If you’re unexpectedly pregnant, you may have been reviewing your options and ruled out parenting as a choice. There are still two paths you can take: abortion and adoption. It’s essential to understand each one to safeguard your health and well-being.

This is a big decision; you don’t have to make it alone. Talk with us at Collage. We can help you get informed so you can make a confident choice about your pregnancy. 

What You Need To Know About Abortion

Abortion is the process of terminating a viable pregnancy. In all of its forms, it’s a serious medical procedure and comes with physical risks to your health that you should be aware of.

There are two types of abortions: medical and surgical. 

Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy. It’s typically done at home and earlier in pregnancy, as it’s only FDA-approved through ten weeks gestation (how far along you are). 

The risks of a medical abortion include:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

A surgical abortion uses a combination of medication, scraping instruments, suction, and other medical instruments to remove a pregnancy and its related tissue from the uterus. It’s performed later in pregnancy and in a hospital or clinic setting. 

The risks of a surgical abortion include:

• Uterine perforation (this occurs when one of the medical instruments pokes a hole in your uterus)
• Uterine scarring, which can lead to painful or absent periods as well as future infertility
• Cervical damage
• Infection

The Facts About Adoption

Adoption is the process of giving your parental rights to another family who wants a child. While adoption requires you to carry your pregnancy to term, you avoid the medical risks an abortion can have. 

You may also be able to pick the family you want to adopt your child, as well as get financial and material assistance for pregnancy-related expenses.

You’re in control of your adoption plan. There are three types you can choose from:

1. Open Adoption: This is the most common type of adoption and allows you and the adoptive family to communicate freely with one another. 
2. Semi-Open Adoption: You can choose whether to exchange identifying information about yourself. This plan allows you to communicate with the adoptive parents through a third party, such as an attorney or adoption agency.
3. Closed Adoption: Details about you are protected and cannot be disclosed to the child or adoptive family. This adoption plan ensures complete privacy and confidentiality, and no contact is maintained.

Adoption isn’t “giving up your child.” It’s about making a selfless choice to place your child in a loving family and giving your child a bright future. 

Discuss Your Options

Collage provides no-cost pregnancy services and a safe and confidential space to discuss your pregnancy options.

We’re here to support you in making the decision that’s right for you. 

Request an appointment today.