Choosing The Right Contraceptive Method
Choosing the right contraceptive method(s) for you and your partner depends on many factors.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a method of contraception:
- Use: Will you remember to take a medication? Do you know how to use a barrier method? Do you understand the instructions for other methods? Do you know what happens if you forget to use it?
- Effectiveness: How well does it prevent pregnancy? What can impact the effectiveness of each method?
- Side effects: What happens if you stop a medication? What should you expect when you start a new one? Will a hormonal method cause mood changes or weight gain?
- Cost: Does it require a prescription? Doctor visits? Can it be purchased by both partners?
Contraceptive options include:
- Barrier methods: Condoms, diaphragms, the contraceptive sponge and cervical caps
- Chemical methods: Birth control pills (BCPs; also called oral contraceptives (OCs), Long-acting hormonal methods (shots and implants), Hormonal contraceptive patch or vaginal ring
- Behavioral methods: Abstinence, Natural family planning, Withdrawal
- Other options: Intrauterine devices (IUDs), Emergency contraception, Sterilization/Vasectomy, Spermicides
Pregnancy options include:
- Abortion
- Adoption
- Raising a child
For a side by side comparison of various forms of contraception, see a contraceptive effectiveness chart here.
Barrier Methods
Condoms (Male & Female)
USE: There are multiple kinds of condoms - male condoms, female condoms, lubricated or un-lubricated, with or without spermicide, large and small, ribbed for her pleasure, and so on. The three main materials for condoms – latex, polyurethane and lambskin – all help prevent pregnancy. However lambskin does not protect against sexually transmissible infections (STI).
Specific directions for using condoms are included with the package. Read them carefully and follow them. One extra hint they don’t tell you is to put a drop of lubrication in the tip of the condom before you roll it on. This eases application, decreases the risk of air pockets that can cause condoms to break, and feels more pleasurable to many men.
EFFECTIVENESS: Used correctly, male condoms offer up to 98% effectiveness against pregnancy. With typical use, male condoms are about 85% effective against pregnancy. The female condom is about 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly, and about 79% effective with typical use. They also offer a reduced risk of some STIs such as chlaymida, gonorrhea and HIV; others (like herpes, HPV and syphilis) can still be transmitted even if a condom is used correctly.
SIDE EFFECTS: There are no long term side effects with condom use. If you are allergic to latex, use polyurethane condoms instead. If you are sensitive or allergic to the lubricants used with many condoms, use an un-lubricated condom and add your own lubricant to it (some lubricants such as Just Like Me by pureromance.com or Pink or Sliquid, available at condomania.com have been formulated to reduce the risk of irritation).
COST: Condoms can cost from 50 cents to $4 a piece, depending on what kind you get. Your local health center or STI testing facility might even have them for free. You can have condoms delivered to your door by ordering them online at Condomania.com, among other places.
Diaphragms
USE: Diaphragms are flexible, latex, dome-shaped cups with a bendable rim designed to fit securely in the vagina to cover the cervix. Diaphragms are sized to fit individual women. A gynecologist measure the cervix and orders one in the correct size. Then it gets filled with spermicide and inserted before sexual intercourse.
EFFECTIVENESS: 94% effective with perfect use, 82% effective with typical use. Improper fitting, removing it too soon after sex, or deterioration of the diaphragm by oil-based lubricants can hinder effectiveness.
SIDE EFFECTS: Allergic reaction to latex (plastic ones are available), bladder infection, or vaginal soreness from the pressure of the rim, and, in a few women, Toxic Shock Syndrome. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs. There is also an increased risk of frequent urinary tract infections in some women.
COST: The diaphragm itself will be about $15-$75 (depending on where get one), and the total cost may also include the cost of the doctor’s visit and you buy spermicide to use with it.
Contraceptive Sponge
USE: A contraceptive sponge is made of plastic foam and contains spermicide. It is soft, round, and about two inches in diameter. It has a nylon loop attached to the bottom for removal. It is inserted deep into the vagina before intercourse. The Today Sponge is the only brand of contraceptive sponge available in the United States today. Contraceptive sponges should not be used if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, polyurethane or spermicide.
EFFECTIVENESS: 91% effective with perfect use, 84% effective with typical use. Effectiveness decreases if women using the sponge have given birth. Male partners can help effectiveness by wearing a condom or pulling out before ejaculation.
