If you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and don’t feel like it’s the right time to parent, you have two options. Abortion and adoption are both big decisions that will have an impact on your future.

At Warrenton Pregnancy Center, we can help provide you with the information and support you need to make an educated choice based on your unique circumstances and values.

Keep reading to learn more about your options, and contact us today to access a supportive, safe space to process your next steps.

Abortion vs. Adoption

Let’s talk about your two options if parenting is something you’re ruled out for now.

Abortion

Abortion terminates a pregnancy in one of two ways: either by taking powerful drugs or through surgery, depending on how far along you are. In Virginia, abortion is legal through the first 27 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, but some providers stop offering abortions before that time.

If you’re considering abortion, it’s important to understand the risks involved. These can include physical complications like infections, heavy bleeding, and in some cases sepsis, as well as emotional challenges like anxiety, regret, or depression.

Adoption

Adoption processes have changed a lot over the years, and today the priority is on honoring your goals and desires for adoption. An open adoption allows you to choose the adoptive family and create a more personalized plan for you and your child’s future.

The type of plan you choose is based on how much contact you want to have with the adoptive family and your child. An adoption agency can help craft the plan that’s right for you.

Questions to Ask

While the path you take is yours to choose, you don’t have to make this decision in isolation. Consider the following questions on your own or with a trusted friend to begin to determine the next step to take.

Do I want to be involved in my child’s life? If so, how much?
Which option best aligns with my values and beliefs? How should those influence my decision?
How might placing for adoption make me feel? How might an abortion make me feel? Am I prepared to live with those feelings?
Which option am I leaning towards? Why?

Why an Ultrasound is Essential

Before making your final decision, it’s important to get an ultrasound. This will help alert you to any issues or areas of concern (like an ectopic pregnancy) and let you know how far along you are so your health is protected.

This scan will provide valuable information so you can make a truly informed choice.

Is Abortion or Adoption Right for Me

An unexpected pregnancy can stir up all kinds of emotions—fear, confusion, and sometimes even grief. You may feel like your whole world shifted overnight, and now you’re left trying to make a decision that will impact your life now and in the future.

We want you to know: you’re not alone in this.

At Warrenton Pregnancy Center, we provide a safe, judgment-free space to pause and think through your options with clarity and confidence. Our role isn’t to tell you what to do—it’s to walk with you while you decide.

Start Here: Do You Want to Parent?

It’s okay if your first answer is “I’m not sure.” Choosing to parent is a big decision, but it’s one many women grow into over time. You don’t have to have all the details or logistics figured out today, just start with trying to determine what you want.

There are more resources available to you than you might think— like parenting classes, emotional support, and practical help with baby supplies and finances. We can help connect you to what you need if parenting feels right for you.

If you’ve ruled out parenting, you still have two options: adoption or abortion. Each one comes with its own weight, and it’s important to consider what sits right with your heart and your future.

Adoption: A Plan, Not a Goodbye

Adoption today looks different than it used to. You’re in the driver’s seat—you choose the adoptive family, the level of contact, and the type of relationship you want to have moving forward.

It’s a path that allows you to give your child stability while still pursuing your goals. Many women find peace and purpose in creating an adoption plan that reflects their hopes and values.

Abortion: Understand the Full Picture

Abortion ends a pregnancy, and depending on the stage of your pregnancy, different procedures may be available. Each carries potential risks like infection, heavy bleeding, and emotional effects such as sadness, regret, or anxiety.

Before making your final decision, a medical professional should confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound to protect your health and provide clarity about how far along you are.

Helpful Questions to Consider

As you ponder your options, take some time to sit with these questions and answer as honestly as you can. It may be helpful to talk with a close friend or family about these questions, too.

What kind of future do I want for myself—and for this pregnancy?
How might I feel about each option six months from now?
What kind of support system do I have?
What does peace look like for me right now?

You Don’t Have to Decide Alone

At Warrenton Women’s Center, we’re here to support you with free ultrasounds, a listening ear, and the information you need to make an empowered choice.

This is your life, your future—and you deserve space to decide with confidence. Schedule an appointment today. We’re here for you, every step of the way.

Is Abortion or Adoption Right for Me?