pregnancy choices.
It can be challenging to decide what to do after you find out you’re pregnant. Both adoption and abortion are options for women who aren’t ready to become a mom, and they both come with different challenges.
What About Adoption?
In today’s adoptions, most women choose to have contact with their child and the adoptive family, and they get updates regularly. There’s no cost for you to choose adoption, and you may have access to free counseling and help with your living expenses.
It’s never too late in your pregnancy to decide on adoption, no matter if you’re just a few weeks along or are in the delivery room. You can begin creating an adoption plan that works for you, whatever your time frame is.
You can choose the adoptive family based on the kind of life you want for your baby. By working with a professional like Lifetime Adoption, you’re able to view adoptive family profiles online until you find a good fit. Once you choose to “match” with an adoptive family, you can begin getting to know them and decide on the details of your adoption plan.
Your adoption decision isn’t final until you legally consent to the adoption, which usually happens 24-72 hours after the birth of your baby. Read about the options you have with modern adoption.
What About Abortion?
Most of the time, abortions are done during the first trimester. The costs of abortion can range from $500-$2000, depending on several factors.
You might have to inform your parents or get counseling before having the procedure done, and might also have a waiting period. It’s recommended to make this decision early in your pregnancy since the procedure can become more complicated if you’re further along than 14 weeks.
The procedure can be done through surgery or medication, depending on your health and how far you are. With either surgery or medication, your risk of having medical complications is pretty low. However, it increases for later abortions. A few of the medical complications of abortion include inflammation, bleeding, infection, and damage to your cervix or surrounding organs. Take some time to learn the facts of abortion.
By learning more about your pregnancy choices, you’ll be able to make an educated decision.
“Ten days ago, I found out I’m pregnant. It had been five weeks since I’d had my period. I had this nagging feeling when I bought that test that it’d come up positive. But, I’m not thrilled to be pregnant…
I walked into the living room, and my boyfriend paused the video game he was playing. I announced that the pregnancy test turned out positive. We then just sat in silence on the sofa together, not knowing what to say. To say this wasn’t the right time would be an understatement. I’m still going to school full-time, and my boyfriend is between jobs.
We didn’t mention the pregnancy until a couple of days later. We were both acting like the test was wrong. I told myself that since I didn’t take it first thing in the morning when my hormones were high, maybe it didn’t count.
Days went by, and the realization started to sink in: we were going to be parents. Since having that realization, I’ve been crying every day. Crying during everyday moments, like brushing my teeth or getting on the bus to work. And not happy tears either; ugly crocodile tears, that I couldn’t wipe away fast enough before more came.
I needed to talk to someone about this. I wanted someone to reassure me that everything would be okay. So I called my best friend, who always seems to know what to say. She asked me, ‘Are you so excited?’ I broke down in tears, and let her know that no, I’m not excited. I’m angry. I’m scared. Basically everything but excited.
‘I’m not thrilled to be pregnant. I don’t know if I want this baby. I should get it taken care of. How can I bring a child into the world when I feel this way?’
And then, when I felt so low, my friend offered another option besides abortion. Her loving and compassionate suggestion was adoption. OK, so my boyfriend and I totally weren’t ready to become a dad and mom. But there were thousands of couples that were, couples who couldn’t have a baby of their own. They wanted desperately to adopt so that they could become parents. That’s when I started to explore adoption…”
If you’re not ready to be a mom and don’t want to get an abortion either, there is a third choice: adoption. We encourage you to check out LifetimeAdoption.com if you’d like to learn more about this pregnancy choice.
Have you ever wondered how becoming a mom will change your life? It’s crazy how much things change when you have a baby. And it can be even crazier if your pregnancy was unplanned and you’re not ready for this huge change.
Going to School Will Be Tough
Becoming a mom when you aren’t ready makes continuing your education really difficult. Since babies obviously can’t just be left on their own, you’d need to decide who can watch your baby while you’re in class.
If your parents are willing to help out, then that’s great. But, this might put stress on your relationship. Daycare is expensive, so money will be tight if you’re going to school while trying to pay for daycare and babysitters.
Career Plans on Hold
An unplanned pregnancy can get in the way of your career. If you’re climbing the ladder of success, it might feel disappointing to have to miss work and stay at home caring for your baby.
You’ll probably be very tired at work and then stressed out once you get home. After all, there are only so many hours in the day! If you don’t have support at home from the baby’s father or family members, then you’ll be responsible for a lot.
Way Less “Me Time”
Right now, you might feel like babies are just cute, tiny versions of adults. But ask any mom and they’ll tell you that babies are tiny dictators who take every ounce of your energy.
