Whether you are already pregnant or worried about the risk of an unexpected pregnancy, it is important to know the options available to you. Abortion is the right choice for some women, but for others it is best to keep the baby or give it up for adoption. To avoid having to face this difficult decision, it is best to be proactive and practice birth control methods.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Coping with an Unwanted Pregnancy
Step 1. Know your legal rights
No one, not even your parents, can force you to have an abortion against your will. The choice is entirely up to you, so don't let anyone pressure you into making a decision you're not sure about.
- Forcing a minor to undergo a termination of pregnancy is considered an abuse and therefore a crime.
- If someone threatens you or forces you to have an abortion, call the police.
- If you want to terminate the pregnancy, know that it is your right, although it is necessary to inform the parents and / or obtain their consent if you are not yet 18 years old; if the parents refuse to consent, you can be authorized by the tutelary judge.
Step 2. Consider holding the baby
With proper help and support, the parenting experience is wonderful and fulfilling; for some women it is the right choice even when pregnancy has not been planned.
- Talk to the baby's father and family members to find someone to help you raise the unborn child; it is a much easier decision to make when you have support from those who love you.
- Make a plan for knowing how to meet the expenses associated with raising a child. Reflect on the fact that you need to find a job and reconcile it with parental responsibilities; consider if you are a good candidate for state economic aid. Contact your social worker to find out what support programs the Municipality, Region or State make available for citizens in your condition.
- Consider your personal goals for the future and whether you can achieve them while caring for the baby. For example, it may be necessary to find a way to provide for the child so that he can still go to school.
Step 3. Think about adoption
If you feel that the maternal role is not right for you at this time, but you don't want to terminate the pregnancy, consider not recognizing the baby and giving it up for adoption; there are many loving families ready and happy to raise the unborn child and offer him a wonderful life.
- Ask a lawyer or family counseling center about the practices and laws governing this possibility as soon as you make this decision.
- The adoption law is very complex; however, it is possible for every woman to give birth anonymously in a hospital and declare her will not to recognize the newborn; the child is taken into care by the juvenile court which declares its adoptability. The time between delivery and court declaration may vary.
- If you opt for anonymity birth, know that you will not have the opportunity to know your child or the family that will adopt him; you will lose all rights and you will not be able to claim parental responsibility.
Step 4. Find support
It is essential that you do not feel alone, regardless of the decision you make; This is a very difficult time, so find a way to get the help you need to make the right choice for you.
- Talk to your parents and the baby's father. Try to understand what support you can trust; if none of these people offer you the support you need, turn to friends or other relatives for moral help.
- If you need to speak to an impartial person, consider calling a "hotline" who deals with unwanted pregnancies. Counselors who answer the phone can describe the options available to you, offer guidance, and refer you to a local organization that can teach you how to care for the baby, manage adoption procedures, or help you terminate your pregnancy.
- Family counseling centers are a point of reference for these situations; they allow you to initiate the medico-legal protocol for abortion, give you advice regarding adoption or support you in case you want to keep the unborn child.
- You may encounter associations or operators affiliated with religious centers that urge you not to have an abortion; however, there are many serious professionals who believe in individual freedom and who provide you with all information impartially. Do some thorough research before going to an institution; those of a religious nature usually do not propose and do not give information about the termination of pregnancy and may also give you interested advice to persuade you to give birth.
- Make sure that the family clinic is not of a religious nature and that the health personnel and the gynecologist are not conscientious objectors; a public structure should offer a service to the citizen and be completely impartial.
- Even if you are not religious, many congregations are happy to discuss with you the possibility of keeping the baby or giving it up for adoption. Remember that most churches are against abortion, so you shouldn't go to a religious organization if you are considering this possibility.
Step 5. Remember that abortion is one of the options
Regardless of the opinions of your friends, family or religious institutions, this is a legal solution you have at your disposal; if you decide that this is the best choice for you, it is in your right to continue on that path.
Method 2 of 3: Helping a Woman in Crisis
Step 1. Call her
If a friend or loved one is going through an unwanted pregnancy, it is important to recognize that she is going through a very difficult time; call or visit her often to find out how she is doing and if she needs help and support.
