Unplanned Pregnancy: Learn About Your Options

You just saw the result. Maybe your hands are shaking. Maybe you’re sitting completely still, staring at nothing. Maybe you’ve been suspecting this for days and part of you already knew.

Whatever you’re feeling right now — panic, confusion, grief, relief, or a complicated tangle of all of them at once — it is valid. There is no wrong reaction to an unplanned pregnancy.

Here is what you need to know right now, before anything else: you have real options. All of them are legal in some form. All of them are supported by real people and real resources. And none of them require you to decide today.

What you need in this moment is honest, clear, unbiased information — not pressure, not ideology, not a clinic with an agenda. This guide gives you exactly that. We cover every option in full, walk you through how to figure out how far along you are, explain what the political landscape means for your access, tell you which “clinics” to avoid, and give you the tools to make the decision that is right for your life.

What Is an Unplanned Pregnancy?

An unplanned pregnancy — also called an unintended or unexpected pregnancy — is any pregnancy that was not planned or actively desired at the time of conception. This includes pregnancies where contraception failed, where no contraception was used, or where life circumstances changed between intention and reality.

About 1 in 2 pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. That is not a rare edge case. That is half. It means that if you’re sitting with a positive test right now, you are in the company of millions of people who have been exactly where you are — people of every age, income level, relationship status, education level, and background.

An unplanned pregnancy does not reflect a failure of character. It does not determine your future. And it does not obligate you to any particular path forward.

Step One: Find Out How Far Along You Are

Before you weigh your options, you need one critical piece of information: how far along you are.

Gestational age — measured in weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), not from conception — determines which options are medically available to you and how urgently you need to act. It also determines what type of abortion is possible, when prenatal care should begin, and whether any immediate medical concerns (like an ectopic pregnancy) need to be ruled out.

How to determine your gestational age:

• Home pregnancy test — Confirms you’re pregnant but does not tell you gestational age
• Clinic blood or urine test — More sensitive than a home test, especially in very early pregnancy
• Ultrasound — The gold standard. Confirms the pregnancy is in the uterus, detects cardiac activity, and gives an accurate gestational age. Usually available from 6–8 weeks.

One critical warning: do not go to a Crisis Pregnancy Center for your ultrasound. These locations advertise free ultrasounds but are not real medical clinics and they are designed to manipulate your options, not inform them. More on this below.

👉 For a complete breakdown of how gestational age is calculated, what each week means for your options, and how to get an accurate ultrasound: Read our full cluster guide How Pregnant Am I? Calculating Your Gestational Age Accurately

Your Three Options — Explained in Full

Every person facing an unplanned pregnancy has three medically recognized options:

• Parenting — continuing the pregnancy and raising the child yourself
• Abortion — ending the pregnancy safely through medication or an in-clinic procedure
• Adoption — continuing the pregnancy and placing the child with another family

None of these paths is easy. All of them are valid. What’s right for someone else may not be right for you — and the goal of this guide is to give you the honest information you need to figure out which path is right for you.

Option 1: Parenting

Choosing to parent means continuing your pregnancy, giving birth, and raising the child — alone, with a partner, or with the support of family. It is the most visible option, and it is also the one most often romanticized without full honesty about what it involves.

The honest picture:

Many parents will tell you the timing was never “perfect” and they figured it out. Others wish they had more support, more financial stability, or more emotional readiness before they made this choice. Both experiences are real and both deserve to be acknowledged.

What parenting after an unplanned pregnancy actually requires:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 at approximately $233,000 — and that number doesn’t include college. Government programs exist to help close the gap, including Medicaid for pregnancy coverage, WIC for nutrition support, SNAP for food assistance, CHIP for children’s health coverage, and childcare subsidies through state programs.

Prenatal care should begin as early as possible — ideally in the first trimester. A prenatal vitamin with folic acid should start right away, before your first OB appointment.

Having a strong support system — a partner, family, friends, or community organization — is consistently shown to reduce the risk of postpartum depression and improve outcomes for both parent and child. Isolation is one of the hardest parts of early parenting; it’s worth being honest with yourself about what your support system actually looks like.

A critical note: If anyone — a partner, a parent, a clinic — is pressuring you to continue this pregnancy, that matters. Coercion is not the same as support. You deserve to make this decision freely. If you feel unsafe or pressured, call the All-Options Talkline at 1-888-493-0092.

Option 2: Abortion

Abortion is a safe, common, and legal medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. It is one of the most frequently performed reproductive health procedures in the United States, and it has been practiced safely for decades.

The most important thing to know is this: the vast majority of people who have abortions report that it was the right decision for them. Large-scale studies consistently show that the predominant long-term emotion following an abortion is relief — not regret.

Why People Choose Abortion

There is no single reason. Research from the Guttmacher Institute shows that nearly 9 in 10 people who have abortions cite at least two reasons for their decision, and the average number of reasons given is four.