SIDE EFFECTS: Sponges should not be used if there is any kind of vaginal bleeding (including menstruation), as it can increase your risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome. It can cause vaginal irritation or make sex too messy or too dry, which using a water based lubricant may help with.
COST: The sponge is currently only available online. A package of three sponges costs $9-$15. The costs may be slightly lower or higher depending on where you live.
Cervical Caps
USE: The cervical cap is a soft rubber barrier that covers the cervix in order to prevent sperm from entering into the uterus. Like the diaphragm, a cervical cap is fitted to a woman’s body. A cervical cap is also used in with spermicide and inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix before sex. You can read more details at The American Pregnancy Association’s Cervical Cap Information.
EFFECTIVENESS: With perfect use, the cap is 91% effective, and with typical use, it is 82% effective. Removing it too early, erosion by oil-based lubes, and incorrect insertion can inhibit effectiveness. It can also be knocked out of place during intercourse.
SIDE EFFECTS: Allergic reaction to the latex, infection, and, in some women, TSS. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs.
COST: The cervical cap itself costs about $30 and it can last for years. Other costs may include paying for the doctor’s appointment(s) and the spermicide that used with it.
Chemical Methods
The Pill/Birth Control/Oral Contraceptives
USE: Birth control comes in two types – combination (contain two hormones – estrogen and progestin) or progestin-only pills. The hormones in the pill keep a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs. The hormones in the pill also prevent pregnancy by thickening a woman’s cervical mucus. The mucus blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg. Birth control is obtained though a prescription from a healthcare provider, and taken once a day (at about the same time of day, if possible).
EFFECTIVENESS: With perfect use, 99.9% effective with “combination pill” (estrogen and progestin), and 99.5% effective with progestin only pills. With typical use, the pill is about 92% effective. Some medications can make the pill less effective: certain anti-HIV protease inhibitors, certain anti-seizure medications, a particular anti-fungal medication, griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Gris-PEG, Grifulvin V, Grisactin, and Gristatin), and rifampin (type of antibiotic).
SIDE EFFECTS: Irregular bleeding, particularly with missed pills, weight gain, acne, nausea, headaches, mood changes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Side effects often subside after the first few cycles, and they vary greatly from woman to woman. Rare but more serious side effects include blood clots, stroke or heart attacks and are increased with tobacco use. Women who use hormonal methods of birth control (such as the Pill, Patch, Depo Provera or Lunelle) are strongly advised not to smoke. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs.
COST: It varies by brand, but cost can range from about $15-$50 a month.
The Patch (Ortho-Evra)
USE: The birth control patch is a thin, beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin. Obtain a prescription from your healthcare provider (nurse practitioner or doctor). Wear a patch for a week, then another patch for the 2nd week, then a third patch for the 3rd week and then go “patch-free” the fourth week. The hormones are delivered through the skin and into the bloodstream.
EFFECTIVENESS: The Patch is believed to be as effective as the Pill (99% effective with perfect use; 92% with typical use). Like the Pill, it works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg). It also causes changes to a woman’s cervical mucus, making it more difficult for a man’s sperm to enter into the uterus.
SIDE EFFECTS: Potential side effects include “breast symptoms, headache, application site reaction, nausea, upper respiratory infection, menstrual cramps and abdominal pain” according to Othro-Evra’s website. Like the Pill, rare but more serious side effects include blood clots, stroke or heart attacks and are increased if you smoke tabaccos. Women who use hormonal methods of birth control (such as the Pill, Patch, Depo Provera or Lunelle) are strongly advised not use tobacco products. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs.
COST: The price is about the same as the Pill, at around $15-$50 a month.
Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera)
USE: The birth control shot is an injection of a hormone that prevents pregnancy. Injection is typically in the buttocks but sometimes in the arm, every 13 weeks (three months). Shot must be administered by a medically trained person at a medical facility.
EFFECTIVENESS: 99.7% effective. Effectiveness is only reduced if women don’t get the shot on time. If the birth control shot is given within the first seven days after the start of a woman’s period or within five days after miscarriage or an abortion, pregnancy protection is effective immediately. Otherwise, a backup birth control should be used – like a condom, female condom, diaphragm, – for the first week after getting the shot.