“It always seems like he gets hungry as soon as I sit down to eat. And long, relaxing showers were a thing of the past for the first few months. There just wasn’t any ‘me time’ between all the feeding, burping, rocking, and changing his diapers!” shares one mom, Jessica. Right now, you only have to think about yourself. If you become a mom from an unplanned pregnancy, you might get bitter that your ‘me time’ disappears.
Losing Sleep
You’d lose sleep in the early months, no matter if your pregnancy was planned or not. Moms of newborns don’t get to sleep much because most babies just don’t sleep for long stretches. It can be difficult for new moms to get used to waking up at all hours of the night.
All this can be super-overwhelming, especially if you didn’t plan on becoming a mom. You might feel a little resentful of being so tired if you didn’t plan for this change.
Money Will Be Tight
Babies get expensive. There are lots of little expenses that add up, like diaper cream and baby wipes. Oh, and lots and lots of diapers!
Be prepared for money to be tight, especially if you need to take time off work or if you have to pay for childcare when you start working again.
Relationships Will Change
An unplanned pregnancy puts a strain on a new relationship with a boyfriend or husband, especially if he wasn’t ready to become a dad.
Your friends might be supportive now, during your pregnancy but later distance themselves after you have your baby. This is especially true if they don’t have kids yet and are still out partying. They might not understand that you don’t have time to spend with them like you used to.
It’s smart to think about these things when you find out you’re pregnant. If you’re worried about how an unplanned pregnancy might change your life and want to talk to someone, you can connect with Lifetime Adoption at
1-800-923-6784 and have a private convo. The pregnancy coordinator you talk to can help you answer questions about your choices and give you resources for finding out more about adoption if you’d like.
Have you ever thought about how having a baby might change your life? It’s a little crazy how much things change when you have a baby. And, if you’re dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, it can be extra crazy. Not everybody in your life will be ready for this huge change.
An Education Is Difficult
Having a baby before you’re ready makes going to school very hard. Caring for a baby takes up a lot of time, and they obviously can’t just be left on their own. So, you’d need to figure out who will care for your baby while you’re at class.
If your parents are around to help out, that’s great. But, relying on a parent puts a strain on your relationship. Daycare is expensive, so if you’re going to school and paying for daycare, expect money to be very tight.
Your Career Plans May Be Paused
An unplanned pregnancy can be a real obstacle to your career goals. If you’re climbing the corporate ladder, you may feel disappointed when you have to stay home with the baby when you’d rather be working.
Expect that you will be more tired at work, and more stressed out at home. There are only so many hours in the day, and if you don’t have enough support at home from either family members or the baby’s father, then you’ll be taking care of a lot of responsibilities on your own.
There Will Be Less “Me Time”
Before becoming a mom, you might have felt like babies were just cute, tiny people. But any parent will tell you that babies will devour every bit of energy you have and rule your life.
It seems like babies always get hungry the second you sit down to eat. And slow, relaxed showers are ruled out for the first few months. There isn’t any time for yourself with all the rocking, feeding, burping, and changing diapers. Right now you’re the only person you have to be concerned about. If you end up parenting after an unplanned pregnancy, you may be bitter about having your “me time” taken away.
You’ll Lose Sleep
You will get less sleep, no matter if your pregnancy was planned or not. Most newborns don’t sleep for long stretches of time, and it’s hard to get used to being woken up all night.
So, be prepared for less sleep. It may make you feel overwhelmed (and maybe a little annoyed) of being so tired, especially if you didn’t plan on this pregnancy.
Money Will Be Tight
Buying everything that a baby needs is expensive. Think about all the baby gear, strollers, slings, baby wipes, diaper cream, bottles, and diapers you’ll need.
Money might not be as tight if your family is supportive. But you need to be ready for money to be tighter, particularly if you’re taking time off work or paying for childcare.
Relationships Will Change
Your relationships with friends and family might change in ways you don’t like, or it may change for the better. Unplanned pregnancies typically don’t bring families closer together.
If you’re in a new relationship with a boyfriend or husband, this unplanned pregnancy can put stress on it. Maybe he wasn’t ready to be a dad just yet. That can bring up a lot of difficult emotions that aren’t easy to talk about.
It might seem like your pregnancy is none of your family member’s business, but they might think it. Your parents might have strong opinions on your pregnancy and pressure you to make a decision you wouldn’t normally make.
Friends that are supportive during your pregnancy might distance themselves after you deliver. This is especially true when they don’t have children of their own. Since becoming a parent changes your life in so drastically, they won’t understand why you don’t have time to spend with them anymore.
