What if I’m Pregnant and Don’t Want to Be a Mom in Delaware?
If you’re pregnant but don’t want to be a mom, you’re facing a difficult personal decision. The emotions you’re experiencing right now — fear, confusion, relief, guilt — are completely valid. You deserve accurate information about your options in Delaware and the space to make the choice that’s right for you.
This article will walk you through what’s available to you here in Delaware, including adoption and abortion. We’ll explain how each option works, what Delaware’s current laws mean for you and where you can get confidential support. If you’d like to speak with someone who can answer your specific questions, fill out our form to connect with an adoption professional.
I’m Pregnant and Don’t Want It
What happens if you don’t want to keep your baby? First, give yourself permission to acknowledge your feelings without shame. Not every pregnancy is planned, and not every woman feels ready for motherhood.
Your options if you’re pregnant and don’t want to be a mom include abortion and adoption. Each path offers different outcomes, timelines and levels of involvement. Understanding what each option means for you is the first step toward making a decision you can feel confident about.
Understanding Your Options in Delaware: Abortion vs. Adoption
When you’re pregnant and don’t want it, you’re likely deciding between abortion vs. adoption. Below, we break down the difference between adoption and abortion in Delaware.
Abortion
Abortion ends the pregnancy. In Delaware, abortion is banned at fetal viability — the point when a fetus could potentially survive outside the womb — which is generally considered 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy. Before that point, the procedure is legal.
In Delaware, state Medicaid funds and private insurance plans are required to cover abortion. If you’re under 16, parental notice is required 24 hours before the procedure.
Adoption
With adoption, you place your baby with parents who will raise them. You get to choose the adoptive family, and you can stay connected after placement if that feels right to you. You can also get financial assistance for court costs and legal fees.
You can choose adoption at any point, whether you’re still pregnant, at the hospital or even after taking your baby home. You can place a child for adoption when you’re ready, not according to a deadline.
Can’t Get an Abortion But Don’t Want to Be a Mother? You Can Choose Adoption
If you’re past the 24 to 26 week mark when abortion is banned in Delaware, or if traveling to another state isn’t possible for you, you still have options. You aren’t stuck if you can’t get an abortion but don’t want to be a mother.
With adoption, there is no deadline pressing down on you. You can make this decision at any time. Some women need time to process their feelings, and that’s okay. Adoption allows for that.
How Adoption Works: Choosing a Family Without Saying Goodbye
You can give up your baby for adoption in Delaware while still maintaining a relationship with them. This is called open adoption, and it’s the most common type of adoption today.
In an open adoption, you get to choose the adoptive family. You can review profiles of waiting families, learning about their values, home lives and parenting approaches.
After placement, you can stay connected through photos, letters, video calls, in-person visits and more, depending on what you and the adoptive family agree on. Many birth parents find comfort in knowing their child is loved and cared for. You’ll never have to wonder “what if.”
Is Adoption Better Than Abortion?
Deciding what to do about an unplanned pregnancy is deeply personal. Only you can determine what the best step forward is for your life, your body and your future. Some women feel relief after choosing abortion; others find peace through adoption. Neither choice is objectively “better.”
Need Someone to Talk to Right Now? Here’s Where to Start
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Several resources offer immediate, confidential help:
- Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling: 1-800-236-7846
- Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833- 852-6262
- All-Options Talkline: 1-888-493-0092
- National Abortion Federation Hotline: 1-800-230-7526
Worried About Privacy? Your Pregnancy Can Stay Private
Your privacy matters. Medical clinics, counseling services and adoption agencies are legally required to keep your information confidential. They cannot share your information without your permission.
If you’re worried about family members or friends finding out, adoption professionals can work with you discreetly. Some women complete the adoption process without telling anyone in their personal life. You set the boundaries for your journey.
Get the Support You Need
If motherhood doesn’t feel right for you, someone else can raise your baby in a loving home while you move forward with your life. Adoption isn’t about giving up — it’s about making a thoughtful choice for both you and your child’s future.
Whether you’re still deciding or ready to move forward, you can get free information by filling out our form. There’s no pressure, just honest answers to help you figure out what comes next.