SIDE EFFECTS: Some women gain weight, some have irregular, excessive, or painful menstruation. Other women report having no period at all. Decreased sex drive can occur in some women. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs. Depo Provera has been associated with loss of bone density which may contribute to osteoporosis; discontinuing the use of Depo Provera does not reverse the loss of bone density.
COST: If an exam is required, it may cost about $35 to $250. Each injection costs between $35 and $75, and each visit after the initial exam may cost between $20 and $40. If you are more than two weeks late for your injection, a pregnancy test may be needed before another shot can be administered. Pregnancy tests cost about $20.
Birth Control Implant (Implanon)
USE: Birth control implants are small rubber (matchstick-size) implants which release a slow, steady stream of hormones are placed just below the skin of the arm. They required a prescription from a healthcare provider, and a procedure for to implant them. Implants are left in for 3 years and then must be removed. Removal may require a outpatient surgical procedure with associated risks.
EFFECTIVENESS: 99.01% effective and extremely reliable because there is nothing daily medication to forget or do wrong. Effective for 3 years at a time.
SIDE EFFECTS: Sometimes the implants are slightly visible. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs. 20% of women using the implant stop having periods and it can be used during breast feeding. There can be complications at the site of the implant, so a medical provider should be consulted if there are any concerns or if the implant site is red, irritated or bleeding.
COST: The cost of the exam, Implanon, and insertion ranges from $400-$800 at Planned Parenthood. Removal costs between $75 and $150. The total cost pays for pregnancy protection that can last for three years.
Birth Control Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)
USE: The vaginal ring (brand name NuvaRing) is a small, flexible ring a woman inserts into her vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month. This type of birth control requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. This method works by releasing hormones (a combination of estrogen and progestin) into a woman’s body and stopping ovulation (the release of an egg) from occurring.
EFFECTIVENESS: NuvaRing is thought to be as effectiveness and the Pill when used correctly (about 99% effective when used perfectly, 92% effective with typical use).
SIDE EFFECTS: Potential side effects (usually in the first 2-3 months of use) include increased vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, or infection, bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, and nausea. Like other hormonal methods of birth control, rare but more serious potential risks include blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, high blood pressure and heart disease, breast cancer, liver tumors and gallbladder disease. Women who use hormonal contraceptives are typically strongly advised not to use tobacco products. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs.
COST: The vaginal ring is about the same cost as the Pill, around $15 – $50 per month.
You can find more information about NuvaRing here.
Behavioral Methods
Abstinence
USE: Abstinence to prevent pregnancy includes no penis in vagina (PIV) sex but complete abstinence for the prevention of STIs should include no vaginal, anal or oral sex.
EFFECTIVENESS: Abstinence is the only absolutely certain contraceptive method if practiced correctly and consistently.
SIDE EFFECTS: None. It is important to communicate with your sexual partner(s) about your choice to be abstinent to ensure that you and your partner are aware of your sexual boundiares (what sexual behaviors you are willing to do). If you are having genital contact with a partner (e.g. oral sex, anal sex, rubbing genitals together), then you are still at risk for STIs.
COST: Free.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) or Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs)
USE: There are a variety of NFP or FAM methods available (temperature method, cervical mucus method, calendar method, cycle beads); some use a combination of these.
EFFECTIVENESS: FAMs work by keeping sperm out of the vagina in the days near ovulation, when a woman is most fertile – most likely to become pregnant. Done correctly, this method is 97% effective. With typical use, it has been estimated to be about 75%-88% effective at preventing pregnancy. This method may not work for women with irregular periods or if you have an STI or frequent abnormal vaginal discharges.
SIDE EFFECTS: Relationship stress is possible. This method requires open, honest communication between partners and a strong commitment to follow the schedule. It also doesn’t offer any protection against STIs.
COST: The method itself is free. A NFP thermometer can cost upwards of $100; it offers considerable certainty and can be worth the investment to couples willing to invest the time and effort necessary to use it correctly. A healthcare provider, especially those at a family planning clinic, can provide more information and/or detailed instructions on using NFP methods.
Withdrawal/Pull Out Method
USE: The man withdraws the penis from the woman’s vagina before he ejaculates, thus minimizing the amount of sperm launched into the cervix. Because sperm may be present on the head of the penis or in the urethra, it may be transported to the vagina via pre-ejaculate. This method requires excellent ejaculatory control in the male partner, and typically calls for excellent communication skills in the couple.
