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Unplanned Pregnancy Help by State

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I Am Pregnant and Don’t Know What to Do: Unplanned Pregnancy Options in Indiana

“I’m Pregnant and Don’t Know What to Do”—Start Here

Finding out you’re pregnant when you didn’t plan for it can feel overwhelming. If you’re thinking i am pregnant and don’t know what to do, you’re not alone. Thousands of women in Indiana face this same situation every year.

Whatever you’re feeling right now is valid. This moment doesn’t define you, and you have time to figure out the best path forward. You have options for unplanned pregnancy, and understanding what they are can help you move from panic to clarity.

First Step: Confirm Your Pregnancy Medically

If you’ve taken an at-home pregnancy test, your next step is to confirm your pregnancy with a medical professional. At-home tests can be accurate, but they don’t tell you how far along you are or whether the pregnancy is developing normally.

Many pregnancy resource centers in Indiana offer free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds. You don’t need insurance, and these services are confidential.

Organizations like Pregnancy Choices Indy and Women’s Care Center provide these services at no cost throughout Indiana.

Understanding Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options in Indiana

When you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you have three main paths forward: parenting, abortion, or adoption.

Parenting means raising your child yourself. This option requires financial stability, emotional readiness, and a support system, but many resources exist to help you succeed.

Abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. Indiana has specific laws about abortion access that you’ll need to understand if you’re considering this option.

Adoption allows you to make an adoption plan where another family raises your child. You can choose the adoptive parents, receive financial support during pregnancy, and maintain contact through open adoption if you wish.

What to Know About Parenting After an Unplanned Pregnancy

Choosing to parent your child is a significant decision. If you’re leaning toward parenting, consider the practical realities: Can you provide a stable home? Do you have financial resources or access to assistance? Is there a support system of family or friends?

If you decide parenting is right for you, Indiana offers several support programs:

Medicaid (Hoosier Healthwise): Indiana’s program provides health coverage for pregnant women with household income up to 208% of the federal poverty level. Coverage extends for a full year after giving birth. Apply online or call 1-800-403-0864.

WIC: This nutrition program provides healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education at no cost. Find your local Indiana WIC clinic or call 800-522-0874.

TANF: Indiana’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program provides cash assistance to pregnant women who meet income requirements. Apply at 1-800-403-0864.

Community Health Centers: Centers like HealthNet and Jane Pauley Community Health Center offer prenatal care on a sliding-fee scale based on income.

Is Abortion Legal in Indiana? Here’s What You Need to Know

Indiana currently has a near-total abortion ban that took effect in August 2023. The law prohibits abortion with very limited exceptions: fatal fetal abnormalities, when necessary to preserve the life or physical health of the pregnant woman, and pregnancies resulting from rape or incest up to 10 weeks post-fertilization.

Most abortions are not available within Indiana’s borders. Many hospitals don’t offer abortion services even within the limited exceptions. If you’re considering abortion and don’t meet Indiana’s strict exceptions, you may need to travel to another state like Illinois, which permits abortion before 24-26 weeks.

Time is a critical factor. Organizations like Planned Parenthood can provide information about accessing services both in Indiana and in other states.

Considering Adoption? What It Really Means

Adoption is often misunderstood. It doesn’t mean you don’t love your baby. Instead, it’s a loving decision to provide your child with a life you may not be ready to offer right now, while ensuring you receive the support you need during pregnancy.

Modern adoption looks very different from past generations. You maintain control over the process and can stay connected to your child’s life if you choose.

What makes adoption different today:

Many women who choose adoption find it provides a solution that works for both their baby’s needs and their own life circumstances.

How Adoption Supports Pregnant Women in Indiana

When you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, financial stress often adds to the overwhelm. If you’re exploring adoption, here’s what support is available:

Financial Assistance: Adoption agencies can help with medical expenses, maternity clothing, housing, and utilities. Indiana law allows for reasonable living and medical expenses to be covered from the second or third trimester through six weeks postpartum, with amounts up to $4,000 requiring no court approval.

Free Counseling: Access to 24/7 emotional support is available throughout your pregnancy and after birth, at no cost.

You Choose the Family: If you decide adoption is right for you, you review profiles of potential adoptive families and select the people who will raise your child. You can meet them and ensure they align with your values.

Open Adoption: Most adoptions today include some level of openness, from exchanging photos to in-person visits. You decide what level of contact, if any, feels right.

Ready to learn more about adoption as an option? Contact us through our free information form to speak with someone who can answer your questions with no pressure.

Resources for Adoption in Indiana

If you’re considering adoption, these organizations can provide more information:

Not Sure What to Do? Here’s How to Make the Right Decision

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to unplanned pregnancy options. The right choice depends on your unique circumstances, values, and goals.

Consider: What are your personal values about pregnancy and parenting? What does your support system look like? What are your financial circumstances? Where are you in your education or career?

Remember, this is your decision to make. While it’s helpful to gather input from people you trust, ultimately you’re the person who will live with this choice.

Talk to Someone You Can Trust: Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling in Indiana

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Unplanned pregnancy counselors provide free, confidential support to help you explore all your options without pressure or judgment.

What is an unplanned pregnancy counselor?

These are trained professionals who help you think through your situation. They won’t push you toward any particular decision. Their role is to listen, provide accurate information, and help you understand what each option means for your specific circumstances.

Available counseling resources in Indiana:

American Adoptions: Call 1-800-236-7846 anytime, 24/7. Their initial options counseling covers all three options: parenting, abortion, and adoption.

Pregnancy Choices Indy: Multiple locations in Indianapolis offering free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and peer counseling.

Women’s Care Center: Free counseling at locations across Indiana, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Elkhart, and South Bend.

Professional counseling can help when you’re processing difficult emotions. Get connected with free support today.

Resources for Unplanned Pregnancies in Indiana

Pregnancy Testing and Medical Confirmation:

Community Health Centers:

Financial Assistance:

You Deserve Support—Here’s Where to Start

If you got pregnant by accident and don’t know what to do next, take that first step. Whether it’s confirming your pregnancy, talking to a counselor, or gathering information, each action brings clarity.

You don’t have to decide today. Take the time you need to understand your options for unplanned pregnancy in Indiana.

Ready to explore your options?

Visit UnplannedPregnancy.com for comprehensive information about all your options and contact us today for immediate support.

Whatever you decide, you deserve support, compassion, and respect. Your feelings matter, your circumstances matter, and you have the strength to navigate this moment. You’re not alone. Help is available, and you can get through this.