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ABORTION ● FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. My parent(s) will kill me if they find out I'm pregnant.
2. My parent(s) will kick me out of the house.
3. My parents are forcing me to have an abortion.
4. My boyfriend will leave me if I have this baby.
5. I'm so embarrassed, what will everyone think?
6. I've got my whole life ahead of me. A baby doesn't fit into my plans right now.
7. I'm not ready to be a mother.
8. What's the big deal? It's not a
baby yet
9. I don't want to end up on welfare. I
need to finish my education.
10. An abortion seems so much easier than pregnancy. I just want to get this over with.
11. I don't have medical insurance.
13. The doctor said there might be something wrong with the baby.
14. I just had a baby. I can't have another one right now.
15. Everyone around me thinks abortion is the best idea.
16. I wish I could have this baby, but I don't know where to go for help.
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Yes, your parents will be upset and disappointed, but they will probably not kill you. After the initial shock, they will most likely come to terms with the situation. They may even become an invaluable source of support. Usually, we see that the grandparents-to-be are excited about the baby as the due date approaches. If you are afraid to tell your parents, a peer counselor from one of our centers can work with you to determine the best way to break the news.
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If your parents really do kick you out, we can help you find another place to stay while you are expecting. There are also many fully equipped maternity homes with young women staying there that are in your same situation. The maternity home will assist you with prenatal care, parenting or adoption education, counseling, and many other needs you may have. Contact our center for a referral to a home near you.
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Legally, no one can force you to have an abortion. In fact, forcing a minor to have an abortion is child abuse. If you tell the doctor that someone else is forcing you into this decision, he or she will not perform the abortion.
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It takes two to make a baby, so both you and your boyfriend have a responsibility in this pregnancy and should make a decision based on what is best for you, your boyfriend and your baby. If a guy is going to leave you because of a pregnancy, this raises some serious questions about your relationship.
Choosing abortion does put you at risk, make sure your man understands what this involves. Many times, men are initially opposed to keeping a baby but have a change of heart as the pregnancy progresses.
We encourage both you and your partner to talk with a pregnancy counselor about your decision. Guys, read more about your options from a male-perspective.
If things end up not working out in your relationship, because of pregnancy or not, your boyfriend will still be legally required to pay child support after the baby is born. |
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Unfortunately, you may be embarrassed when people find out you are pregnant. This is understandable, but abortion can cause a greater emotional impact than embarrassment. In today’s society seeing a pregnant, unwed woman is not uncommon. Remember abortion is a final decision that can stay with you the rest of your life, but the influence of what everyone thinks will fade in time.
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6. I've got my whole life ahead of me.
A baby doesn't fit into my plans right now.
If you are already pregnant, a decision has to be made. No matter when you decide to have a child there will be trade-offs and sacrifices to make. It's impossible to predict the future. Abortion isn’t the only choice available to avoid becoming
a parent right now. You may want to consider an
adoption plan.
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It is true that parenthood requires more responsibility, but if you are pregnant you are already a mother. You are being responsible for the child inside of you by the way you treat your body now. The real question is, "How do I treat this child that I have already participated in creating" |
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Although the unborn child does not have legal rights under the law, the fetus is very alive. By the sixth week of pregnancy the heart has started beating. By eight weeks brain waves can be measured. By twelve weeks the child can and does cry, though silently. By sixteen weeks the baby's movements can be felt by the mother. Many women bond with their unborn children long before they are born and feel a great sense of loss after an abortion. Learn more about fetal development. |
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10. An abortion seems so much easier than pregnancy. I just want to get this over with. |
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The abortion procedure is quick, but the effects can last a lifetime. In our experience, we find that every woman has a different response to having an abortion. For some, common after effects may include depression, nightmares, guilt, low self-esteem, regret, avoidance of babies, and even self-destructive behaviors. For others, they make the subconscious choice to no longer feel anything. Many dating relationships do not survive an abortion. Read more about health risks. |
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It's not too late to get coverage for your prenatal care and delivery. CPC is a medical facility and we offer FREE 1st and 2nd trimester prenatal care for uninsured, low-risk clients. If you are unemployed, a student, or otherwise have little income, you will most likely qualify for Medi-Cal (California residents).
We have someone on site that can assist you in the application and qualification process to obtain insurance. You may even be able to obtain private insurance if you apply early in pregnancy. If you are not a U.S. citizen, there are still some public funds you may be able to access.
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Having a baby will increase your budget regardless of how thrifty you are. For this reason, CPC offers maternity clothes, baby clothes, and baby equipment & furniture to any woman who needs it at no charge. Read more about our Services. Programs like WIC help women and their children obtain healthy foods at no cost. Relatives are often eager to buy infant clothes and other goods, especially if this is the first baby in the family for a long time.
Obviously, your financial situation is a factor in the decision you’re facing. Many women find that making an adoption plan relieves them from the financial burden of having a baby while still choosing life.
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13. The doctor said there might be something wrong with the baby. |
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While most prenatal tests can reasonably predict a problem, they don't usually give insight as to the severity of the problem. The problem may be very minor. Sometimes such tests are wrong and the child is completely healthy. And even if the disorder is severe, the value of a human being is not dependent on the health or attractiveness of that individual. Handicapped children deserve a chance at life just as anyone else.
A disabled child is still able to love and be loved, and to make a special contribution to your family. Depending on your outlook, this child can be a blessing to you and others. You will probably need support to continue your pregnancy under such circumstances.
Call our center for a referral to organizations made up of parents who have continued pregnancies under similar circumstances. Nonetheless, if you feel unable to raise a child with special needs, there are adoption agencies which can place such children in loving homes. Call CPC to discuss your situation. |
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If you have just recently given birth, it can be a tremendous shock to find that you are pregnant again. But having just been pregnant, you can understand more than anyone just how fantastic it is to have a small child developing and growing within you.
Two babies close together is a real challenge for even the most experienced mother, but in a few years the children will entertain each other giving you more time later on. Having another baby can be invaluable to the child you have now and will soon be precious to you too.
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Although your friends, relatives, and partner may all feel
abortion is the best choice, you are the only one who can make the final decision. You are
ultimately responsible for your actions and will have to live with the consequences of your choice.
An abortion is never easy to forget. You can read the information on our
post-abortion page for more
details on what people have experienced after their abortion.
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16. I wish I could have this baby, but I don't know where to go for help. |
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If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and are interested in alternatives to abortion help is available. At CPC you can speak to a peer counselor who understands your situation and can offer practical solutions for you. Also, you can read information under physical health risks of abortion to learn more about the abortion option. |
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Community Pregnancy Centers provide peer counseling and accurate information on all pregnancy options; however we do not provide or refer for abortions. |