You Are Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy in North Idaho: What Now?
Finding out that you have an unplanned pregnancy can be a bit of a shock. The reality may take a while to sink in but don’t panic. You may want to have answers right away about what to do, but that is not always easy to figure out. Just remember that you do have options.
Depending upon your situation, two options you should consider are raising your child with the help of your family, or placing the baby in an adoptive home of your choosing. If you live in North Idaho you can get help, support, and information about these options from Open Arms Real Choices Clinic.
Remember, you are not alone. Start by reaching out to someone who can help. We are here for you if you don’t have a trusted friend or family member. At Real Choices, we offer confidential appointments during which we can explain your options and help you take the next steps.
Parenting
It may surprise you, but many mothers and fathers learn to cope very well with an unplanned baby once they commit to moving in that direction. This adjustment can be even easier with support from family, friends, or a co-parent. If you would like to explore this option, consider talking to someone you trust who may be sympathetic to your situation. Share that you are considering raising the baby and ask whether they would be willing to help—and in what ways.
If you and your baby’s father are both involved, co-parenting can play a vital role in providing a stable, supportive environment for your child. Open, respectful communication and shared responsibilities can ease the challenges of parenting while allowing both parents to stay actively involved in their child’s life.
If you feel unsure of your own abilities, Open Arms Real Choices Clinic offers life skills courses to help prepare you. These courses cover essential topics such as:
✅ Effective Communication – Learn how to express your needs clearly and listen to your co-parent or partner.
✅ Sharing Responsibilities – Discover strategies to divide parenting duties and work as a team.
✅ Co-Parenting Success – Gain insights into building a positive co-parenting relationship, even if you are no longer in a romantic partnership.
✅ Conflict Resolution – Develop skills to navigate disagreements in a healthy and productive way.
You will also have the opportunity to learn about the realities of parenthood, including the emotional, financial, and relational challenges you may face. Our goal is to equip you with the tools to care for your baby—and yourself—so that your family can thrive, no matter your circumstances.
Adoption
Sometimes, raising the baby in the family is not possible. In these cases, adoption may be your best choice. This could be the case if you’re still very young, or you don’t have the financial or emotional means to cope with a child. While you wait for your baby to arrive, you can think about the circumstances under which you are willing to consider adoption.
Many young women do not realize this, but the birth mother has a lot of control over the terms of the adoption. Some parents only feel comfortable placing their baby if they can pick the parents, and also retain the ability to be involved in the child’s life. Others would like a confidential adoption, which allows the mother to remain anonymous. There are lots of other details that can be worked out so that the situation is one that you are comfortable with. We can help you research the possibilities, and then you and your partner can decide together.
Taking Care of Your Unborn Child
After thinking about your options, take the necessary steps to protect both your health and your unborn child’s health. If you drink alcohol, smoke, or take any type of recreational drugs, stop right away. Not only are these habits unhealthful for you, but they can be harmful to the baby. Speak to your doctor about any medications you take that can affect your child. You should also start taking prenatal vitamins, which contain sufficient amounts of folic acid, an essential nutrient that is important for your child’s development.
If you feel unusually stressed or depressed during your pregnancy, seek professional help. Not only is your life-changing, but many of your body’s hormonal changes can affect your mood. Don’t let money stop you from seeking help; there are resources available for low-income families. At Real Choices, we offer free pregnancy-related services and can assist you in determining which services are available to you.
Finding out that you’re pregnant can cause a lot of emotions, especially if you are not planning on having a baby or you feel you are not ready. The best way forward is to get as much information as you can about all your choices, talk to caring lay counselors, and think carefully about your options. Contact us at Open Arms Real Choices Clinic to make an appointment to find out more about parenting, adoption, and building strong family relationships.
