Abortion Vs. Adoption: Which Is Right for Me?

If you think you could be unexpectedly pregnant, it’s understandable that you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Rest assured, as we analyze the different considerations of abortion vs. adoption to help you have a better understanding of each unplanned pregnancy option. 

If making a choice to parent sounds daunting right now, you may be considering your other options, including abortion or adoption.  You need to know a few things about each option before making your choice. 

What is Abortion, and How Does It Work? 

While taking a pill may seem easy, abortion is a medical procedure that has associated potential risks and side effects. Be confident you know all that it entails before making your next steps. 

There are two methods of abortion – the method medically indicated depends on a number of factors in your unique pregnancy situation, most importantly, how far along you are. 

How Does the Abortion Pill Work? 

The abortion pill, also known as medical or medication abortion, is actually a process that involves taking two separate doses of medication: mifepristone and misoprostol.

The first dose, mifepristone, is taken first and stops the body from producing the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which prevents the fetus from growing and causes the pregnancy to detach from the uterus.

Then, after several hours or sometimes up to a day or two later, misoprostol – the second dose – is taken, causing the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy and remaining tissue through the vagina. 

The following are potential physical risks of the abortion pill as listed by the Mayo Clinic: 

• Incomplete abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding 
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort
• An ongoing pregnancy, if the procedure doesn’t work

What Is A Surgical Abortion? 

For terminating pregnancies later than 10 weeks gestational age, an in-clinic procedure known as surgical abortion is medically required.

In a surgical abortion, a doctor opens (or dilates) the cervix using medication or a medical instrument and removes the tissue by scraping or lightly suctioning it out of the uterus using medical tools.  

Surgical abortion has the following risks:

• Damage to the cervix
• Scar tissue on the uterine wall
• Infection
• Fever 
• Severe cramping 
• Perforation (tearing or puncture) of the uterus
• Excessive bleeding

As you make your pregnancy decision, it is wise to consider the effects that abortion may have on your whole-person health, including your mental health. Some women may not experience any effects, however, it is common for women to report negative psychological or mental health effects after an abortion experience, and some have quoted experiencing abortion-specific PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). 

What Is Adoption and How Does It Work? 

Deciding to form an adoption plan is also not an easy choice and can often be a hard and emotional road. However, adoption has the potential to be a very rewarding option that can provide a healthy and happy future for both you and your child. 

It’s worth noting that adoption has changed a lot in recent years. In today’s adoption process, birth parents have more control over the adoption process and can select a plan that is most healthy for them. You can expect a couple of common elements in the process of making an adoption plan: 

• You may browse through books of family profiles to select an adoptive family to parent your child. 
• You may choose to talk with and maybe even meet the potential adoptive family before the birth.
• You can determine how often you want to visit your child and/or receive updates and photos. (An agreement on this could be made official through the agency or a lawyer.)
• You might receive financial help through an adoption agency or lawyer while pregnant to help pay for rent, medical costs, and food.
• You can have some peace of mind knowing that your child is growing up and receiving stability and care in your chosen family. 

Three Types of Adoption

Most adoption plans today are categorized as open, closed, or semi-open. 

1. Open adoption plans involve open communication – allowing you and the adoptive family to remain in contact. This can be comforting to you as the birth parent by having knowledge of your child’s well-being and growth within the stability of the adoptive family. 

      2. On the other hand, in closed adoptions, your information as the birth parent is kept private. No contact is maintained between the birth parents and the adoptive family. 

      3. In semi-open adoptions, there is some measure of contact in a sort of happy medium option. A lawyer or the adoption agency typically facilitates the degree or frequency of contact. 

As you consider abortion vs. adoption, it is important to consider that making an adoption plan can have some emotional effects. In the long-term, adoption could be the healthiest choice for you. But, it’s also good to prepare in the short-term for feelings of grief, uncertainty, or sadness… and on the other hand, also feelings of relief, joy, or security. It is good to be aware of the fact that there is also much more online support for birth moms today than ever before.

Schedule Your Free Appointment To Navigate Your Options

At Life Line Pregnancy Center, we’re here to answer questions, and provide information about your available options. Schedule your free appointment today to get the support you need.