What is All Options Pregnancy Counseling?
All Options Counseling — or Informed Consent — at Planned Parenthood is an opportunity to explore alternatives during an unplanned pregnancy. You may bring your partner, your parents, or someone else to your appointment if you wish. It's free and totally confidential. Our Informed Consent Specialists provide unbiased information and non-judgmental support for each woman's decision.
No Easy Answers
When faced with an unintended pregnancy, deciding what to do can be difficult. There is no right or wrong choice for everyone, but Planned Parenthood can help you work through all the options to arrive at a decision that you're comfortable with.
Considering All the Options
One of our Informed Consent Specialists will talk with you and your partner, friend or parent, if you wish, about the three basic options available:
• Having the baby and parenting the child yourself
• Having the baby and placing the child for adoption
• Ending the pregnancy through an abortion
If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, you'll want to think carefully about what decision is best for you.
Your Informed Consent Specialist will help you examine all the options you wish to explore: becoming a parent, adoption or abortion. Our goal is to help you come to the decision which you feel is best for you within your life situation and personal beliefs.
During your visit, a caring, well-trained specialist will discuss each alternative, and help you clarify your feelings about them. Making a decision won't be easy—there's a lot to think about.
Questions which may be considered during your meeting may include:
- Which choice(s) could you live with?
- How would each choice affect your everyday life
- What would each choice mean to the people closest to you?
- What is going on in your life?
- What are your plans for the future?
- What are your spiritual and moral beliefs?
- What do you believe is best for you in the long run?
A decision may not be reached by the end of the consultation. Help from your partner, family, friends or clergy is encouraged. If you feel you’re not ready to decide, we’ll give you help on how to further examine your choices:
- A list of Clergy who can help with faith based concerns.
- A brochure regarding adoption alternatives and agencies which can assist with this option.
- Information on financial assistance.
- Information about pregnancy and referrals for prenatal care.
- Abortion information and referral to Planned Parenthood or other providers.
You will be provided with information and referrals for whatever option or options you are considering including returning for a second appointment if you wish, or talking to your specialist on the phone if you have questions or concerns after you leave.
Planned Parenthood is here to help you with information and referral for whatever option you decide is best for you. Call (269) 372-1200 in Kalamazoo or (269) 964-0885 in Battle Creek. Toll Free in the 269, 616 & 231 area codes (800) 559-9093.
