After two long, excruciating minutes you look at the test. There, like a real life horror story, are two blue lines. Your heart drops. Your eyes water. Your legs feel shaky. You are pregnant. In one moment everything about your life changed. All of the sudden, you have to make the biggest choice of your life — what will you do about your pregnancy?
There are multiple options and resources to help pregnant college women make decisions on what is best for the mother and the child. There is the option to go through with the pregnancy and keep the child. One may also choose to put the child up for adoption. Lastly, there is the choice to have an abortion. It’s important to research your decision and make sure that, no matter what, you feel comfortable with the choice you make.
Taking the test
It may feel embarrassing or awkward to go to a store and purchase a pregnancy test. Thankfully, if you don’t want to be seen buying a test, there are other places you can go other than CVS. The Women’s Center at the DeWeese Health Center offers pregnancy tests and so does Planned Parenthood. They charge $12 or less for an appointment.
The next step
It is important to remember, once again, that you need to make the best choice for your life. If you choose to keep your child, Kent State does have programs designed to assist mothers. You can fill out a form to the Student Ombuds office, which will connect you to the necessary people in order to assist you in balancing your academic life and motherhood. If you decide to put your child up for adoption, your local Planned Parenthood office will be able to point you in the right direction.
There are not many topics that are as sensitive as abortion. It is a lot more common for women to have an abortion than some may believe. In fact, 3 in 10 women in the U.S. will have an abortion by the time they are 45. There are many women in the U.S. who have gone through the same situation that you, or maybe someone you know, is going through. It’s important for women to be well-informed before making such a choice.
There are two types of abortions, the pill or in-clinic. Both methods are safe with a high rate of effectiveness. The pill method will cost roughly $500. The in-clinic abortion is roughly $450 (the price may vary depending on your state, insurance and the clinic you go to). Before choosing an option, it is important to see a doctor.
After you make a decision
Getting an abortion is not a simple process and there are a number of consequences. While abortions do not typically cause complications with future pregnancies, emotional distress can occur. It is natural to have a wide range of emotions that go along with both pregnancy and choosing adoption or abortion. There is no “correct” way to feel. Some women may feel relieved, shocked, or even depressed. Kent State offers free counseling for students. Even if you are unsure of how you will feel after you terminate your pregnancy, it is advisable to make an appointment to talk to someone. It is crucial to have a support system during such a difficult time, whether that be family, friends or a significant other. Know that you are not alone.
Choosing to have a child, or put a child up for adoption, is a complicated decision. Find a good support sysytem and think through your options.
If you or someone you know is pregnant or believes she might be, call Planned Parenthood or visit their website for a safe and confidential place to learn more about what is happening. (330) 678-8011