EFFECTIVENESS: Theoretical effectiveness is 94% and typical use effectiveness is 81%. Even if a man pulls out in time, pregnancy can still happen. Some experts believe that pre-ejaculate, or pre-cum, can pick up enough sperm left in the urethra from a previous ejaculation to cause pregnancy. Recent information from the Guttmacher Institute supports this method as an effective birth control method, especially for those who cannot use hormonal forms of contraception, but reiterate that it does not protect against STIs.
SIDE EFFECTS: Planning on this method may leave you unprepared to use another method (like a condom) but is better than no behavioral methods at all. However, it doesn’t offer any protection against STIs.
Other Contraceptive Options
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
USE: IUDs are small, “T-shaped” devices made of flexible plastic. A health care provider inserts an IUD into a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two brands of IUD available in the United States – ParaGard and Mirena. The ParaGard IUD contains copper. It is effective for 12 years. The Mirena IUD releases a small amount of progestin, a hormone. It is effective for five years.
EFFECTIVENESS: IUDs are 99% effective in pregnancy prevention and one of the most effective forms of birth control. The ParaGard IUD can be used as emergency birth control, to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 99.9 percent if inserted within 120 hours (five days) after unprotected intercourse. IUDs do not protect against STIs.
SIDE EFFECTS: ParaGard (non-hormonal) has no typical hormonal side effects but it can increase your menstrual flow and cramps and spotting between periods. Mirena (hormonal) may reduce period flow and cramps. Serious side effects are rare but can include an IUD slipping out of the uterus which then must be removed and replaced to prevent pregnancy. Other rare side effects might include infection or having an IUD push through the vaginal walls during insertion.
COST: The IUD is the most inexpensive long-term and reversible form of birth control you can get. The cost for the medical exam, the ParaGard or Mirena IUD, the insertion of the IUD, and follow-up visits to your health care provider can range from $175 to $500. That cost pays for protection that can last from 5 to 12 years. Medicaid and private health insurance may cover the cost of the ParaGard or Mirena IUD. Family planning clinics usually charge less than private health care providers.
Emergency Contraception/”Morning After Pill”
USE: Emergency Contraception (EC) is a hormonal contraceptive pill combination that can be used to prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. The first dose is taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, and the second dose is taken 12 hours later. Emergency contraception is not abortion. According to the FDA, “Emergency contraceptive pills are not effective if the woman is pregnant; they act by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, and/or altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova (thereby inhibiting fertilization), and/or altering the endometrium (thereby inhibiting implantation).”
EFFECTIVENESS: Plan B reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent when started within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse. Only 1 out of 100 women will become pregnant after taking Plan B if started within three days. Emergency contraception can be started up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected intercourse. The sooner it is started, the better.
SIDE EFFECTS: Progestin-only contraception, such as the one offered at Planned Parenthood, has a much lower incidence of side effects – nausea 23% and vomiting 5%, and other side effects such as dizziness, headache, fatigue and cramping between 11-20%.
COST: The cost of emergency contraception varies a great deal, depending on where you go and what services you need. Plan B may cost anywhere from $10 to $45. If you are not 18 and need a prescription, the health care visit may cost anywhere from $35 to $250, depending on where you live.
Sterilization/Vasectomy
USE: Sterilization is a form of birth control. One type of sterilization for women commonly referred to is tubal ligation. All sterilization procedures are meant to be permanent. During a sterilization procedure, a health care provider closes or blocks a woman’s fallopian tubes. There are a few different types of sterilization for women, learn more here.
Vasectomies in men are also meant to be permanent and involve closing or blocking the tubes that carry sperm. When the tubes are closed, sperm cannot leave a man’s body and cause pregnancy.
EFFECTIVENESS: Sterilization is nearly 100 percent effective in women. Most kinds of sterilization for women are effective right away. But it takes about three months before Essure (the coil method) is effective.
Vasectomy is the most effective birth control for men. It is nearly 100 percent effective. However, vasectomy is not immediately effective. Sperm remains beyond the blocked tubes. You must use other birth control until the sperm are used up, which usually takes about three months.
Neither form of sterilization prevent STIs.
SIDE EFFECTS: Most women can be sterilized safely. But like any medical procedure, there are risks. One possible (rare) risk is that the tubes may reconnect by themselves. When women get pregnant after being sterilized, about 1 out of 3 has a pregnancy that develops in a fallopian tube. This is called ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is serious and may be life threatening.
