Being pressured by your parents to get an abortion is extremely hard, especially if you’re still living at home. They may threaten to kick you out or not support you physically or financially. The most important thing to remember is no one can legally force you to make one pregnancy decision over another. There are resources and people who can help you.
Embrace’s team is ready to provide the care and assistance you need. Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment with an advocate.
Steps to Take to Assure Your Parents
It’s understandable that going against your parent’s wishes is easier said than done, but this is your pregnancy, and you have the right to choose. Here are a couple of suggestions that may help you:
Bring Them to Your Appointment
Schedule no-cost pregnancy testing at Embrace and bring your parents with you. If your test is positive, our technician provides a limited sonogram to confirm the viability of your pregnancy.
A viable pregnancy is developing with a detectable heartbeat. Experts estimate that as many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, so verifying your pregnancy is a vital step. Often, when a woman (and her parents) see the image on the sonogram screen, they feel differently about the pregnancy.
Learn About Your Options
Once you’ve confirmed your pregnancy is viable, an Embrace advocate can discuss your options. If you do not want to have an abortion, you have two other options: parenting or making an adoption plan. A team member can discuss the many resources available for both options.
Embrace is not a licensed child-placing agency, but can refer you to reputable adoption coordinators who can assist you. Adoption is not an easy choice. However, it allows you to choose the couple who will adopt your child and the future you hope your child will have.
Placing your child for adoption is a cost-free option. All of your medical and legal expenses are covered. In some cases, you may receive assistance for other pregnancy-related costs such as maternity clothes, food, rent, etc.
By choosing an open or semi-open adoption, you and your family can build a relationship with your child and their adoptive family.
If you choose to parent and your family still refuses to assist you, there are community resources that can help you. Embrace provides referrals for housing, medical, transportation, childcare, etc.
Embrace also offers no-cost parenting classes at both locations. You learn about prenatal care, childbirth, and parenting. You can earn material support by taking classes, such as diapers, wipes, formula, baby clothes, etc.
Let Embrace Help You
An Embrace team member is happy to talk with you and your parents or with you alone. Please reach out if you need support. Embrace is ready to help.
Fill out our confidential online contact form, and you’ll get a text back to schedule a time to talk. Remember, you are not alone.