The most commonly cited reasons include:

• Financial: About 73% of abortion patients say they cannot afford a baby at the time of their pregnancy. Between housing, healthcare, childcare, and food, raising a child in the U.S. costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Timing and life stage: About 74% say continuing the pregnancy would interfere with their education, work, or ability to care for existing dependents.
• Relationship or support concerns: About 48% cite relationship problems or not wanting to become a single parent.
• Already parenting: More than half of people who have abortions are already parents — and they know what it takes to raise a child well.
• Medical reasons: Some people face serious health complications during pregnancy — ectopic pregnancies, severe hypertension, fetal anomalies incompatible with life — where abortion is medically necessary.
• Sexual violence: A smaller percentage of people become pregnant through rape or incest. For survivors, abortion can be a critical step toward healing and bodily autonomy.

These reasons are not rankings. They are not justifications. The truth is simpler: simply wanting an abortion is a sufficient reason to have one. No one should have to defend that decision.

👉 For a deeper, data-driven look at every reason people choose abortion Read our guide: Why People Have Abortions: The Real Reasons, Backed by Research

Types of Abortion: What’s Available and When

Medication Abortion (The Abortion Pill)

Medication abortion uses two medications taken in sequence:

Mifepristone is taken first to block the hormone progesterone, stopping the pregnancy from developing. Misoprostol is taken 24–48 hours later to cause the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy — similar to what happens during a miscarriage.

• FDA-approved through 10 weeks (70 days) of pregnancy
• Effectiveness: 95–98%
• Can be done at home or any comfortable, private space
• More affordable than in-clinic procedures in most cases
• Available via telehealth and mail-order in eligible states — no in-person visit required
• Does not affect future fertility or increase cancer risk
• Clinically safer than penicillin or acetaminophen

In-Clinic (Procedural) Abortion

Both procedures are safe and effective. Neither causes harm to future pregnancies.

What About Abortion Access in 2026?

The legal landscape changed fundamentally after the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturned Roe v. Wade, returning abortion regulation to individual states. As of 2026:

• 14 states have near-total abortion bans in effect
• Several additional states have restrictions at 6, 12, or 15 weeks gestational age
• Many states have full legal access with no gestational age restrictions
• Telehealth providers operating under shield laws continue to serve patients in restricted states
• Interstate travel for abortion care has become increasingly common, with some states passing laws to protect people who travel for care

Access is unequal and rapidly evolving. If you are in a restricted state, options still exist — including telehealth under shield law protections, abortion funds that cover travel and accommodation, and clinics in neighboring states. Call the National Abortion Federation Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 for state-specific guidance and financial assistance.

Option 3: Adoption

Adoption means continuing the pregnancy, giving birth, and placing your child with another individual or family who will raise them. It is not “giving up.” It is not a failure. It is a deliberate, courageous decision that deserves full information and zero pressure.

Adoption is also frequently misrepresented  either romanticized as selfless and simple, or stigmatized as something people do when they “couldn’t commit.” The reality is far more human and complex than either narrative.

Types of Adoption Available Today:

What every birth parent deserves to know:

• You pay nothing. Adoptive families and agencies cover all medical costs. In many states, agencies can also assist with living expenses during pregnancy.
• You can change your mind at any point before the adoption is legally finalized — including after birth, within state-specific legal timeframes.
• Open adoption agreements are legally recognized in many states, meaning ongoing contact with your child is a real and enforceable possibility — not just a promise.
• Post-adoption counseling is widely available and strongly recommended. The emotional complexity of placing a child for adoption is real and deserves professional support — before, during, and after.

For detailed, state-specific adoption information, visit Planned Parenthood’s adoption resources or contact American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION.

What Are Crisis Pregnancy Centers — And Why Should You Be Careful?

When you search “pregnancy help near me” or “pregnancy options,” many of the top results will be Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs). They use names like “pregnancy resource center,” “women’s health center,” or “pregnancy care center” — and they often offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and parenting classes.

They are not neutral medical clinics. They do not provide care for all pregnancy options. And they are not required to give you medically accurate information.

CPCs are typically operated by anti-abortion organizations. They exist for one purpose: to persuade you not to have an abortion. Common tactics include:

• Offering free ultrasounds and tests to get you through the door — then withholding accurate information or medical records
• Providing medically false information about abortion — claiming it causes infertility, cancer, or long-term mental health damage (none of which are supported by medical research)
• Advertising “abortion pill reversal” — a practice not proven effective and potentially dangerous
• Deliberately delaying your appointment until gestational age limits have passed
• Appearing clinical in their branding, staff uniforms, and office décor without being licensed medical facilities

How to identify a CPC before your appointment:

• Search the clinic’s name in the Fake Clinic Database or Expose Fake Clinics directories
• Call ahead and ask: “Do you refer patients to abortion providers if requested?” A real clinic will say yes. A CPC will deflect or say no.
• Look for affiliations with religious or anti-abortion organizations — often listed in fine print or not disclosed at all
• Be cautious of any clinic offering “abortion pill reversal” — this is a red flag

Talking to Your Partner About an Unplanned Pregnancy

One of the most difficult parts of navigating an unplanned pregnancy is often not deciding what to do — it’s having the conversation with the person who is involved. Whether that’s a long-term partner, a newer relationship, or someone you’re no longer with, this conversation can feel impossible before you even begin.

