What to do about an unplanned pregnancy is an important and common decision. In fact, about half of all people who can become pregnant in the U.S. have an unplanned pregnancy at some point in their lives. Some common reasons for choosing adoption include:

• Not feeling ready to be a parent.

• Being unable to afford to raise a baby.

• Feeling that raising a baby now would make it too difficult to achieve educational or professional goals.

• Not wanting to be a single parent.

• Feeling too young or too immature to raise a child.

• Believing adoption is the best chance for the child to be well-cared for financially and emotionally.

Every situation is different, and only you can decide what is best in your case. If you're trying to decide if adoption is the right option for you, you may find it helpful to list the advantages and disadvantages and think about which of these factors are most important to you. Consider how you feel and what you think about adoption, what you want for your life and for your family or future family. You may want to discuss your list with your partner, someone in your family, a friend, a religious adviser, or a counselor. 

Some people start making an adoption plan early in their pregnancy. Others begin it later in pregnancy. Some begin the adoption process at the hospital after the baby is born. During your pregnancy, you have the right to decide on adoption and change your mind later. If you choose adoption, you will have to sign official "relinquishment papers." In Rhode Island, termination of rights or consent to adoption may not be executed sooner than 15 days after the child's birth. In almost all states, termination of rights or consent to adoption cannot be completed until after a baby is born. This means that you can consider and research adoption throughout your pregnancy, even to the point of selecting a potential adoptive family, without making an irrevocable commitment.

The laws in your state will govern who you can and can not work with. Currently, all fifty states allow children to be placed using a licensed child placing agency (adoption agency). Contacting an adoption agency or adoption attorney in your area to find out more about what is and isn't allowed should be your first step. Once you've discovered what is allowed by law, you can then make a better decision regarding the professional you decide to use. 

You may feel some grief after the adoption is complete. Or you may be reassured by knowing that your child is in good hands. A range of emotions is normal. And your feelings may be complicated for a while.

It's a good idea to find counseling to help you work through your feelings. This can be important during the adoption process as well as afterward. If you work with an adoption agency, they can often provide counseling for you. If you have an independent adoption, you can still receive counseling and guidance through a local adoption agency. Brown students can receive help from Counseling and Psychological Services (401.863-3476). No matter which type of adoption you pursue, it's important to find people who will support you during and after your pregnancy.