What are my options?
Pregnancy can be a time of joy; however, when it is unplanned or complicated by strained relationships, family tensions, poor timing, health concerns, financial difficulties, and school or career pressures, it can be confusing. The stress and anxiety of an unplanned pregnancy can make it difficult to think clearly. It's hard to imagine the future and the impact this one decision will have on your life. At Parkridge, we can help you sort things out so you can decide with a clear mind. There are basically 4 options for you: getting married and co-parenting the child, single parenting, placing your child for adoption, or having an abortion. Before you decide, you have the right to have as much information as possible. We can provide you with facts about fetal development, abortion techniques and abortion risks, adoption procedures, pregnancy, parenting, and healthy relationships. This is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. Despite the stress-you need to weigh your alternatives. Before you choose, carefully consider the options based on information, not just emotion. Use your head to guide your heart. None of the choices is easy. Let Parkridge help. We can provide you with accurate information and free and confidential counseling.


What should I know about abortion?
Abortion is a very important medical procedure that can affect your health. It could affect the rest of your life. If you are pregnant, you are ultimately the one that will have to make the decision and live with the outcome. Make your decision only after you have found answers to these commonly asked questions. The right to choose includes the right to know. Those who are considering abortion often ask questions such as-What will happen to me during an abortion? What are the different types of abortion? Will it hurt? What does the fetus look like right now? What can he or she do? Can he or she feel pain? What legal rights do I have before & after an abortion? Can anyone force me to have an abortion? What are the possible physical complications and emotional consequences following an abortion? What other alternatives do I have? Parkridge Pregnancy Center can help find answers to these questions.

The choices that you face today with an unplanned pregnancy are complex and carry with them a whole set of issues that you are better off knowing about at the outset rather than finding out too late. The right to choose includes the right to know. You need to know that currently there are 9 different types of abortion. The abortion procedure used depends upon the stage of pregnancy and the size of the baby. You should also be aware that as a result of abortion, the following physical complications could occur: excessive bleeding, infection, perforation of the uterus, cervical lacerations, increased risk for future miscarriages and sterility, and increased risk for breast cancer. In addition, after an abortion, many women experience one or more of the following emotional consequences, some of which might take several years to surface: guilt, long-term grief reactions, anxiety, anger, flashbacks, anniversary reactions, broken relationships, denial and depression. Many doctors who perform abortions seldom warn women of the possible consequences, which is a serious violation of medical ethics. You have a right to be informed of all of your options and any other information that might affect your decision, but if you don't ask, you may forfeit that right. Don't be intimidated. After all, it is your body, and you will suffer the effects if anything goes wrong. It's your choice-just make sure that you can live with that choice for the rest of your life.


Should I consider adoption?
Parkridge Pregnancy Center is committed to serving you, as well as your family and your partner if you are seeking help in making decisions about an unplanned pregnancy. Placing your child for adoption is a positive, life-giving choice you can make for your child. Adoption is a legal procedure that places a child with adoptive parents who raise the child as a member of their own family. The child legally becomes a permanent member of the adoptive family. Sometimes a birth parent isn't ready to raise a child. Adoptive parents may be better equipped to provide the permanence and security that children need. It is not selfish to consider adoption. It's not selfish to choose what is best for you and your baby. Wanting to provide a secure family for your child shows your love and maturity because you realize the importance of raising a child in a loving family situation. Adoption agencies have long lists of couples who are unable to have children and who are ready to love and raise a child. Today adoptions can be done on an open or semi-open basis where the birth mother can have contact with the child or receive pictures and written updates regarding the child's life. Authorities estimate that 15 to 20 loving couples wait for every healthy infant available, and many families are waiting to adopt babies who are born with handicaps. Many couples wait up to 6 years for a "chosen child." Some wait forever. . . Let us give you information about all of your options. You make all the decisions, but we can help answer some of your questions.


What about single parenting?
When you are faced with decisions involving an unplanned pregnancy, there are no easy choices. At Parkridge, we are committed to providing you with complete and accurate information on each of your options. Parenting is a huge but rewarding responsibility. To choose to parent is to choose to fully invest yourself in the life of another, for the sake of the other. Most find parenting to be an even bigger blessing than they originally thought it would be, but they also find it to be more challenging than they imagined it would be. As with any life-changing decision, you must ask yourself several questions. A few of those questions are: Do I have an adequate support system to raise this child? Do I have the resources to support a child financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually? Could I handle a child and a job and/or school at the same time? What are my personal life goals and how would a child fit into that plan? and Am I willing to learn what it takes to be a good parent? There are programs that will allow you to continue your school and still parent, and there is also financial assistance for many situations. Some organizations even provide job referrals for single moms. Many organizations, such as ours, provide parenting classes and material assistance. In an unplanned pregnancy, no decision looks perfect and each decision has consequences that will affect you and your unborn child. But choices don't have to be made alone-we're here to help you in the decision-making process.


What about marriage?
Unplanned pregnancies often lead to the question of marriage, but commitment is often a missing ingredient in many marriages today. A good question to ask is, "Would we be getting married if I were not pregnant?" Other questions you need to answer are: At this time in my life, do I have what it takes to be a good husband or wife? If we marry, can we both finish school? Do we have enough money to support a family? Do we have similar goals? Do I want to marry to escape a bad situation? Are we ready to commit our lives to each other and our baby? Marriage is not necessarily the solution of all problems. It may, in fact, create problems. Being married to the wrong person can be much worse than not being married. The pressure may be great to make a quick decision, but Parkridge is here to help you with lifelong decisions.


At Parkridge Pregnancy Center we recognize that women have a right to make their own decisions about the outcome of their pregnancy. We exist to help women make an informed and thoughtful decision. The information provided on this website is not intended to diagnose any condition or pregnancy and should not take the place of your medical practitioner. Consult your physician with any medical questions you might have. The information and services are provided with the understanding that neither Parkridge Pregnancy Center nor its suppliers or users are engaged in rendering legal, medical, counseling or other professional services or advice.


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