| Pregnancy Options Counseling
Making Choices
Planned Parenthood Believes: Planned Parenthood has been helping women make choices about their bodies and their lives since 1916. At Planned Parenthood we strongly believe that your choice to continue or end your pregnancy is a very personal decision. Our specially trained medical staff has the knowledge and experience to answer any questions you may have about the results of your pregnancy test. In the case of a negative pregnancy test result, an experienced medical staff person can discuss what steps you should take next depending upon your particular circumstances. If your pregnancy test result is positive, the staff person can give you the information and referrals that you need to help you make your own decision. The decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy is a very personal choice and the medical staff person will not attempt to influence your decision in any way. If you are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant, a reliable birth control method is the best way to reduce the risk of an unwanted pregnancy. Our medical staff will be happy to discuss all birth control options with you. Parenting
Every woman who becomes pregnant has the right to continue her pregnancy, regardless of her age, marital status or financial situation. If eligible, you can get financial and medical help from the State if you can not afford to provide for yourself and your child. Each pregnancy is different. Even though you may already have had a child, it is important to visit a doctor for prenatal care. Prenatal care gives you the best chance of having a healthy baby. If you think you are pregnant, you should talk with your health care provider before taking any medications. This may prevent some problems during pregnancy. Prenatal care includes:
Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region provides referrals to prenatal care services. Deciding if Parenting is Right for You Before you decide to become a parent, you should ask yourself these questions:
Deciding if Marriage is Right for You Before you decide to marry your partner, you should ask yourself these questions:
Adoption
Adoption is an alternative for you if you do not feel prepared to raise a child but do not want to have an abortion. Adoption is a legal process. This means that there are certain laws that must be followed. In an adoption you, the birth mother, give up all your rights and responsibilities as a parent. Once all the adoption procedures are completed, the decision is permanent and cannot be reversed. How Does the Adoption Process Work? Please note: Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region does not arrange private adoptions. However, we are happy to refer you to agencies in your area that can help you. Adoption is a legal process where parental rights are transferred from birth parent(s) to adoptive parents. This can be accomplished either through an adoption agency or privately, through a professional such as a lawyer or doctor. Whichever you choose, birth parents and adoptive parents are required by New York State law to have separate lawyers. This ensures that the lawyer who is giving you legal advice is focused on what is in your best interest, rather than the interests of the adoptive parents. Usually, there are no costs for the birth parents associated with the adoption. You will also be able to choose what type of adoption you would like to have.
There are many professionals who can help you get the answers to the questions you may have. They can include counselors, adoption agencies, lawyers, social workers and other professionals who have been specially trained to answer your questions. People who live in the 10-county region served by PPRSR may call our toll-free help line at 1-866-600-6886 to request referrals to area adoption agencies. Outside of our area, please call 1-800-230-PLAN to find a Planned Parenthood clinic nearest you, or go to http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ZIP.HTM. If you live in New York State, you can find a list of authorized adoption agencies by going to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services website. Deciding if Adoption is Right for You Making an adoption plan for your child is not an easy decision. Women arrange for an adoption for many different reasons. There are many couples who are unable to have a child of their own who would welcome the chance to raise an adopted child. Sometimes people who give up a child for adoption feel a sense of loss and wonder about the well being of the child. These feelings are very natural and should be discussed with an experienced counselor. Before you decide to put a child up for adoption, you should ask a yourself these questions:
Adoption Resources For additional information: Adoption Resource Network, Inc. Abortion
Unwanted pregnancies happen. Sometimes even the best birth control method fails. If you do not want to continue a pregnancy, you have the legal right to have an abortion. You may wish to discuss your situation and your feelings about abortion with your partner, parents or a friend. However, no one has the legal right to force you to have an abortion or prevent you from getting one. There are two types of abortion: surgical and medical. Surgical abortion is a simple surgical procedure when done early and under good medical conditions. It takes about 15-20 minutes and is usually done in a clinic or a doctor's office. Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region offers surgical abortions up to the first trimester of pregnancy. Medical abortion is an option within the first 8 weeks after the last menstrual period. It ends a pregnancy using particular drugs. You must be prepared to have a surgical abortion in the event that the medical abortion does not end the pregnancy. The staff at Planned Parenthood will be able to answer questions about types of abortions, fees and services available. If eligible, you may get financial help from the State if you cannot afford the cost of the abortion. Additional counseling for women considering abortion is also available at Planned Parenthood. Deciding if Abortion is Right for You Before you decide to have an abortion, you should ask yourself these questions:
Making Choices If your pregnancy is unwanted, you may feel alone, scared, guilty, angry or confused at a time when an important decision must be made. Many women of all ages and backgrounds have had to make the difficult choice between parenthood, adoption and abortion. You will make the best decision for yourself by being honest with yourself and remaining true to your own beliefs. You should consider your feelings as well as facts when you think about how this pregnancy will affect your life now and in the future. The choice is entirely up to you, but that doesn't mean you must be alone in making your decision. You may seek out the people who will support you: your partner, family, friends, clergy or a professional counselor. Planned Parenthood Believes:
Adapted from PPFA (www.plannedparenthood.org) and Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (www.ppgg.org) |
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