Crisis Pregnancy

I'll admit it: I'm a fan of the show Glee. I may be well out of the target demographic for the show but having been a musical theater dork in high school, it hits a soft spot in my heart. Add in jazzy music numbers, men who can sing and some hilarious exchanged and I am a fan for life. Except for that whole pregnant teen issue. It's not the pregnant teen that has me feeling icky. Teenagers get pregnant whether they're taught about safe sex methods or members of an abstinence club like Quinn, the character in the show who is pregnant. What has left me feeling icky are all of the dramatic issues surrounding her pregnancy. Let's take a brief look.

1. She's

If you are considering relinquishment, you may be working with an adoption agency. Adoption agencies can be a great tool to use when seeking out potential adoptive parents for your child. They can also hinder the process in certain ways. I always talk about the absolute need to find an ethical adoption agency. However, I want you to consider something very important that isn't really an ethical matter but more of a business matter. That sounds awful, doesn't it? That the placement of your baby would be likened to that of a business transaction? Unfortunately, to too many agencies, it comes down to that. Even if you remove the money from the equation, the truth is that some social workers and agency workers… [more]

While reading books about pregnancy is vital to your journey, reading and learning about adoption is important if you are even remotely considering relinquishment. It's hard to know where to start. Unfortunately many books on the subject are outdated but don't come with a warning that says, "This book no longer applies to adoption as we know it." I can think of three books that are recent and relevant. 1. The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler. Presenting readers with a multi-birthmother account of the Baby Scoop Era, this book is a necessary read for anyone touched by adoption. Some people try to dismiss it as history and, as such, unimportant for people dealing with current issues. Not the case… [more]

If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, it can be scary and sometimes unsettling. For some, it is a place full of confusion. But, it doesn’t have to be. It can be a time of self-understanding, self-acceptance, and introspection. It is a time to delve into and analyze how you see your life a few months and then a few years down the road. In order to fully comprehend and make an informed decision, here are some things you can do: Take Time for Yourself: First things first. Take time to think and to feel. Find an empty, quiet place to do this. Take as much time as you need. The first step is to accept that you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Once… [more]

Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy is no excuse to go through the duration of pregnancy unprepared. In fact, going into labor without knowing what to expect is probably a bad idea. Whether you are planning on parenting your baby or are considering relinquishment, reading up on pregnancy facts is a good idea. If you have access to a library or if anyone asks you if you need anything, consider one of these few books. 1. Your Pregnancy Week By Week by Glade B. Curtis and Judith Schuler. This was my personal favorite when pregnant with my two (parented) boys. It is a positive, encouraging look at how your body is changing through each week of pregnancy. I like facts. I also like to… [more]

I warned you first about some foods to avoid during pregnancy. The good news is that, minus that short list, the world of food is open and ready for your consumption! Those often talked about cravings that are rumored to accompany pregnancy aren't just a rumor! You might find yourself longing for a candy bar one moment and then desperately needing Mexican food in the next thought. While it's fun to indulge, it's also important to remember to eat certain things while pregnant. Eating healthy can help ensure that both you and your baby are as healthy as possible! The question then remains: what are some healthy foods that can benefit you and your child? The most important thing to remember when it… [more]

Just because you're experiencing an unplanned pregnancy doesn't mean that you can't take care of yourself and this growing baby. Whether you choose to parent or place your baby, you should be eating well during this time. Your baby needs good nutrition to grow. You need good nutrition to stay afloat in order to deal with the physical demands of pregnancy and the emotional demands of dealing with this situation. So how do you eat healthy while pregnant? First and foremost, there are some foods you should avoid. It seems awfully pessimistic to talk about those first but it is also important. (Soon I'll talk about foods you can, or should, be eating.) Unfortunately, if you google "foods to avoid while pregnant," you'll… [more]

Pregnancy can be stressful. Even pregnancies that were meticulously planned can be wrought with tension and anxiety. The truth is that growing a child in your womb may be a natural process but, thanks to technology, we're also keenly aware of what can go wrong. Add in the emotions that a mother experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and considering relinquishment might be feeling and it can get to be a rather stressful time. But that's not good. March of Dimes has some facts about stress and pregnancy that you should definitely read up on. In fact, they address the risks of high stress levels in pregnancy (something you may be experiencing). A number of studies suggest that high levels of stress in pregnancy… [more]

Awhile ago an expectant mother considering placement asked a series of questions as to whether or not she should stick with the agency she had initially contacted. Her questions boiled down to one: Should I find a new agency? Gut instinct tells me that if you're even asking yourself that question, the answer is probably, "Yes." This isn't always the case, of course, as some people have personalities that are prone to doubting. However, if you are actively asking yourself questions as to the ethics, moral compass or financial profit of the agency, you're probably right to step back and reconsider the agency for another. All too often the parents considering placement are lead to believe that once they have sent in their forms… [more]

If you are considering relinquishment and working with an adoption agency, I encourage you to look at some of the ways in which they are talking to you, about adoption and about your future. It can be overwhelming to come into a possible placement without knowing anything about adoption. Some agencies take advantage of that fact, hoping that you'll take everything they say at face value. While there are some great agencies out there who offer you all of the information needed in able to make an informed decision, not every agency works in such an ethical manner. As such, it's important for you to know a few things. Some adoption agencies promote open adoption out the wazoo. Don't get me wrong… [more]