I Am Pregnant and Don’t Know What to Do
Finding out you’re pregnant when you didn’t plan to be can feel overwhelming. You might be experiencing shock, fear, confusion—or all of these emotions at once. Whatever you’re feeling right now is completely valid.
The good news is that you have options, you have time to think, and you have people who can help you figure out what’s right for you.
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The first thing to remember is this: you don’t have to make any decisions today.
First Step: Confirm Your Pregnancy Medically
If you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test and it came back positive, your next step should be confirming the pregnancy with a medical professional.
At-home tests are generally accurate, but a clinical pregnancy test—along with an ultrasound—can give you important information like:
- How far along you are
- Whether the pregnancy is viable
- Your estimated due date
This information matters because it affects the options available to you and helps you understand your timeline. Many community health centers and pregnancy resource centers in Colorado offer free or low-cost pregnancy testing and ultrasounds.
Understanding Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options in Colorado
When you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to understand all of your legal options. In Colorado, you have three primary paths forward:
1. Parenting: Raising your child yourself, with or without a partner. This option involves preparing financially, emotionally, and logistically for parenthood.
2. Abortion: Ending the pregnancy through medical or surgical procedures. Colorado has some of the most accessible abortion laws in the country, with no gestational limits.
3. Adoption: Placing your baby with a family you choose, while maintaining the level of contact you’re comfortable with through open adoption arrangements.
Each option comes with its own considerations, and none of them is inherently right or wrong. What matters is what feels right for you, your circumstances, and your future.
What to Know About Parenting After an Unplanned Pregnancy
If you’re considering raising your baby, it’s important to think through the realities—both the beautiful parts and the challenging ones. Parenting is deeply rewarding, but it’s also a long-term commitment that requires emotional readiness, financial stability, and a strong support system.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Do I have stable housing and income?
- Do I have family or friends who can support me?
- Am I emotionally prepared for the demands of raising a child?
- What does childcare look like in my situation?
If you want to parent but feel uncertain about your resources, Colorado offers several programs to help:
Financial and Material Support:
- Colorado Medicaid – Covers prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) – Nutritional assistance for pregnant women and young children
- Colorado PEAK – Apply for SNAP (food assistance), cash assistance, and child care support
- Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) – Help with childcare costs
Parenting Support and Classes:
- Nurse-Family Partnership Colorado – Free home visits from nurses for first-time moms
- Bright by Text – Free parenting tips sent via text
- Local community centers and libraries – Often offer free parenting classes and playgroups
Parenting is possible even when it wasn’t planned—but it’s okay to need help, and it’s okay to decide it’s not the right path for you right now.
Is Abortion Legal in Colorado? Here’s What You Need to Know About Your Rights and Access
Yes, abortion is legal in Colorado at all stages of pregnancy. Colorado is one of the few states with no gestational limit, meaning you can access abortion care regardless of how far along you are.
What You Should Know:
- No waiting period: You don’t have to wait 24 or 48 hours between your consultation and the procedure.
- Parental consent required for minors: If you’re a minor below 18 you will need parental notification or judicial bypass.
- Types of abortion available: Medication abortion (the abortion pill) is available up to about 10 weeks. Surgical abortion is available throughout pregnancy.
Where to Access Abortion Care in Colorado:
- Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains – Locations in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and more
- Cobalt Advocates – Abortion fund and practical support for Coloradans
Abortion is a legal option in Colorado, but it’s also a deeply personal decision. If you’re considering abortion, make sure you have access to accurate medical information and emotional support.
Not sure if abortion is right for you?
That’s okay. You can explore all of your options without pressure. Reach out to an unplanned pregnancy professional who can help you think through your feelings and circumstances.
Considering Adoption? What It Really Means
Adoption is often misunderstood. Many people think of it as “giving up” a baby, but in reality, modern adoption is about making a thoughtful, loving plan for your child’s future—and staying connected if you choose to.
Here’s what adoption really looks like today:
- You choose the family. You’re not handing your baby over to strangers. You review profiles of families who have been carefully screened, and you select the one that feels right to you. You can meet them, talk with them, and build a relationship before your baby is born.
- You can stay in contact. Most adoptions today are open or semi-open, meaning you can receive photos, letters, and updates—or even have in-person visits. You and the adoptive family create an agreement that works for everyone.
- Adoption is free for you. You will never pay to place your baby for adoption. In fact, you may be eligible for financial assistance with living expenses, medical bills, and other pregnancy-related costs.
