For many young or teen mothers, raising your baby is not always the easiest option. It is important to keep in mind that there are options for you, and it is important to consider all of these options before you decided what to do.
Adoption
Adoption is the legal process by which an individual or couple voluntarily obtains the rights and responsibilities for a child from that child's birth parents. The adoptive family commits itself to care for and provide for the child as though it were their own biological child. Adoption permanent, and removes all rights and responsibilities from the original parent. Giving a child up for adoption can be a very loving and responsible choice if the parent knows he or she cannot take care of the child as is necessary. However, it is often a very difficult decision to make and a very difficult action to commit. There are several different types of adoptions that provide many different ranges of privacy and contact between the birth and adoptive parents.
Abortion
Abortion is the intentional, artificial termination of a pregnancy. It may be performed with a surgical procedure or by using medication taken orally or injected into the uterus. The method used is determined by how far along in her pregnancy the woman is. There are many facts to consider before choosing an abortion method or choosing abortion.
Safe haven
As of March, 2003 - 42 states have enacted "safe haven" laws which permit any person, typically the parent, to abandon a newborn baby at a specified location (hospital, firehouse, or police station). The names of these laws differ: Safe Haven, Save Place, Baby Moses Law, Safe Arms for Newborns, Safe Delivery, etc. The purpose of these laws is to save the lives of newborns in danger of abandonment, and to help preserve the health and future of their mothers. State laws differ on the procedure. Some states allow a newborn to be simply handed to a doctor or police officer. The threat of criminal prosecution may be either reduced or eliminated, depending on the state. Some states allow the parent to remain anonymous; others require the person who receives the newborn to attempt to establish the identity of the parent and obtain a medical history. Some states place a limit on the age of the newborn that can be abandoned (typically from 3-30 days old). The intent is to emphasize the importance of surrendering a newborn to a place quickly where he or she can receive proper care. Anyone in the U.S. needing to get in touch with a safe haven can call 1-877-796-HOPE (1-877-796-4673).
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