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I didn't intend to become pregnant, what should I do now?
When you know you are pregnant and didn't intend it to happen
now, it is often difficult to decide what to do next. There are,
however, many people and organisations you can approach for advice.
How long do I have to make a decision?
Your decision about an unintended pregnancy is among the few
important decisions in your life that you will need to make fairly
quickly. It is essential, however, that you take enough time.
You want to be sure that you are making the best choice for you
now. It is safest to have a termination (abortion) before 12 weeks
of pregnancy (that is, 12 weeks since the last normal period).
To allow time for the various necessary appointments, you need
to take the first steps by eight weeks if at all possible.
What are my options?
If you have an unintended pregnancy, you have three options.
You can decide:
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To have the baby, and alter your plans in order to look after
it after it is born (antenatal
care).
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To have the baby, putting your immediate plans on hold for
the duration of the pregnancy, and then arrange for adoption.
This can be an option if you feel strongly against termination
but don't want to, or can't, care for a child (antenatal
care).
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To have a termination of the pregnancy. See also deciding
on a termination.
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