It’s helpful to think about all of these things when you find out you’re pregnant by accident. If you’re stressing over how this unplanned will might affect your life, talking with someone about your situation helps. You can connect with Lifetime Adoption at 1-800-923-6784 and have a private one-on-one talk with a pregnancy coordinator. She’ll answer any questions you might have about your options and give you resources for finding more info.
Having a missed period is one of the worst scares you can get when you’re not ready to be a mom. You’re probably eyeing your calendar, counting the days, and hoping your fear of being pregnant is just irrational and your period will arrive.
Before you freak out, make sure that you are in fact pregnant. A late period can be caused by a variety of things, like stress, weather change, or losing lots of weight. Every missed period doesn’t mean you’re pregnant. But if you’ve been expecting your period for a few weeks now and it hasn’t arrived, then it’s time to take action. Buy two or three pregnancy tests so you can test a few times. It’s more likely to be accurate if you test in the morning.
If your pregnancy test is positive, the next step is to visit your Ob-Gyn to confirm you’re actually pregnant. Once your doctor confirms you’re pregnant as well, you’ll need to plan what you want to do. Don’t just make a quick decision, think about all of the possible outcomes. Hash it out with your partner. This one-time decision will have an effect on both of your lives.
Here’s a breakdown of the 3 choices you have:
Become a mother: Being a single mom is hard, and a life-long commitment. Although parenting a child while you are young is extremely difficult for many reasons, you should look into all your options, including the benefits and the realistic challenges of parenting. By talking with counselors and other women who have chosen parenting, you will better understand this choice.
Abortion: this is a tough decision to have to make, and there are several things you should think about before choosing abortion. Keep in mind your physical and mental health. If you’re dating but not ready to become a mom yet, you need to make sure to talk abortion over with your boyfriend. Abortion should be a decision you both make. If you do choose it, make sure you know all you can about abortion before going through it.
Adoption: The choices with open adoption today will allow your baby to grow up knowing they are loved by both their adoptive parents and by you. It allows you to make the decisions you want to about your pregnancy, delivery, and your baby’s future. You may even choose the adoptive family you want and visit your child if you wish!
As with all your options, fully exploring the adoption process will give a clear picture and help you make the right choice. Counselors, adoptive parents and other birth mothers are available to help you get a better understanding of adoption. Visiting an adoption company’s website is a great place to start as well.
Sometimes talking with your family can be the hardest part of dealing with a pregnancy, especially if you are young and considering an adoption plan for your baby. There can be a lot going on emotionally and physically with you during the pregnancy, but it can make a difference if you have support from your friends and family.
If you are looking for someone to talk with, try visiting this website for more info and tips:
or you can call Lifetime Adoption at 1-800-923-6784.
Becoming a mom for the first time is a wonderful experience. However, if the pregnancy is not planned or you are not ready to parent, it can be very difficult. When considering your choices, there are questions to ask. These questions can help clarify where you are in your head and heart. Are you “mom material” yet? Let us help you find out…
It is not easy to take an honest look at your life and see things for what they really are. We all have the tendency to want to see things how we hope they will be. However, parenting is a job that lasts 18 to 20 plus years! There are no vacations or breaks. The responsibility is 24/7.
If you are nineteen now, you will be almost forty before your life will be your own. Some young women are emotionally ready to take on the challenge of parenting. They have older siblings and parents that will support them in this new role. Others share that they feel cheated of their youth and feel guilty they could not give their child everything they needed.
There is no right or wrong way to do it. There is only your way! These questions are merely a guide to help you sort out your feelings and situation. Check out this list and write down your answers.
- Do you have a stable and flexible job?
- Are you married (or in a stable, long-term relationship)? Is he the father of your baby? Will he support and love you both?
- Are you a student? Will you have to drop out of school to parent?
- Are you close with your parents? Will they help you raise the baby?
- Are you able to provide a comfortable home, food, clothing, education, and medical attention for your child? What about college for him/her?
- Do you have other children and struggle to support them?
- Are you in physical danger from your baby’s daddy?
- Do you enjoy going out on the weekends with your friends? Can you make a commitment to give that up?
- Many men hesitate to date a woman with children. Are you OK with that?
Most women who choose adoption go on to have other babies once they are older and in a more stable situation. They give a childless couple the opportunity to parent and see their biological child grow up secure and happy. Most adoptions have some degree of openness; this may include an exchange of letters and pictures. Sometimes there are yearly visits and/or occasional phone calls.
You could be 18 and eager to be a mom. You could be 28 and not yet ready. The most important thing is to take a courageous look at your life and make the choice for you and your baby. This time of your life is a crossroads. Which road will you take? If you want to talk to someone, our compassionate staff is on the line, whenever you need us. Just call our Pregnancy Option Hotline at 1-800-923-6784.
