Is Abortion or Adoption Right for Me?

When faced with an unexpected pregnancy, deciding if abortion or adoption is the right choice for you involves navigating your health and well-being.

Considering all aspects, including the potential for lasting emotional and psychological impacts, is vital before making this life-altering decision.

What To Know About Abortion

Abortion is a medical procedure to end a pregnancy, done through drugs or surgical methods, depending on the pregnancy’s stage and your health considerations.

A medical abortion uses two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, and misoprostol expels the embryo from the vagina.

This procedure is not without its risks, such as:

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

Surgical abortion uses a mix of medications, surgical tools, and suction methods to terminate a pregnancy. You will usually be in a hospital or clinic setting.

There are some additional risks you should be aware of, such as:

Uterine perforation (a small tear in your uterus)
Uterine infection
Uterine bleeding

These can be more serious, as they can lead to future miscarriages and infertility in rare cases.

Perhaps the most significant risk to you is your emotional health. A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that abortion is consistently associated with elevated rates of mental illness compared to women without a history of abortion.

Considering Adoption

Adoption can be a difficult choice. It requires you to carry your pregnancy to full term and permanently place your child with another family, but it can also be a compassionate choice. You can offer a loving solution for families unable to conceive while knowing your child is safe and loved.

It’s crucial to understand that adoption today is not what it was decades ago. Modern adoption practices allow for open, semi-open, or closed arrangements, where you can have varying degrees of contact with your child and the adoptive family you choose. In fact, you not only select the adoptive family but also the future you want for your child.

Financial considerations are also important. Pregnancy and abortion can both have significant costs — emotional, physical, and financial. Adoption, in many cases, can alleviate the financial burden, as adoptive families often cover pregnancy-related expenses.

Adoption can alleviate emotional costs as well with a sense of peace and closure, knowing your child is growing up loved and cared for. It is vital to choose an adoption agency that provides thorough adoption counseling before, during, and after the finalization of the adoption.

You Are Not Alone

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering your options? At Crossroads, we’re here for you. Let us help you navigate these circumstances with our no-cost services and support.

Confirm your pregnancy with one of our compassionate team members and get all your questions answered. Although we do not perform or refer for abortions, we can provide the information you want to know about abortion procedures, side effects, and risks.

We can refer you to reputable adoption agencies in our area. Contact us today to schedule your no-cost and confidential appointment.

Sources:

Medical abortion – Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687

Dilation and curettage (D&C) – Mayo Clinic. (2023, November 7). https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/about/pac-20384910

Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Dilation and Curettage (D & C). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4110-dilation-and-curettage-d–c

Reardon, D. C. (2018). The abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities. Sage Open Medicine, 6, 205031211880762. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118807624