Adoption As a Pro-Life Option: The Joys & Challenges

Adoption can be a positive experience both for a birth mother and her child. Contrary to popular opinion, making an adoption plan doesn’t mean “giving up the child”. Rather, it’s an unselfish act that empowers a child to live life to the full and reach his or her potential. In fact, successful individuals such as Faith Hill, Jamie Foxx, Nicole Ritchie, and Steve Jobs were all adopted. Many have even spoken positively about the experience.

Benefits of Adoption

An unplanned pregnancy can put a huge strain on your emotional health and finances. It can completely change your life plans, especially if you’re still completing your education. If you have one or more children, you may not feel you’re up to caring for another. Abortion can seem like the simplest and easiest choice in such an instance. However, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t discount the many benefits of forming an adoption plan.

There are potential side effects if you have either a medical abortion or a surgical one. These include cramps, dizziness, diarrhea, and/or heavy bleeding. What’s more, an abortion can also take a toll on mental health. It can cause or exacerbate mental health issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse.

Women who carry a baby to term and put it up for adoption don’t have to worry about these health issues. They can usually receive free health care throughout the pregnancy as the adoptive parents (or the agency handling the adoption) can, in most states, cover medical expenses for the expecting mother. They may also cover costs such as temporary living expenses, groceries, maternity clothing/accessories, and travel expenses. Counseling can also be covered in most instances. You won’t have to struggle through your pregnancy alone as you’ll have the practical help, finances, and support you need.

Furthermore, as the birth mother, you make all the choices. You choose who will adopt your child. You can choose if you want an open adoption (that allows you to remain part of the child’s life) or a closed adoption. In either instance, you can trust that your child is being well cared for. You’ll know that he or she will be forever grateful that you chose to give him or her the gift of life.

Adoption is Always an Option

In almost all situations, adoption is a viable option. Your age, background, religion, location, and other factors don’t have any bearing on the adoption process. Furthermore, you’ll never have to worry about finding the right parents for your child. Recent estimates indicate that there are about two million couples in the United States currently waiting to adopt a child. You can find prospective parents of any age, ethnicity, religious orientation, culture, or sexual orientation. Adoption is an option for everyone.

Adoption vs Abortion

Abortion is final. You can’t change your mind about keeping the baby a few months down the line. What’s more, you may be handling things mostly on your own. Abortion clinics may not offer counseling or talk about your options. If you use medication to end the pregnancy, women are often on their own at home while their body expels the developing life from the womb. This could become a traumatizing experience, depending on how far along a woman may be.

If you choose adoption, you can change your mind about keeping the baby at any point during the pregnancy. The length of time after birth that a woman has to change her mind after making an adoption plan varies from state to state. What’s more, you’ll receive counseling and support throughout your pregnancy. This can help you make decisions you won’t regret later on.

Challenges of Adoption

Granted, adoption isn’t without its challenges. In some cases, adult adoptees decide they don’t want to get in touch with their birth parents. In other instances, birth mothers regret their decisions in later years as they wish they had kept the baby. That’s why counseling plays a vital role in any adoption process. Counseling doesn’t prevent problems. However, it does prepare mothers physically, emotionally, and mentally to deal with adoption challenges that may arise.

Joys of Adoption

Adoption comes with challenges. Nonetheless, it also comes with its own set of joys. If you choose an open adoption, you’ll get regular updates on how your child is doing. You’ll be able to see him or her grow, learn, and enjoy life, thanks to you. If you get on well with the birth parents, you may enjoy a lifelong friendship that will bring joy to all involved. If you choose a closed adoption, you’ll have peace as you move on with your life, knowing your child is in good hands.



Is adoption the best choice for your situation? That’s a question only you can answer. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. A nearby pregnancy resource center can offer free medical services and personal consultation to help you make informed decisions. Medical services include an ultrasound to confirm and date the pregnancy, and check for early pregnancy risks, like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Consultations cover pro-life adoption as well as information about abortion to help women understand what to expect from either choice. If you decide to keep the child and raise him or her yourself, a pregnancy resource center can help you apply for financial assistance and offer free baby supplies.

Caring Network helps equip women with the services and resources needed to choose life for their children – including through adoption! Our pregnancy resource centers are here to provide compassionate support to any woman navigating an unexpected pregnancy. To learn more about our mission and vision, or to partner with us in our vital work, reach out to us today!