Pregnant and Don’t Know What to Do? What You Need to Know About Unplanned Pregnancy in Alaska

Finding out you’re pregnant when you weren’t planning on it is a lot to process. You aren’t alone—thousands have been in your exact position. Whether you’re in Utqiagvik, Attu, Nome, Ketchikan, or anywhere in-between, there are resources to help you and people who understand what you’re going through and will walk you through your options.

Alaska’s geography can make this feel even more isolating—rural communities mean accessing services or finding someone to talk to might feel harder. But support exists for you, even if it’s not right down the street. This decision is yours to make, and you don’t need everything figured out right now.

Need to talk to someone? Call us at 1-800-236-7846 to speak with a counselor who can walk you through your options.

You’re Pregnant and Don’t Know What to Do—Start Here

Whatever you’re feeling right now makes sense. Shock, fear, confusion, numbness—these are normal reactions to an unplanned pregnancy. You’re probably wondering how far along you are, what your actual options are, or who you can talk to without getting pushed in a direction you’re not ready for.

Haven’t taken a pregnancy test or gotten an ultrasound yet? That’s a good first step. Knowing how far along you are helps you understand your timeline. But you don’t need to decide anything today. Take the time to process this and think about what feels right. Talk to someone you trust—a friend, family member, or counselor who won’t freak out—and that can guide you toward clarity.

Understanding Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options in Alaska

When you’re pregnant and trying to figure out what to do, understanding what’s possible matters. In Alaska, three options exist: parenting, abortion, and adoption. There’s no universal “right” answer—just what’s right for your situation. Each path comes with different practical considerations, different support systems, and different outcomes for you and your baby.

Parenting

Parenting means you raise your child. This works when you feel ready to be a mom, or when you have people around you who can help you get there. It requires financial stability, emotional readiness, and a support system, though programs exist to help bridge gaps.

Abortion

Abortion ends the pregnancy. Whether this is available depends on how far along you are and where you live in Alaska. It’s a medical procedure with its own considerations, costs, and emotional aspects. You can find excellent resource to help complete this process safely, even in rural Alaska.

Adoption

Adoption means you choose a family to raise your child, and you decide how much contact you want to have. A lot of women choose this because they want their baby to have stability they can’t provide right now, while still being able to know their child is okay.

What to Know About Parenting After an Unplanned Pregnancy

Maybe you’re thinking about parenting but wondering if you can make it work. Raising a child affects everything—your finances, your job or school, where you live, what your days look like. In Alaska, there are additional considerations like the cost of living, especially in remote areas, and limited access to childcare in some communities.

Consider your current financial situation—can you cover rent and bills on what you’re making, or is support available? Think about your support network. Do you have people who would show up when you need them?

Your education and career matter too. What would having a baby mean for your school or work plans right now? When you picture the daily reality of taking care of a baby, does it feel doable?

Those wanting to parent but needing support will find Alaska programs designed for this. Medicaid covers healthcare, WIC provides food assistance, and the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program offers financial support. Community health centers and family programs can connect you with childcare help and parenting classes, and other services. Access to these programs can vary depending on where you live, but they exist to help you make parenting more manageable.

Is Abortion Legal in Alaska? Your Rights and Access

Abortion is legal in Alaska without a specific week cutoff, though where you live affects how easy it is to access. Alaska’s size and remoteness mean that accessing abortion care can require significant planning, especially if you’re outside major cities.

Anchorage has more providers. Rural areas usually require travel, sometimes involving flights or long drives. The abortion pill is generally available up to about 11 weeks. Surgical abortion might be available later, depending on the clinic. Travel costs, time off work, and arranging childcare if you have other kids can all become barriers on top of the procedure cost itself.

Alaska doesn’t require waiting periods or parental consent for adults, so you can make this decision on your own timeline. Cost can be a barrier—some insurance covers it, and places like Planned Parenthood sometimes offer financial help or sliding fees based on what you can afford.

Those considering this option should call a clinic soon to find out what’s available and schedule an appointment. Travel required? Clinics can walk you through what to expect and how to plan.

Considering Adoption? What It Really Means

Adoption gets misunderstood. Choosing it doesn’t mean you’re giving up or that you don’t care—it means you’re making a hard choice to give your child a life you can’t provide right now, with a family who can.

When you work with us, we can help cover your pregnancy expenses—medical bills, rent, food, maternity clothes. This is legal and doesn’t cost you anything. You’ll have counselors you can call anytime who will support you through this. We’ll answer your questions and be there before, during, and after placement.

You pick who adopts your baby. You’ll look at profiles, maybe meet families, and choose people who feel right for your child. Most adoptions today are open, meaning you can stay in touch through letters, photos, phone calls, or visits—whatever you’re comfortable with. We offer counseling, support groups, and resources after the adoption is finalized as you adjust to this transition.

Adoption gives you some say in what happens to your child and your own life. It’s a decision that comes from wanting what’s best for your baby.

Not Sure What to Do About an Unplanned Pregnancy? How To Make the Right Decision

When you’re pregnant and trying to decide what to do, it can feel like too much.

Ask yourself a few questions. What matters to you? Not what you think you should care about—what do you actually care about? Your education, career, family, independence, what kind of life your child would have? Who can you count on? Do you have people who will support whatever you decide, or are you mostly figuring this out alone? What does your gut say?

Under everything else, there’s usually some sense of what feels right, and you can listen to that. What’s actually possible? Your finances, where you live, whether you can get to healthcare, what kind of help is available—these practical things matter.

Take the time you need to get information, talk to people you trust, and think about what you want.

Talk to Someone You Can Trust—Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling in Alaska

Feeling alone with this or overwhelmed? Talking to someone trained in pregnancy options can help. We offer unplanned pregnancy counseling—our counselors listen, walk you through what each option means, and support whatever you decide. They guide you toward what makes sense for your life, your situation, and your future.

Our counselors understand the specific challenges that come with being pregnant in Alaska—the distances, the limited access to services in some areas, the isolation that can come with living in a remote community. They can navigate those practical realities while also giving you space to process the emotional side of this decision.

Resources for Unplanned Pregnancies in Alaska

You don’t have to do this by yourself. Here are some Alaska resources that can help, depending on what you need:

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium – Healthcare including prenatal care for Alaska Native and American Indian people. (Anchorage)
Website: anthc.org

Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center – Low-cost and sliding-scale prenatal care and family planning. (Anchorage)
Website: anhc.org

Alaska Family Services – Adoption services and pregnancy counseling. (Anchorage)
Website: akfamily.org

Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest – Pregnancy testing, abortion services, and reproductive healthcare. (Anchorage)
Website: plannedparenthood.org

Alaska Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program – Nutrition assistance for pregnant women and young children.
Website: dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/nutri/wic

Alaska Temporary Assistance Program – Financial help for low-income families.
Website: dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/default.aspx

You Deserve Support—Where to Start

Being pregnant and not knowing what to do is hard. Figuring it out alone makes it harder. Whether you’re thinking about parenting, abortion, adoption, or honestly just trying to process all of this—we’re here to support you.

Counselors are available to talk through your options without pressure. When you call, you’ll speak with someone who understands what you’re going through and can answer your questions about any path you’re considering. We can walk you through what each option looks like, what resources are available in Alaska, and what your next steps might be.

Call us at 1-800-236-7846. It’s free, confidential, and we’re here 24/7. No judgment, no pressure—just someone to talk to who will listen and support you as you work through this decision.