Unplanned Pregnancy: Your Options
At bpas we accept that unplanned pregnancies happen and that every woman has the right to decide for herself how to deal with the situation.
We know that you might be finding it hard to make a decision about what to do, which is why we have produced this page.
The ideas presented here are based on our experience of talking to over 55,000 women every year who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
It's not meant to encourage you to make any particular decision - instead it offers ideas that we know other women have found helpful.
First of all, have you confirmed your pregnancy?
If you haven't, then your first step is to get a pregnancy test. You can buy a home test from any pharmacy or the pharmacist can do the test for you. bpas offers a pregnancy testing service, for a nominal fee. You may also be able to get a free test from your GP, health centre or family planning clinic. For more information click here.
If you have confirmed you are pregnant:
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So how do you feel about being pregnant?
We understand that you might have mixed feelings about being pregnant when you didn’t plan to be.
Whatever your feelings, everyone will have different reactions.
To help you think about how you feel at the moment, we know that many women find it helpful to write down a list of different feelings.
To help you do this you can ask yourself questions like these below:
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Your choices
You might find it helpful to know a bit more about how other women felt when they looked at the different choices. Here are some of the statements they often make, have a look at them and perhaps write down any other thoughts you have.
Keeping the baby
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Having the baby and putting it up for adoption or fostering
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Having an abortion
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So how do you feel now?
After looking at the information on this page, you may still have mixed feelings.
Making a decision can be difficult and frightening. Our experience in talking to other women in the same situation is that it helps if you can be clear about your feelings and why you have them.
You could list some questions like the ones we have shown here and explore how you feel. To see how you are feeling at the moment, try to finish each of these sentences:
"The idea of having a baby makes me feel.................................................................................................
because ............................................................................................................"
"The idea of placing the baby for adoption makes me feel.....................................................................
because ............................................................................................................"
"The idea of having an abortion makes me feel ............................................................................
because ............................................................................................................"
What if I still don’t know?
It’s natural to continue to have conflicting feelings about each choice. You may find that, whatever choice you make, it still won’t feel like the perfect decision.
Ask yourself "Can I live with those feelings?” If the answer is "Yes", you are ready to decide.
If you still can’t decide, you may need more information about your choices or talk to someone you trust - they won’t be able to decide for you but may be able to help you decide what you think will be best for you. That person could be a parent or another member of your family, your partner or a close friend. Alternatively you can make an appointment to talk to someone impartial at bpas.
Try not to put your decision off for too long.
If you do decide to continue with your pregnancy, it is important that you start having antenatal care so that you and your baby are healthy. If you decide to have an abortion, the earlier it is carried out, the easier and safer it will be.
If you need more information You can contact a number of organisations for advice or written information, although bpas accepts no responsibility for the advice or information given by other organisations.
bpasbpas is a registered charity and provides a national network of 40 centres offering pregnancy testing, consultation on unplanned pregnancy, abortion, emergency contraception, sterilisation and vasectomy.
You can book an appointment with bpas to talk things through, or to explore the abortion options available to you dependent on your stage of pregnancy and circumstances, in preparation for a treatment appointment. For information and appointments click here.
Family Planning
Your local family planning centre can be found in the yellow pages, directory enquiries or to visit their webiste click here.
Brook
Brook provides information on contraception and sexual health for young people up to the age of 25.
421 Highgate Studios
53-79 Highgate Road
London
NW5 1TL
Telephone:
Brook helpline (For contraceptive advice):
To visit Brook's website click here.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Find your local centre from the yellow pages, directory enquiries or to visit their website click here.
Rape Crisis
Find your local centre from the yellow pages, directory enquiries or to visit their webite click here.
For information and advice on family tax credits and child benefits:
Department for Work and Pensions
Room 112 The Adelphi
1-11 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6HT
Public Enquiry Office (for benefits information):
To visit their website click here
For information and advice if you continue your pregnancy:
National Childbirth Trust
NCT provides information on childbirth and breast feeding.
Alexander House
Oldham Terrace
London
W3 6NH
Telephone:
To visit their website click here.
Life
Life is an organisation that is strongly opposed to abortion but will offer practical help for women continuing with pregnancy.
Life House
1a Newbold Terrace
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV32 4EA
Telephone:
To visit their website click here
For information and advice on adoption and fostering:
British Association for Adoption & Fostering
BAAF work with everyone involved with adoption and fostering across the UK. Click here for advice and information if you are pregnant and thinking of adoption.
The Government:
For information about fostering and adoption click here.
Telephone:
Adoption UK
Adoption UK was established in 1971 and is the only national self-help group run by and for adoptive parents and foster carers, offering support before, during and after adoption. Click here to visit their website.
Social Services
Contact your local social services via your local council to discuss how to put a child up for adoption in your area.