Be careful if he tends to isolate himself. If so, encourage her to spend time with other loved ones who support her; invite her to participate in fun activities to make her forget about problems for a while
Step 2. Let her know how you can help her
If you are very close to a woman who is going through a pregnancy of this type, it is really helpful to let her know how you want to support her, in case she decides to keep the baby. When you feel like she's ready, strike up a conversation about the contribution you'd like to make.
- If you are the baby's father, tell her about your plans for the future; share your views on gestation and let her do the same.
- If you live with this woman, talk about life changes and various options for taking care of the unborn baby.
- Don't pressure her to make a decision, just tell her you want to talk about these details so she has all the information she needs.
Step 3. Encourage her to consult a counselor
If you are unsure about your pregnancy, suggest that you gather as much information as possible and seek professional advice. talking to an unbiased expert can really help you make the best decision for you.
- If you need help finding resources, make yourself available; she may even ask you to take her to the analyst for moral support.
- No matter what your views on abortion are, it is important to suggest that this woman go to a family counseling center that explains in detail all the possible solutions; try not to influence her based on your personal beliefs.
Step 4. Listen to their needs
Chances are you want to help her handle the situation in any way you can. While your intentions are good, it's best to ask her what you can do to make sure she doesn't perceive your actions as an attempt to pressure or intrude.
- If she doesn't want to listen to the advice of others, respect the fact that she wants to make her own decisions; if she asks for a suggestion, offer her your opinion, but be respectful if she doesn't agree.
- If he wants to talk, be available. You can support her by listening to her carefully and offering your unconditional support.
Step 5. Don't make judgments
You may feel angry, sad, or disappointed that a loved one is in this situation, but don't say it. It is vital to show her love and support instead of judging her for her decisions.
- Remember that he is already facing a great difficulty, the last thing he needs is criticism from friends and family.
- If you feel the need to talk to someone about your feelings about her pregnancy, find a third person to do it with; avoid unloading all your problems on the pregnant woman, as it will worsen her state of stress.
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Unwanted Pregnancies
Step 1. Get informed
Accurate sex education, even from a medical point of view, reduces the chances of an unplanned pregnancy. Consult the websites of the local counseling centers to learn more about contraception, the responsibilities, the pressure and the emotional aspects of a couple relationship. You should know your anatomy, such as putting on a condom, recognizing the warning signs of abuse or psychological pressure, and learning to say "no" to your partner.
Consent must be clear and constant; express it before starting a sexual act and make sure the other person agrees all the time. If you don't want to do something or have changed your mind, say so. If your partner gets angry, disrespectful or aggressive about your rejection, this is a very serious warning sign
Step 2. Develop a plan
It doesn't matter how you decide to avoid unwanted pregnancy, but it's important to be well organized. Think about the simplest and most effective methods for you to use; keep in mind that the birth control pill requires constant and correct intake.
- Remember to talk to your sexual partner about birth control; tell him that you expect him to play an active role in prevention.
- It is not acceptable that he does not want to take part in a contraceptive plan; if he refuses to use a condom or use other methods to avoid conception, do not have sex with him.
Step 3. Assess abstinence
Avoiding sexual intercourse is the only guaranteed method of not getting pregnant, although it is not the right choice for all people, as it requires a lot of discipline. It is very important to consider the situation and only become sexually active when you feel ready to take on all the responsibilities that come with it.
- Remember that penetration is not always necessary to get pregnant; fertilization is possible at any time when the sperm comes into contact with the vagina.
- Limiting yourself to oral sex prevents pregnancy, but not the transmission of venereal infections.
- If you decide to abstinence, it is worth having a contingency plan. Many couples conceive because they initially want to practice abstinence, but eventually find themselves having unprotected sex. Consider taking hormonal contraceptives or having a barrier method on hand in case you can't keep your intentions.
Step 4. Take hormonal contraceptives regularly
These products work by releasing hormones in the body that prevent fertilization. You have to get a prescription from your family doctor or gynecologist to be able to buy them; in the long run this is quite an expensive method, although there are several products available and with a wide range of prices.
- The most common type is the contraceptive pill; some of these contain both estrogen and progestogen, others only progestogens. For this method to be effective you need to take one every day.