- You have time to decide. You can explore adoption at any point in your pregnancy—even after your baby is born. In Colorado, you cannot sign adoption consent papers until at least 48 hours after birth, and you have the right to change your mind during that time.
Adoption isn’t about giving up—it’s about giving your child a life you feel good about, while creating a future for yourself that feels manageable and hopeful.
How Adoption Supports Pregnant Women in Colorado
When you work with a licensed adoption agency, you’re not just making a plan for your baby—you’re also getting support for yourself. Here’s what that can look like:
- Financial assistance: Help with things like rent, utilities, groceries, maternity clothes, transportation, and medical expenses (where allowed by Colorado law)
- Free counseling: 24/7 access to emotional support from licensed counselors who understand what you’re going through
- You choose the family: Review adoptive family profiles and select the people who will raise your child
- Open adoption options: Stay connected with your child through photos, letters, visits, or whatever feels right to you
- Post-placement support: Ongoing counseling and resources after your baby is placed, for as long as you need it
Adoption gives you the chance to make a plan that honors both your needs and your baby’s future.
Ready to learn more? Explore what adoption could look like for you.
Resources for Adoption in Colorado
If you’re curious about adoption or want to speak with someone who can answer your questions, here are trusted places to start:
- American Adoptions – Call 1-800-ADOPTION (236-7846) for free, confidential support
- Considering Adoption – Independent information and resources for women considering adoption
- AdoptionAgencies.com – Directory of licensed adoption agencies across Colorado
These resources exist to give you information for making your best decision possible. You deserve to make this decision with clarity and confidence.
Not Sure What to Do About an Unplanned Pregnancy? Here’s How to Make the Right Decision for You
There’s no formula for making the “right” choice—because the right choice is the one that aligns with your values, your circumstances, and your vision for the future.
Here are some questions that might help you figure out what is best:
- What does my support system look like? Do I have people who will help me if I choose to parent? Or would I be doing this mostly alone?
- What are my financial realities? Can I afford to raise a child right now, or would I need significant assistance?
- How do I feel about motherhood at this stage in my life? Am I ready for this responsibility, or does it feel like the wrong time?
- What are my long-term goals? Will having a baby now help me move toward the life I want—or make it harder to get there?
- What does my gut tell me? Sometimes our instincts know before our minds catch up. What feels true when you imagine each option?
You don’t have to answer these questions alone. Talking through your thoughts with someone who isn’t emotionally invested can bring a lot of clarity.
Talk to Someone You Can Trust—Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling in Colorado
An unplanned pregnancy counselor is someone trained to help you think through your options without telling you what to do. They’re not there to push you toward any particular choice—they’re there to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and help you explore what feels right.
Where to find free, confidential unplanned pregnancy counseling:
- American Adoptions: Call 1-800-236-7846 (available 24/7). These professionals specialize in helping women explore all pregnancy options, including adoption.
- All-Options Talkline: Call 1-888-493-0092. A national hotline offering judgment-free support for anyone navigating pregnancy decisions.
- Postpartum Support International (Colorado): If you’re struggling emotionally, call 1-800-944-4773 for mental health support.
These resources are here to support you, no matter what you’re feeling or what you decide.
Resources for Unplanned Pregnancies in Colorado
If you need help right now—whether it’s confirming your pregnancy, accessing medical care, or getting financial support—here are Colorado-specific resources that can help:
Free or Low-Cost Pregnancy Testing & Ultrasounds:
- Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and more)
- Inner City Health Center (Denver)
Maternal Health & Prenatal Care:
- Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) – Free or low-cost health coverage for pregnant women
- Nurse-Family Partnership Colorado – Free home visits from nurses for first-time moms
Financial Assistance:
- Colorado WIC – Nutrition support for pregnant women and young children
- Colorado PEAK – Apply for SNAP, TANF, and child care assistance
Mental Health Support:
- Colorado Crisis Services – Call 1-844-493-8255 for free, confidential mental health support
- Postpartum Support International – Call 1-800-944-4773 for perinatal mental health resources
You don’t have to navigate this alone. These organizations exist to help you get the support you need, when you need it.
You Deserve Support—Here’s Where to Start
Facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel isolating, but you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. Whether you’re leaning toward parenting, considering abortion, or curious about adoption, there are people ready to walk with you—no judgment, no pressure.
If you’re ready to talk through your options, reach out to a free, confidential counselor:
Call 1-800-ADOPTION (236-7846) to speak with someone who can answer your questions about adoption, connect you with local resources, or simply listen.
Not ready to talk? Learn more about your unplanned pregnancy options here.