Some people avoid it. Some people blurt it out in the worst possible moment. Most people wish they’d had a better roadmap.

What the research and real experience show:

Having conversations about reproductive choices — abortion, pregnancy, and bodily autonomy — early in a relationship, before a crisis occurs, reduces the emotional difficulty significantly when a real situation arises. Waiting until you’re in the middle of a positive pregnancy test is the hardest possible moment to have a values conversation with someone.

When you do need to have the conversation:

• Choose your setting deliberately. Not in the middle of an argument, not in public, not over text if you can help it. Give this conversation the physical and emotional space it deserves.
• Lead with what you need, not what you’re demanding. “I need you to listen before responding” is a fair and powerful opening.
• Their reaction is their reaction — not a verdict on you. Some partners surprise you with steadiness and support. Others react with fear, withdrawal, or even anger. Neither response is a verdict on your worth or your decision.
• Write it out if speaking feels impossible. A letter allows you to articulate exactly what you need to say, in the order you want to say it, without being derailed by emotion in the moment. It can also serve as an invitation to a deeper conversation — or as a statement that stands alone.
• Bring in support if you need it. A trusted friend, a therapist, or a counselor can help mediate a conversation that feels unsafe or unproductive.

The most important thing to know: In the United States, the legal and medical decision about a pregnancy belongs to the pregnant person. A partner’s perspective deserves to be heard. It does not override yours.

If your partner is pressuring you, threatening you, or making you feel unsafe, that is coercion — and it is not okay. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 if you need support.

Factors That Shape Every Decision

There is no formula that leads to the right answer. But these are the questions most people work through when making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy:

Financially: What does my economic reality look like right now — and in five years? What financial assistance is available to me for each option?

Emotionally: When I imagine each of these paths — not just today, but one year from now, five years from now — how do I feel?

Relationally: What does my support system look like? Am I in a safe, stable relationship? Will I be doing this alone, and if so, what does that actually mean for my life?

Medically: Are there health considerations that affect the pregnancy or any of the options?

Practically: Am I in school? Building a career? Do I have other children who depend on me?

Personally: What do my values, beliefs, cultural background, and sense of self tell me about each path?

None of these questions has a universally correct answer. The goal is to sit with them honestly — ideally with a counselor who has no stake in which answer you arrive at.

Where to Get Real, Judgment-Free Support

The most important thing about finding support is finding people who will hold space for any decision you might make — not people with an ideological or financial investment in your outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do first when I find out I’m unexpectedly pregnant?
Confirm the pregnancy with a test or clinic visit, then determine your gestational age — either by calculating from your last period or getting an ultrasound. Give yourself permission to feel whatever you’re feeling. You don’t need to make any decisions today. When you’re ready to gather information, this guide is a good starting point, and the All-Options Talkline (1-888-493-0092) offers free, judgment-free support for any direction.

2. How much time do I have to decide what to do?
There are time-sensitive medical windows, but no deadline on making your decision thoughtfully. Medication abortion is available through 10 weeks. Aspiration abortion is available through roughly 14–16 weeks. D&E procedures extend beyond that in states where they’re legal. Adoption planning and prenatal care have no hard start deadline — though earlier is better for both. Be aware of your gestational age and what options are available at each stage.

3. Is abortion still legal in the United States in 2026?
It depends entirely on your state. As of 2026, 14 states have near-total bans. Others have restrictions at 6, 12, or 15 weeks. Many states have full legal access. Telehealth options under shield laws and interstate travel remain accessible routes for many people in restricted states. Call the National Abortion Federation Hotline (1-800-772-9100) for current, state-specific access information.

4. What if my partner and I disagree about what to do?
This is more common than most people admit. Your partner’s perspective matters and deserves to be heard — but the legal and medical decision belongs to the pregnant person. If you’re in a safe relationship, working through the conversation together (possibly with a counselor) can be valuable. If your partner is pressuring or threatening you, that is coercion — contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

5. How do I know if a clinic near me is a Crisis Pregnancy Center?
Search the clinic name in the Fake Clinic Database or Expose Fake Clinics directories. Call ahead and ask if they refer to abortion providers — a real clinic will say yes. Watch for claims of “abortion pill reversal,” undisclosed religious affiliations, or refusal to share what services they do and don’t provide. When in doubt, go to Planned Parenthood or a federally qualified health center instead.