- The contraceptive ring is inserted into the vagina and kept in place for three weeks; it is drawn at the beginning of the fourth and there is a seven-day break before putting on a new one. Its action is to release the hormones that prevent pregnancy, but you must remember to respect the timing of insertion and removal.
- The contraceptive patch is a small and flexible patch that adheres to the skin releasing hormones; you have to wear one for three weeks, remove it to respect a seven-day break and finally replace it with a new one. Just like with the ring, you must remember to adhere to the application and removal schedule to ensure its effectiveness.
Step 5. Evaluate long-term hormone solutions
If you're worried about having to remember to take the pill every day or change your patch once a month, there are other hormonal birth control methods that work best for you. A quick appointment at the gynecologist can be enough to protect you from unwanted pregnancy for months or even years.
- Hormone injections are given by the doctor in his office; they are effective for 1-3 months and you just have to remember to get a shot this often to make sure you don't get pregnant.
- The implant is the most effective type of hormonal contraceptive because it works for several years without even having to think about it; it is a thin stick that is inserted by the doctor under the skin of the arm and gradually releases the hormones protecting you for up to three years.
- Intrauterine devices are a very effective and long-lasting method of contraception. The gynecologist inserts one of these small objects into the uterus that releases hormones or copper in the body, preventing the implantation of the fertilized egg; they are effective for 5 to 10 years, depending on the specific type.
Step 6. Use condoms
They are simple to use and, provided they are worn correctly, very effective against unwanted pregnancies; they are also the only way to avoid sexually transmitted infections. You should always use them, even if you are already practicing another birth control method.
- Male condoms are typically made of latex and are threaded over the penis to prevent the exchange of body fluids during sexual intercourse.
- There are also female models that work in a similar way, but are inserted into the vagina; however, they are not as effective as male ones.
- Using condoms in combination with another method of prevention drastically reduces the risk of pregnancy.
Step 7. Use a spermicide
It is a chemical that prevents pregnancy by killing sperm. It is available in pharmacies as an over-the-counter product and in the form of a cream or gel; spermicide alone is not a very effective contraceptive, but it can further reduce the risk when used in conjunction with barrier methods.
Some condoms contain spermicide as an extra protection
Step 8. Look for other birth control methods
You can avoid pregnancy by using the diaphragm or cervical cap; both are inserted into the vagina before intercourse to prevent sperm from entering the cervix.
- You need to consult a gynecologist to find the right model, as each woman's anatomy is slightly different.
- To be effective, these devices are usually used in combination with spermicide.
Step 9. Consider sterilization
If you are absolutely certain that you do not want children now or ever, you can evaluate a surgical procedure with the gynecologist; thus, you cannot get pregnant for the rest of your life. Only opt for this solution if you are absolutely certain that you will not change your mind in the future.
- There are two types of female sterilization and both are performed as day-surgery procedures. With tubal ligation, the fallopian tubes are closed, thus preventing contact between the eggs and spermatozoa. With transcervical sterilization, the fallopian tubes are irritated and as a response they generate scar tissue that blocks the passage of the eggs; it is a procedure that takes several months to be effective.
- If you have only one sexual partner, she may decide not to have children by undergoing a vasectomy; it is an outpatient procedure that is performed to prevent sperm from reaching the penis; it is very effective but not 100% safe.
Step 10. Don't forget about emergency contraceptives
If normal birth control methods fail, there are other solutions to avoid pregnancy. Emergency contraceptives should be taken within five days of unprotected sex, but the sooner you take them, the more effective they are.
- There are different types of "morning after pills" and if you are of legal age you can buy them without a prescription. The active ingredients contained in them do not cause abortion if you are already pregnant, but prevent pregnancy from arising.
- You can buy these medicines at pharmacies, without a prescription (if you are of legal age) and they are sometimes also available at family clinics.
- There is also an emergency copper intrauterine device; you have to go to the gynecologist to have it inserted.
- If you need more information about contraceptives or how to buy them, consult the web page of your local clinic or contact your gynecologist.
- The morning after pill should not be thought of as the primary method of contraception because it is not as effective as other solutions. You should consider this a viable option for example if you forget to take oral contraception or the condom breaks.