There are different ways for men to be sterilized. One type does not require an incision – a cut. The other types of vasectomy require an incision. Incision methods take about 20 minutes. The no-incision method takes less time. Major complications with vasectomy are rare and are usually caused by infection.
COST: For women, the cost of sterilization ranges from $1,500 to $6,000. (The cost of vasectomy is much less.) Some clinics and doctors adjust fees on a sliding scale according to income. If you need to have your procedure in a hospital, it may be more expensive. About 1 out of 2 sterilizations are performed shortly after childbirth or abortion but you need to make arrangements with your health care provider in advance if you want to combine sterilization with other procedures.
A vasectomy can be performed in a medical office, hospital, or clinic. Nationwide, the cost of a vasectomy ranges from $350-$1,000, including the follow-up sperm count. (Sterilization for women costs up to six times as much.) Some clinics and doctors use a sliding scale according to income.
There may be state or federal requirements for sterilization, such as age restrictions or waiting periods. Ask if there are any restrictions when you make an appointment.
Spermicides
USE: Spermicide contains chemicals that stop sperm from moving and available in different forms, including creams, film, foams, gels, and suppositories. Spermicide can be used alone, or it can be used with other birth control methods to make them more effective. It is always used with the diaphragm and cervical cap.
EFFECTIVENESS: When used perfectly 85% which lowers to 71% with typical use. When used alone, spermicide is not very effective. It is more effective if you also use a female condom or other device like a diaphragm or cervical cap. A male partner can make spermicide more effective by using a latex condom or pulling out before ejaculation.
SIDE EFFECTS: Some women complain that spermicides are messy or that they leak from their vaginas. Spermicide may irritate the penis or vagina. Switching brands may solve this problem. The most commonly used spermicide in the U.S. is called nonoxynol-9. Nonoxynol-9 has certain risks. If it is used many times a day, or if it is used by people at risk for HIV, it may irritate tissue and increase the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
COST: Spermicide is available at local family planning clinics, drugstores, and some supermarkets. Applicator kits of foam and gel cost about $8. Refills cost $4-$8. Large cans of foam contain between 20 and 40 applications. Film and suppositories are also about $8.
Pregnancy Options
Millions of women face unplanned pregnancies every year. In fact, half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. If you think you may be pregnant, the first step is to take a pregnancy test. Women whose home pregnancy tests show they are pregnant often go to a health care provider to have the results confirmed.
If you are pregnant, you have three main options to think about – abortion, adoption, and parenting. For more information, read about the benefits and risks of each option at The American Pregnancy Association website. Think about which benefits and risks are most important to you.*
Abortion
USE: Abortion is a safe and legal way for women to choose to end pregnancy. There are two kinds of abortion in the U.S.: in-clinic abortion and the abortion pill.
- In-Clinic: The most common in-clinic procedure is called aspiration or vacuum aspiration. Aspiration is usually used up to 16 weeks after a woman’s last period. More than 9 out of 10 abortions in the United States happen during this time. D&E (dilation and evacuation) is another kind of in-clinic abortion. D&E is usually performed later than 16 weeks after a woman’s last period. Less than 1 out of 10 abortions in the United States happen during this time. After 24 weeks of pregnancy, abortions are performed only for serious health reasons.
- Abortion Pill: The name for “the abortion pill” is mifepristone. It was called RU-486 when it was being developed and is 97% effective. Like an in-clinic abortion, a follow up with a health care provider is needed after an abortion to ensure the pregnancy is ended and there were no complications. Some of the medicines used in medication abortion may cause serious birth defects if the pregnancy continues. So, in the unlikely case that it doesn’t work, an aspiration abortion is needed to end the pregnancy.
EFFECTIVENESS: These abortion methods are safe and work almost all the time. A follow up exam with a health care provider will make sure it worked and there are no complications.
SIDE EFFECTS: Some bleeding after an abortion is normal. A women may pass a few clots about the size of a quarter. It’s normal to have spotting that lasts up to six weeks, heavy bleeding for a few days or bleeding that stops and starts again. During this time, it’s OK to use pads or tampons, but using pads makes it easier to keep track of your bleeding. It’s also normal to have no bleeding after an abortion.
