Pregnant without a plan

As human beings we are all capable of making mistakes. An unplanned pregnancy is often one of the most common amongst teenagers. You here it on the news that their is a rise in teenage pregnancies over the years. There have been countless movies and books over it. They even went as far as to make a TV series to show how life is as a pregnant teen.

Being pregnant isn't the easiest thing in the world and being in high school at the same time can be a nightmare. People don't always understand your situation. It doesn't make you a slut because you became pregnant earlier than you might have planned. Condoms break and birth control fails. That doesn't mean your life is over.

One of the hardest decisions to make while you are pregnant is what to do with your baby once he or she is brought into this world. Maybe you don't have the money to take care of the child. Maybe you are not ready to be a parent. Whatever the situation you have options.

Adoption

• Closed Adoption

A closed adoption is when the mother or father give their baby to another family to raise for them. The birth parents are no longer involved in the babies life after this point. Giving your child away to complete strangers would, of course, be difficult but many often find this to be the best decision. This process prevents birth parents from getting their child back because once they give up custody of the child the files are 'sealed'. That means they can not change their mind and decide they want their baby back. This is extremely helpful to prevent children who are taken from broken homes from being sought out by their parents who could possible propose a threat him or her.

I believe this option should be thought about very thoroughly. The child will be completely cut off form it's family. In the future it may wonder why his or her parents gave him up. There are also issues with the fact that if they become ill there will be no information on his or her family history. That could be very dangerous. You also have to consider the fact that this could bring emotional damage to the birth parents and their child. This is definitely not a decision that should be made hastily.

• Open Adoption

An open adoption is when the birth parents get to continue having a relationship with their baby as well as the family that will be the main care takers of him or her. That would give the child two sets of parents to love and take care of it. Mothers, and fathers if they are around, get many options when it comes to picking the family they think is the best for their child. The birth parents and adoptive parents get to decide how often the birth parents get to see the baby. This is all based on how comfortable they are with each other and what will fit each of their schedules best. This is also with what is best for their child in mind, of course.

This option isn't for everyone though. This is adoption, open or not, so the birth parents are still giving up some of the joys of parenting. Sharing a child may not be the easiest thing to do. It is definitely something that takes adjusting to or it will not work. Adoptive parents want the baby more than they want the birth parents but they understand that they will be around. It will still take a lot of communication to make the process run as smoothly as possible.

Parenting

Being pregnant is a magical thing and should not be taken for granted. Their are many people in the world that can not get pregnant. They will never know the joys of feeling that little body move around in their stomach. They will never experience the joy and accomplishment that holding your baby for the first time brings.

Yes, babies are expensive and can be difficult but there are many people out there that can provide pregnant women with the things they need so they can be a great parent. There are financial programs and housing assistance just for pregnant women. Their are day-cares with decent pricing so dropping out of school is not necessary. Being pregnant young is not uncommon as it once was. There are places that will provide people with the held they need to bring a healthy, happy baby into the world.

Abortion

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. Murder is the taking of someones life. What's the difference? I don't see one but some people do. They claim that while that tiny creature is growing inside the woman's body it is just a fetus and not a baby. Since it's not born yet it's not really alive yet, right?

Wrong!

Around the fourth week the heart begins to beat in that tiny little creature.

Around the tenth week the brain is fully formed.

Rather you chose to believe it or not that is a baby. A baby that did not choose to be there but is. It should have a chance on the outside world. Please don't choose to take that away from him or her.