Indiana Adoption Lawyers at Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C.
Offering Help and Advice to Pregnant Teens
If you find out you are pregnant, you may be very unsure about what to do. Your only clues may come from what you have seen on television or heard from your friends. You might not have even told anyone yet: not your friends, not the baby's father and not your parents. Maybe you have seen the movie "Juno" and identify with Juno's feelings when she learns she is "preggo."
Our experience in working with thousands of teens and women with unplanned pregnancies has given us insight into your situation. Our job is not to tell you what to do: We would like to offer a few things to consider as you decide what to do.
Getting the Support You Need
While it may be hard to tell the people you love - your family and closest friends - that you are pregnant, it often is best. Even though they may be disappointed or angry at first, you will need their support as you consider your options and decide your next steps.
Part of our experience at Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., is talking with the parents of pregnant teens, and if you think your parents would want to learn about your options, we are happy to meet with all of you. Contact us or call us at 866-469-9200 to set up a confidential, no-pressure meeting.
Telling the Father... Or Not?
Depending on your relationship with your baby's father, you may not want to tell him that you are pregnant. If you are not married to the father, Indiana law does not require that you do, but it may still be a good idea, so that you can share in making these important decisions together. If father does not want to be involved, the support of your family becomes even more important.
Your Important Decision
When you have a surprise or unplanned pregnancy and are a teenager, you have several options:
- You can have your baby and be a parent
- You can have an abortion
- You can have your baby and place your child for adoption
Nothing can change the fact that you are pregnant, not even abortion. If you are not be ready to be a parent, however - perhaps you still have high school and college in your future -adoption may be a positive alternative.
When discussing adoption, some use the phrase "giving your child up" or "putting a child up for adoption." We prefer "making an adoption plan", because adoption involves a committed, mature decision to provide a supportive, healthy home for your baby. We think teens who choose adoption are heroes ; they give their children life with a good family, putting their children's lives over their own.
Adoption is not for every mother: It requires a mature, sophisticated decision and the ability to look further down the road than just nine months. If you want to learn more in a free, no-pressure meeting, contact Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C., or call us anytime at 866-469-9200. Attorneys Steve and Joel Kirsh will travel to meet you, wherever you are.
