If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy and you're not sure what your options are, a good place to start is finding out for sure if you're pregnant. One of the first steps in determining your options is finding out how far along you are in your pregnancy. There are a number of free and low cost options available to women who think they're pregnant but want to be sure. You can start by looking in the Yellow Pages of your local phone book or Googling "Crisis Pregnancy Center".

Pregnancy, under the best of circumstances, can trigger a number of physical as well as psychological and emotional reactions in women. It's a good idea to speak to a counselor or therapist who can help you cope with the issues you're facing as well as help you make informed decisions regarding your pregnancy.

Some of the questions you might have right now could be:

Who can I talk to about my options? What are some of the things I should consider when deciding what option works best for me, my family and my unborn child?

• If I decide to terminate my pregnancy, how will that impact me?

• If I decide to parent my child, are there resources available to help me in my area?

• If I decide to explore adoption, who can help me understand my rights and the laws in my state?

Here are the answers to the questions above. Remember, you may have additional questions that aren't represented here, but that's okay. There are professionals who can help you sort through your feelings and address your individual questions as they come up.

Who can I talk to about my options?

There are a number of places where you can find resources to help you make the best and most informed decision possible for your pregnancy.

• Crisis pregnancy centers generally offer free or low cost pregnancy tests and information about abortion, adoption and parenting. Most Crisis Pregnancy Centers are funded by and run by faith based organizations and staffed with volunteers from the community.

• Family planning clinics offer services only to women, such as annual exams, birth control options and sexually transmitted disease testing. They also offer information on pregnancy and the resources available in your community regarding your options.

• Adoption agencies are a great resource if you've already researched your options and are considering adoption as a viable plan for your unplanned pregnancy. They can generally advise you on the laws of your state and provide support (where allowable by law) for expenses and medical care.

Regardless of the path you take to learning more about your options, it is important to remember that a counselor should always treat you with respect and courtesy. It is possible that you'll talk to a counselor who has strong feelings about your options. They my be unsupportive of abortion, adoption or parenting. It's important for you to look out for your own best interest and ensure that the professional you are working with is able to support your decision.

Some questions you may want to ask are:

• If I feel I cannot carry my pregnancy to term, how will you help me?

• If I decide to take care of my baby myself, how will you help me do that?

• If I want to place my baby for adoption, will you help me find an adoption agency or attorney who will listen to what I think is right for us?

If you don't feel supported by the professional you're working with or you feel they are unable to provide you with information and resources regarding the options you're considering, you are well within your rights to find another professional to work with.

What are some of the things I should consider when deciding what option works best for me, my family and my unborn child?

The decision to place a child for adoption is a difficult one. Remember, adoption is permanent. The adoptive parents you choose will raise your child and have legal authority for his or her welfare. You need to think about these questions as you make your decision. In the end, no one can make this decision for you. You need to arm yourself with information and resources that will help you make a fully educated decision that works best for you and your family.

If I decide to terminate my pregnancy, how will that impact me?

There is no real firm answer to this question. Some women have been impacted greatly by their experience with pregnancy termination, while others have had no problem at all moving forward with their lives after such a traumatic event. Finding the answer to this question is one of the main reasons why we suggest you seek out and speak with a professional. Coming to terms with how you might react to going through a pregnancy termination is just one of the many steps you will need to take when exploring your options.

If I decide to parent my child, are there resources available to help me in my area?

This is a great question to ask a local family planning clinic or crisis pregnancy center. They are normally familiar with the resources available in your community and they can direct you to the best place to find the help you need in the area interests you.

If I decide to explore adoption, who can help me understand my rights and the laws in my state?

Adoption agencies and adoption attorneys will be able to help you learn more about and understand the laws in your state regarding adoption. There are some key questions you'll want to ask, to ensure you've got a full understanding of what is and is not allowed in your state.

• Is open adoption a legally binding agreement between the birth and adoptive families or is it a moral agreement with no legal standing?
• If I decide to make an adoption plan, how will my medical bills be handled?
• What are the laws regarding the Termination of Parental Rights in my state? (How soon can I terminate my rights? How long do I have to revoke my consent?)

Learn more about the different types of adoption on the next page.

Need a Home Study?