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Parenting

Deciding whether to raise a child is a very important and very personal choice. Everyone’s situation is different, and only you know what’s best for you and your family.

Parenting can be joyful, rewarding, and life-changing. But having a baby is also a lifelong commitment that takes lots of love, energy, and patience. It’s normal to have lots of different feelings about whether you’re ready to take on the challenge of parenting.

More About Parenting

Family, relationships, money, school, work, life goals, personal beliefs, and the well-being of your future child — most people think carefully about all of these things before choosing to parent. But every person’s situation is different, and only you can decide what’s best in your case. Here are some things to ask yourself if you’re thinking about becoming a parent:

  • Do I want to start a family now?

  • Am I ready to be totally responsible for all of my child’s needs?

  • Will I be able to raise my child in a loving and healthy home?

  • Can I afford to raise a child right now?

  • What kind of support will I have from my family, my friends, and my partner/the father?

  • What would having a baby right now mean for my future?

  • How would having a baby right now affect my family or other children?

  • Is someone pressuring me to become a parent?

  • Am I ready to go through pregnancy and childbirth?

  • Do my partner and I both feel good about staying together and parenting together?

  • How do I feel about co-parenting if we break up, or parenting alone?

Give Us a Call

Our option counseling staff is available to help you form a plan. They are professionally trained and knowledgeable about parenting, adoption and abortion. Give us a call to discuss your options with our health care professionals.

Call 314-531-5726

Prenatal, Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

Affinia Healthcare

South Location

3930 South Broadway

St. Louis, MO 63118

314-898-1742

Sliding Fee, Medicare, Medicaid

Family Care Health Centers

Carondelet Location

401 Holly Hills

St. Louis, Mo 63111

314-353-5190

Sliding Fee, Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance

People's Health Centers

Central Site

5701 Delmar Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63112

314-781-9162

Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, Self-Pay

Southern Illinois Healthcare

Mother-Child Center

6000 Bond Avenue

Centerville, IL 62207

618-332-2740

St. Louis County Health Centers

North Central Health Center

4000 Jennings Station Road

St. Louis, MO 63121

314-679-7800

Teen Pregnancy Center

1 Barnes Jewish Hospital Plaza

St. Louis, MO 63110

314-454-8259

Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri

Services provided include case management; adoption services; baby items; child care assistance; emergency temporary foster care; counseling; prenatal care; and infant care among other services for pregnant women.

314-787-5100 or 1-866-326-5327

What are my other options?

Other Options