Find Your Options
Pregnancy Options
An unexpected pregnancy can put you in a state of shock and disbelief, especially if you were taking birth control. No matter how you may feel about your potential pregnancy, Choices Pregnancy Services is here to help you understand your options and receive the best, individualized care in Beaver and Allegheny counties.
Option #1: Parenting
Pregnancy and motherhood are the most beautiful and significantly life-altering events that I have ever experienced. — Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Carrying and parenting can be wonderful. It will test every fiber of your being at times, yet most women who choose this option will tell you it's worth it.
Pros:
You’ll Have Your Mini-Me: This little person can bring incredible joy (and, yes, some frustration). You’ll celebrate milestones, grow together, and build a lifetime of memories.
Growing Together: You’ll teach your child, learn from your child, and discover new things together through each stage of life. Not sure where to start? A needs assessment & Parent University can help you learn parenting strategies and shop a baby boutique at no charge.
A Lifetime of Connection: From everyday moments to big milestones, you’ll build a relationship filled with experiences and memories you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.
Considerations:
Time to Adjust: Parenting is both challenging and rewarding. You don’t have to have it all figured out. A confidential advocate can help you assess your needs and develop strategies for success.
Your Goals & Dreams: You can continue pursuing your goals and dreams. An advocate can help you design a plan that supports both your parenting and your future.
Strategic Support: Connecting to resources can help you navigate your unique circumstances. Receive a needs assessment and collaborate with your confidential advocate to create strategies to help you thrive.
Option #2: Adoption
I am a living testament that you can be adopted and successful. — Daunte Culpepper
Modern adoption is another option: it is customizable and provides supportive resources. Common myths about adoption can make it tempting to discard this option; this is why it’s important to get the facts, learn up-to-date information, and decide for yourself.
There are various forms of adoption to explore to suit your needs and goals, while also meeting your child’s needs. Consider this: Why in our society is it heroic to be a surrogate, but the same society spins “adoption” as any less? In both, you provide for your child’s needs to be able to grow and be born; you are able to continue your goals; the baby is raised in a family you’ve chosen so all its needs are met. * Adoptions today can be open adoptions, meaning you can still be an integral part of your child’s life with frequent communication and visits; Partially open, or closed. You choose which design works best for you.
Pros:
Another Option: Adoption is another path to consider when parenting or abortion feels like your only choices. Exploring it does not commit you to it.
Customizable: Choose from modern(open), partially open, or closed adoption and thoughtfully select a family to raise your child, based on your goals and your child’s needs.
Support for Your Future: Adoption may provide support while allowing you to pursue your education, career, relationships, and other goals. Kinship care and/or foster care are additional placement options(see below for more information).
Considerations:
An Emotional Journey: Adoption can bring many emotions. Take time to learn, process, and consider what’s right for you and your child.
Your Parental Rights: Adoption generally means permanently transferring parental rights. Advocacy and legal representation can help protect your rights and support your choice.
Your Relationship with Your Child: The type of adoption largely guides your role, relationship & interactions.
Option #3: Abortion
I really didn't know there were two sides to the abortion issue. — Norma McCorvey, AKA Roe.
It’s estimated that nearly one in four women will experience abortion in their reproductive years. Like adoption, abortion is a decision you will have to be completely convinced of because it is a loss. Choosing abortion may come with moments of grief as well as emotional and physical discomfort.
Pros:
Women have different experiences with abortion. Some feel it was right for them; others later regret their decision. The decision is yours. Choices offers free, confidential information about your pregnancy, options, and resources.
Every woman’s situation is different. Choices provides a confidential, judgment-free place to ask questions and learn about your options.
Women consider abortion for many reasons. A confidential advocate can help you explore your options and resources—at no cost and without judgment.
Considerations:
Knowledge is power. Learn about your current pregnancy status, options, potential risks, and available resources. At Choices, you can receive a pregnancy test and ultrasound. Also, STI testing is important in protecting your health & safety. We can take care of that for you!
Medical procedures and medications have potential risks. A private consultation can help you understand potential risks related to your pregnancy, health & circumstances.
It may feel like you're under a lot of pressure. Getting accurate health information about your pregnancy and talking with a confidential advocate who won't profit from your decision can help. Choices is the best first step to inform, equip, and educate you on your pregnancy, options, and resources
Option #4: Kinship Care or Foster Care
Kinship care refers to: Relatives — people related to the child by blood or marriage AND Fictive kin — people who aren't legally or biologically related but have such a close emotional relationship with the child or family that they are considered like family.
Pros:
Safety & Support: Kinship and foster care can provide a safe, stable, nurturing home with caregiver screening, monitoring, and support services—while giving you breathing room to regain stability.
Kin Connections: Kinship care may be less disruptive and help preserve family, community, and sibling connections. You may have more say in choosing a trusted adult your child knows.
Parental Role: In kinship care, parental rights generally remain intact; Foster care also provides advocacy services for the natural parent which can include parental rights; both options may support continued parent-child relationships and parental rights.
Path Forward: Both options may be temporary or long-term and can provide stability while supporting reunification or adoption, depending on what you pursue.
Considerations:
Adjustment: A placement can change family routines and relationships and may bring challenging emotions. Supportive services are available.
Choosing Care: Not all kin are equipped to provide safe, stable, nurturing care. Considering a care plan that best supports your child and your wellbeing is important.
Communication & Control: Clear and realistic expectations about visits and decision-making are important. Foster care may involve less control over day-to-day care.
Agency & Court: Child and Family services agencies or court may establish visitation and reunification requirements.
Why Choose Choices Pregnancy Services
We know pregnancy decisions can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to walk this road alone. At Choices Pregnancy Services, you’ll find a safe, non-judgmental place to process your thoughts, feelings, and options.
Safe & Non-Judgmental:
A safe place to ask questions and process your options.
Personalized Support:
One-on-one support tailored to your needs and goals.
Accurate Information:
Clear, medically accurate information about your pregnancy and options.
Empowered Decisions:
Support to make an informed decision that’s right for you.
Practical Resources:
Connections to resources to support you throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Abortion Information:
Information about abortion procedures and patient rights.