:. Women's Care Center

Single parenting is not an easy choice to make. You will have many days where you might not think you can make it. Even though we're glad you chose life, we want to make sure that you are not putting yourself into a stressful and harmful situation. Remember to learn about all of your options! Our pregnancy center advocates are ready to assist you in discovering all the support services that exist in your area. We exist to support you throughout your pregnancy and beyond!

Here are some questions to consider about single parenting:

If I can't afford to live on my own, where can I live with my baby?
We can help you explore your housing options before you deliver. There are many safe and affordable places in your area. Most single parents need to work. Consider your childcare options in each situation:

•		Living with a friend or relative
•		Staying in a group home for single mothers
•		Living with your parents or the birthfather's parents
•		Finding an apartment in public, subsidized housing

Can anyone help me with baby items, maternity clothes, etc.?
Our pregnancy care center has many material resources for you and your baby. We can help you with maternity clothes, baby furniture, baby clothing, parenting classes, etc.

How do I get support from the father?
The father's legal responsibilities include providing financial support for your child. Most states have a child support enforcement agency that will withhold money from his paycheck if he is unwilling to pay. If the father is unable to provide child support, you need to plan how you will care for your baby without him. A birthfather's support record may influence court decisions about custody and visitation rights.

In some states, the father's name is not even put on the birth certificate unless you request it. If he has signed a notarized paternity affidavit, he may have legal rights, including visitation and the right to deny or consent to medical decisions for your child. Our pregnancy advocates will provide more details about the birthfather's rights and responsibilities. You and the father should also discuss your individual rights and responsibilities. A child's needs are best met when you and the father work together.

I don't want to be a mother on welfare. Can I get job training?
We can help you discover programs that best fit your employment needs. If you are receiving assistance, you may be eligible for programs that help with job training, tuition, and childcare. Otherwise, you might rely on educational grants and loans while working to cover living expenses and childcare. We'd be happy to help you discover all the services that can support your job-related educational needs.

Can I still choose adoption later if parenting doesn't work out?
If single parenting becomes too difficult and you decide to consider adoption, adoption is still an option. It takes courage to realize that by yourself you cannot provide all that your child needs. But separating from a child with whom you have bonded can be difficult. We will be happy to connect you with several adoption agencies in your area that can help you.

I'm not sure I will be a good parent…
Parenting can be a struggle at any age no matter what the circumstances. Our center offers parenting classes that will help you in all areas of home care and baby management. Realize that we are here to help you and want you to become the best parent possible.

Many young people don't realize that marriage is really an option in a crisis pregnancy. Couples that married in their teen years because of a crisis pregnancy often enjoy a great deal of happiness. So don't rule out the possibility of marriage even if everyone else seems to think it's not a good idea.

Getting married means that your baby has the benefit of their father's name and income. In cases of separation, mothers who were married often are more successful in establishing child support and paternal grandparent involvement than the non-married. Of course marriage requires that both individuals want to be joined in this union. At our center we can help both you and the father of your baby understand this option and the benefits it can bring to both your lives.

If you are considering an abortion, we want you to know what this choice could mean to your future. You do have the choice not to have an abortion and we can help. We want to help you avoid being hurt physically and emotionally by offering solutions.

You don't need to make this decision right away. Slow down and allow time to think. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to have an abortion. We exist to offer you choices. There are risks to most abortion procedures. Because of these dangers we do not recommend or refer for abortion.

Here are some things to consider before you make this decision:

Know the possible risks in an abortion
From the thousands of women now working in the pregnancy care world who have had abortions, we know that abortion has physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological risks.

Get a blood or urine pregnancy test to confirm you are really pregnant
It could be that you are not actually pregnant. We provide a laboratory quality urine test free of charge as a service to women. A trained pregnancy center advocate can provide additional information relevant to your situation. All of are free and confidential.

Confirm your pregnancy with a doctor who doesn't do abortions
It is possible that the abortion clinic may provide you with incorrect information in order to obtain your abortion fee. Carol Everett is a woman who used to provide abortion services in Texas. She testified in Congress that she sold abortions to women who were not pregnant but feared they were. For the best medical input on abortion we recommend you speak with a medical professional that has nothing to gain in your abortion decision.

Ask for the doctor's name that is performing the abortion
Abortion is legal in the United States but bad medical care is not. Women have died as a result of their "safe and legal" abortions. Some have had their bodies hurt to the point that they can no longer have children. If you don't know the doctor's name that is doing your abortion, you may not find out. The abortion doctor could be counting on you not holding him accountable for hurting you because many women are afraid to let anyone know about this choice afterwards.

Don't sign anything that releases the doctor or the abortion clinic from being responsible for hurting you during your abortion
Many women have said that they were so upset by the emotion of the day that they signed anything put in front of them in order to "get out and have it done with." If the center asks you to sign anything, take your time to read it over. If you don't understand something, ask questions. If you don't understand their answers, push them further. Don't be in a rush because anything you sign could affect you in the future.

Understand you have rights in an abortion
It is against the law for anyone to force you to have an abortion. Not even a husband or parent can require you to undergo an abortion against your will, even if you are a minor (under 18 years old). Our center exists to help you in any circumstance. We can help you discuss this choice with those closest to you that are influencing your decision. The law in many states also requires abortion providers to give you information on: 1) possible complications, 2) the development of the baby, and 3) organizations that provide alternatives to abortion.