Serious complications from abortions are rare but have warning signs. These might include: very heavy bleeding (if you pass clots larger than a lemon or soak through more than two maxi pads an hour, for two hours or more in a row), pain or discomfort (not helped by medication, rest, a hot water bottle, or a heating pad), a fever, vomiting for more than 4-6 hours, an unpleasant, smelly discharge from your vagina, or signs that the person is still pregnant.
The abortion pill also has rare risks of allergic reaction, incomplete abortion, infection, undetected ectopic pregnancy, or very heavy bleeding. Signs of serious complications are similar to that of an in-clinic abortion and medical care should be sought if any of these symptoms are present.
Choosing to have an abortion can be a very emotional decision and women may have a wide range of feelings after an abortion. Some women feel anger, regret, guilt, or sadness for a little while. Serious, long-term emotional problems after abortion are about as uncommon as they are after giving birth. A health care (or abortion) provider can provide resources about how to deal with post-abortion emotional issues. You can also get more information about post-abortion issues here.
COST: The cost at health centers ranges from about $350 to $900 for abortion in the first trimester. The cost is usually more for a second-trimester abortion. Costs vary depending on how long you’ve been pregnant and where you go. Hospitals generally cost more than family planning centers like Planned Parenthood.
Adoption
Adoption is the act of carrying a pregnancy to term and then letting someone else raise your child. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, and do not want to have an abortion or be a parent, adoption might be right for you. It is a permanent, legal agreement in which you agree to place your child in the care of another person or family.
Here are some things to ask yourself if you are considering adoption:
- Am I ready to be a parent?
- Can I afford to be a parent now?
- Can I accept not being my child’s primary parent?
- Is someone pressuring me to choose adoption?
- Am I prepared to go through pregnancy and childbirth?
- Will I be able to cope with the feeling of loss that I may have?
- Do I have people in my life who will help me through the pregnancy and adoption process?
- How important is it to me what other people will think about my decision?
You may want to discuss your answers with your partner, someone in your family, a friend, a trusted religious adviser, or a counselor.
There are two types of adoption – “open” and “closed.” Open adoptions can involve contact between the birth parent(s) and the adopting family. This can sometimes mean that the birth parent(s) have a choice in who adopts their child based on the family’s values, lifestyle, and religion. It can also include contact after the child is adopted; ongoing visits with the child, phone calls, or pictures. Closed adoptions, or confidential adoptions, happen when the birth mother and adopting family do not have any information about one another. Women may choose a closed adoption in order to have more privacy.
The laws about birth fathers are different from state to state, so talk with an adoption counselor or lawyer about what rights a birth father has in your state. You may need his consent in order to plan an adoption.
For more information on adoption, see the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.
Parenting
What to do about an unplanned pregnancy is an important and common decision faced by women. If you’re trying to decide if parenting is the right option for you, you may find it helpful to list the advantages and disadvantages of having a child.
Here are some questions you might ask yourself if you’re considering keeping and parenting a child:
- Am I ready to help a child feel wanted and loved?
- Am I ready to cope with a tighter budget, less time for myself, and more stress?
- Do I have the support of family and friends?
- Am I ready to accept responsibility for all my child’s needs?
- Would I prefer to have a child at another time?
- Is anyone pressuring me to continue or end the pregnancy?
- Can I afford to have a child?
- What would it mean for my future and my family’s future if I had a child now?
- How important is it to me what other people will think about my decision?
- Can I handle the experience of pregnancy and raising a child?
Think about what your answers mean to you. You may want to discuss your answers with your partner, someone in your family, a friend, a trusted religious adviser, or a counselor.
Whether you choose adoption or to become a parent, if there is a chance that you will continue the pregnancy, prenatal care should begin as soon as possible. A medical exam early in your pregnancy – and regularly throughout your pregnancy – make sure that you are healthy and the pregnancy is normal.
Even though most women have safe and healthy pregnancies, there are certain risks of pregnancy for a woman. They range from discomforts, such as nausea, fatigue, and aches and pains, to more serious risks, such as blood clots, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In extremely rare cases, complications can be fatal. That’s why early and regular prenatal care is very important.
It may be important to take your time and think carefully about your decision. But you may not want to wait too long. If you are considering abortion, you should know that abortion is very safe, but the risks increase the longer a pregnancy goes on.
*The information below has been taken mainly from the Planned Parenthood webpage on contraceptive methods.
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