Unplanned Pregnancy and Adoption

Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy?

You are not alone.

In a recent study, 51% of pregnancies in the United States were found to be unplanned.

While you have many options,adoption is a very positive choice.

Everyone’s situation is different and there are manyquestions to ask yourself when considering adoption. Are you ready to raise a child both emotionally and financially? Can you provide your child the life he or she deserves? Can you still fulfill your own goals in life?

You are the best person to make these important decisions.

The majority of adopted children have enriching experiences in their families, and are more likely to have some of these positive experiences

than children in the general population.

ADOPTED NON-ADOPTED

48%

59%

81%

68%

73%

85%

likelihood to beread to every day

sung to or toldstories every day

participate inextracurricular activities

Nearly 9O% of adoptive parents said they would “definitely” make the same decision to adopt their child, knowing everything then that they now know about their child.

When facing an unplanned pregnancy, it is extremely beneficial for you to find support of loved ones. Often, trusted family and friends are the best means of that aid, if you are comfortable sharing your situation with them.

How to tell Family & Friends

If it is possible, we encourage you to engage the birthfather in making an adoption plan for your baby.

Telling and Involving the Birthfather

Understanding the Financial Cost of Parenting

Understanding Adoption Laws

How to Make an Adoption Plan

WHO: Who is going to be there for you emotionally, physically, and financially? More significantly, who is going to be supportive of your decision? You do not have to tell anyone—it is also okay to keep your decision private.

WHEN: There is no “right” time to tell family and friends, so decide on a time that makes sense for you. This may mean telling friends and family during the pregnancy, after the birth, or even after the placement if you choose adoption.

HOW:Be direct in the delivery of your message, and prepared for a reaction.

A middle-income family with a child born in 2O13 can expect to spend $245,34O for food, housing, childcare and education, and other child-rearing expenses up to age 18.

It is important to remember that the birthparents have rights in all decisions made for their child.

Each state has its own adoption laws, so it is important to talk to experts who are knowledgeable in the specific laws related to your state.

If you are considering adoption, there are several specific next steps to pursue:

Connect with adoption professionals. Gather as much information as you can. There are professionals to assist you in making this important decision.

If you wish, you can choose the family for your child.

DECIDE ON THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOUThe right plan is the plan with which

you feel most comfortable, and it should always be your choice.

CLOSED ADOPTIONA closed adoption is a more confidential, option, in which you remain anonymous. Your identity will be protected by the agency, that is our legal agreement to you.Also, if you choose to have a closed adoption, you have the freedom to open it at a later date.

OPEN ADOPTIONAn open adoption plan gives you the freedom of getting to know the adoptive family. More significantly, it allows you to maintain contact with them and the child. You define the relationship.

An average infant goes through 1OO diapers a week, leading a family to spend anywhere between $6OO - $1,OOO on diapers a year.

At Adoptions With Love, 8O% of our birth fathers are involved in making an adoption plan for the child.

BANK

3O% Housing

16% Food

14% Transportation

6% Clothing

8% Health Care

18% Child Care& Education

8% Misc.

Daycare, alone,costs an average of about

$11,666 annually. If you work4O hours a week, you can expect

nearly $6 of your hourly payto go to daycare costs.

Levels of satisfaction concerningcontact in open adoptions:

Our Promise to You

87%Satisfied

Adopted Persons

94%SatisfiedMothers

85%SatisfiedFathers

We understand that everyone has unique challenges when facing an unplanned pregnancy. At Adoptions With Love, you will never be alone. Do not hesitate to call us

at any stage of your pregnancy. We have the resources, experts, and love necessary to help you navigate through this journey now and in the future.

For more information about Adoptions With Love, please call us toll-free, 24/7 at 1-8OO-722-7731. You can also confidentially text us at 1-617-777-OO72.

Sources:http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/StateUP10.pdf

http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/09/NSAP/chartbook/chartbook.cfm?id=8http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/expenditures_on_children_by_families/crc2013.pdf

http://www.njarch.org/images/2012_03_OpennessInAdoption%20(2).pdfhttps://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/documents/439-452_PM0000_CH39.pdf