Verify that the abortion clinic is clean and sanitary
Many women report that the general area of the clinic where they had their abortions was unclean, dusty and even smelled bad. Infections can result from unsanitary conditions. If you find yourself in a clinic be sure to question their sanitizing procedures and view the condition of each room to ensure that you are receiving excellent care. If they don't provide sufficient information to determine these conditions, give yourself permission to leave and demand a refund of your money.

Understand you can change your mind - even at the last minute
Many women who have experienced abortion relay that they felt they had to go through with the procedure once they had entered the clinic. Others say that they waited on the abortion table to be "rescued" by their boyfriend at the last minute. Some clinics even told the women that they couldn't get their money back if they changed their mind.

Abortion providers know that this is an agonizing decision and sometimes see women change their mind at the last minute because, as they say, "I simply can't do this!" Know your rights. Don't be pressured or intimidated. If the procedure is not performed, demand your money back.

Understand that it's not a "blob of tissue"
Some abortion clinics tell women that their babies are not human at all but simply a "blob of tissue" or a "dot". For many it is easier to have an abortion if the woman believes her child isn't yet human. Ultrasound photos show that at early stages of pregnancy the humanness of the embryo is clearly evident. When some women see these photos after their abortion they are overwhelmed and grieved that the information the abortion clinic provides was misleading. An ultrasound will reveal the true development of your children.
Learn more about what a preborn child looks like, click - HERE

Know you are not alone
Women who feel like they have no other choice often change their minds when visiting our center and understanding our support services. We exist to help you at any level of your pregnancy. There is no obstacle too big that can't be overcome with friendship and support.

Many people have a misleading idea of adoption. They have heard harsh stories about how newborn babies are ripped from their mother's arms and placed with strangers. Some think, "How could you go through your life never knowing what happened to your child?" Adoption is very different today from even twenty years ago. You have the right to select your baby's parents, meet them and even keep in touch over the years. These changes have made the adoption option much easier to consider.

There are many reasons to consider adoption. Maybe you know in your heart that you can't take care of your baby. There's not enough time, money, or help. Maybe you already have children and one more baby would be too much stress on you! Perhaps you are just afraid and want to know more about this choice.

The good news about your situation is that there are many loving couples that would love to have a baby of their own, but can't due to infertility. They are waiting for a person like you - a person that wants to give a baby life, and share that baby with them. They want to love you and your baby and provide a strong and stable environment where you child can flourish.

You are doing the right thing by researching all of your options. Adoption is a choice that you need to think about carefully, but if you can't parent, no matter what the reason, adoption may be the right choice for you! Our center would be glad to provide you with a referral to several adoption agencies in our area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption:

How can I be helped financially?
There is no cost to you for adoption. This center can provide you with a referral to several agencies that will help you free of charge. Many agencies will work with the adoptive parents to pay for all your pregnancy-related expenses as well.

Can I choose a family for my baby?
Yes! Most agencies have many different families you can choose from. These families have been screened and approved. There are additional options such as choosing a friend or someone who has been recommended to you.

How often will I get to see my baby after birth and after adoption?
You may have as much contact with your baby at the hospital as you desire. When planning your child's adoption, you can choose an open adoption plan that allows ongoing visits with your child, or you can choose semi-open adoption that keeps you informed about your child's progress through letters and pictures. If you prefer not to have any contact with your child or the adoptive family, confidential plans are also possible.

Tell me more about open adoption:
With an option adoption plan you are able to:

•		Meet potential adoptive families before making their selection.
•		You and the adoptive family exchange information (names and addresses) at the appropriate time.
•		There may be ongoing contact in the form of: attending the birth of the child, attending physician visits together, visiting the home, gathering as extended family members during special occasions, etc.
•		There is direct correspondence between you and the family
•		You and the family contact each other directly by telephone

What's a "semi-open" adoption plan:
In a semi-open plan you choose a family from written non-identifying material provided by the agency.

•		An agency or third party mediates the contact between you and the adoptive family before and after the birth
•		You will know the adoptive family by their first names only
•		Adoptive parents may be present at the birth and may meet you before the birth
•		All correspondence is sent through the agency or third party
•		Post-placement meetings are arranged and supervised by the mediator
•		Adoptive parents often share the child's pictures and letters with you, but may also include gifts, videotapes, etc.

How soon after birth can my baby go to the parents I choose?
The timing of your child's placement depends on three factors:

•		What you prefer to be the time of placement
•		Legal aspects of adoption, which may vary from state to state
•		The cooperation of the birthfather

Many women want their baby placed with the adoptive family directly from the hospital, but you may prefer to place your baby in temporary care while you consider adoption.

How much will my child know about me?
That depends on what type of adoption you choose - open, semi-open, or confidential. Also, your agency will encourage you to provide your complete medical and social history to your child, no matter what type of adoption you choose (in some states this is required).

Does the birthfather have any rights?
Both you and the birthfather have rights. If you disagree about adoption or you no longer have a relationship with him, your agency will work with the birthfather and/or the courts to determine if his rights can be terminated.

Can my child find me if he/she wants to search someday?
Laws in your state determine when your child may have access to information in the adoption file.

Women's Care Center
304 Eastgate Road
Sevierville, TN 37862
865.428.HOPE (4673)
wccsev@charterinternet.com