Think you’re unexpectedly pregnant and unsure what to do next? Take a deep breath and take the time to consider each of the options available to you. You may have a picture in your mind of what a particular route looks like – but you owe it to yourself to learn all the information you need to make a confident decision.
You may find it helpful to discuss your options – including adoption and abortion – with a trusted professional like our staff at PHC of West Houston. In the meantime, take a moment to learn more about how adoption and abortion may impact your mental health differently.
What Is Depression?
You may or may not have familiarity with symptoms of depression. Depression is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as “a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.”
Some symptoms that are associated with depression include:
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Feeling sad
- Having a depressed mood
What Are the Mental Health Effects Caused by Abortion?
If you are considering abortion, you may choose to consider as well how it will affect your whole-person health, not just your physical health. The mental health effects of abortion can be significant, and it is wise to discuss how this may affect you with a doctor or trusted professional.
You may choose to think through some of the evidence-based information on possible mental health impacts of abortion, such as from the National Library of Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic. These studies point to the following as potential mental health effects following an abortion:
- Elevated rates of mental illness
- Sadness
- Stress
- Guilt
If you have had mental health concerns previously, you may be at increased risk of negative mental health impacts following an abortion experience.
What Are the Benefits of Adoption?
Adoption can be a bittersweet choice to make. However, it can also bring feelings of relief and joy that presents both the birth parents and the child (as well as the adoptive family) with the chance for a happy, healthy future.
You may not feel prepared to be a parent, and perhaps that’s leaving you feeling overwhelmed. But, you may also feel conflicted or desire a relationship with your child. If this is the case, making an adoption plan could be a healthy path for you.
Different adoption plans can be tailored to the level of contact you feel more comfortable participating in with your child and the child’s adoptive family. In addition to providing an adoptive family with the opportunity to grow their family, you may also consider the following benefits of adoption:
- Making an adoption plan can provide peace of mind
- It’s free (and there may be programs in your area to support you further through pregnancy)
- You change a family’s life for the better and give your child a beautiful future.
American Adoptions shares the following perspective: “Birth mother benefits in adoption can be great. Adoption can grant you a second chance at receiving an education and fulfilling your goals, while creating the opportunity for your child to be raised in a home with a loving family who have always dreamed of being parents.”
Where Can I Get More Information?
You may feel most comfortable getting more information on each of your options or discussing them in a safe environment. We’d be honored to welcome you to our center to learn more and let us support you as you navigate your pregnancy decision journey.
Our professional team offers confidential appointments where you can discuss key information and receive important services, such as pregnancy confirmation and ultrasound, at no cost.
The choice is yours, but we’re here to help. Schedule your free appointment today to gather the information you need to make your next steps with confidence.