Resources
Options
You are probably being bombarded by well-meaning people - such as family and friends - who are offering their opinion as to what would be best for you in your current situation. We want you to know that we understand where you are coming from and many of us at the Back Porch have been in similar situations. We know the pressure from that comes from concerned people but ultimately it is you who has to make the decision, and you who has to live with it. We want you to make the right choice.
Abortion
This is often the first (and sometime the only) option presented to you. Many will say it is a simple and easy procedure to eliminate your current “problem”. This is not true. Abortion is often called “pregnancy termination.” However, pregnancy means you are carrying within you a new life, a human being, your child. Abortion ends that life.
If you have booked an abortion appointment, please ask yourself these questions:
Do you know what kind of abortion you will have? The type of abortion is determined by the stage of your pregnancy. The most common procedure is performed between 6 and14 weeks and is called Suction Curettage. This is a surgical procedure. With any surgical procedure you must have all the information before you sign any consent papers and you must understand what you are signing. This is why counseling (outside of the abortion clinic) before the abortion is essential to making an informed choice.
Here’s what happens in a suction curettage procedure:
Because you are pregnant your cervix naturally tightens to prevent a miscarriage. The doctor must stretch the cervix by dilating it, usually with metal rods or laminaria. Once the cervix is dilated, the doctor will insert a hard plastic surgical tube into your uterus. This tube connects to a suction machine which is 4 times more powerful than your home vacuum. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the uterus. The doctor may then use a curette (a loop-shaped knife) to scrape the uterus to make sure all fetal parts are removed. It is dangerous for your health to have any fetal parts left in your body as it may cause infection or the tiny bones may perforate your uterus.
Abortion is irreversible. If you have had an abortion and are experiencing difficulty, either physically or emotionally, please seek help. See post abortion. If you’d like to set up an appointment to speak with a Back Porch volunteer who has experienced abortion please phone 780-421-9941.
Parenting
Parenting is not an easy job, especially if you are a single parent, but it can be very rewarding. Yes, your life will have to change, but consider this: Your life changed the moment you became pregnant. Your choice now consists in making the right decision for yourself and your baby. There are many support groups and agencies to help you. There are excellent free parenting programs you can take before you have your baby. You can receive financial aid, housing, clothing etc. We can refer you to these agencies and support groups. The Back Porch has volunteers who can share their experience of choosing to carry through with an unplanned pregnancy. To set up an appointment to speak with one of them call 780-421-9941.
Adoption
Many women say they could never choose adoption. This is unfortunate since it may be the most loving choice you can make for your baby. There are hundreds of loving couples and families waiting to adopt a baby. Many women are unaware that adoption has changed dramatically. Closed adoptions, in which the birth parent gives up the baby and never hears anything about the child again, are extremely rare. In Alberta, all adoptions are now considered to be “open.” This means you have access to information about your child and the adoptive family after the adoption. Adoptive parents go through careful screening and undergo a rigorous process in order to become your child’s parents. The Back Porch has volunteers with experience from both sides, that is, choosing adoption when they became pregnant, or adopting a baby. To set up a time to speak with either one, call 780-421-9941. The Back Porch also has a great adoption referral called “Adoption Options,” a private organization that allows you to choose who you want to adopt your baby. The counselors are compassionate and friendly and focus on you and your needs as well as those of your child. Call 780-433-5656 or 1-800-770-3023 to set up an appointment. Click here to visit Adoption Options’ website.
