I’m Pregnant and Can’t Afford It in Oregon [Get Financial Help]
Seeing a positive pregnancy test when you’re already struggling financially can feel impossible. You might be wondering how you’ll cover prenatal care, childcare costs or basic necessities like diapers and formula.
The good news? Help is available if you’re pregnant and can’t afford it. This guide breaks down Oregon’s pregnancy support resources, what your options look like and how you can move forward with confidence.
You deserve clear, judgment-free information — and real support. Fill out our form to connect with an adoption professional who can answer your specific questions.
What Should I Do if I’m Pregnant and Can’t Afford the Baby in Oregon?
If you’re pregnant and broke, the first thing you need to know is that you have time. You don’t need to decide everything today.
When you’re ready, here’s where you can start:
- Visit a healthcare provider or local clinic to confirm your pregnancy.
- Talk with a counselor who can help you process what you’re feeling.
- Call 1-800-236-7846 to speak with someone about your pregnancy options.
Right now, focus on taking care of yourself and gathering information. The rest can come later.
What Are Your Options When You’re Pregnant and Can’t Afford It?
If you can’t afford a baby, here are your options: parenting, abortion or adoption. Each comes with different costs and considerations.
Parenting: According to LendingTree, raising a child in Oregon costs about $26,107 per year. This number might feel unattainable right now, but Oregon has many programs designed to help low-income families.
Abortion: The cost of ending a pregnancy varies based on how far along you are and which type of procedure you choose. Medication abortion typically costs around $580, while surgical abortion ranges from $800 to $2,000.
Adoption: Adoption costs you nothing. You can place your baby for adoption even if you have no money, and you may be eligible for financial help with living expenses, medical bills and legal fees during your pregnancy.
Resources for Low-Income Parents Who Want to Raise Their Babies
Do you want to parent but don’t think you can manage it financially? Oregon has various programs and organizations that offer help for pregnant women with no money.
Pregnancy and Birth Support Programs
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is Oregon’s Medicaid program. If you’re pregnant, OHP covers your prenatal care, labor, delivery and up to 12 months of postpartum care.
- Oregon MothersCare (OMC) provides free appointments to help you access prenatal care at county health departments and local clinics.
Parenting Programs and Baby Supplies
- Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) is a free, voluntary home visiting program for families who are expecting or have newborns. Family support specialists provide parenting education, help with child development and connections to community resources from pregnancy through your child’s third birthday.
- PDX Diaper Bank provides free diapers to families facing financial hardship. Distribution sites exist throughout the Portland metro area.
- Lane County Diaper Bank offers free diapers and other baby essentials to families in Lane County.
- Crisis pregnancy centers like Pregnancy Resource Center and Ava Health often provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, diapers, formula and baby clothing. These faith-based centers aren’t licensed medical facilities and don’t offer abortion services or referrals, but they can help if you plan to parent or choose adoption.
Breastfeeding Support and Postpartum Help
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides free healthy food, nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support for pregnant women and young children.
- Family Connects Oregon (FCO) offers a free postpartum home visit to all new parents in participating counties. A nurse or family support specialist checks on your recovery, screens for postpartum depression and connects you with local resources.
- Many Oregon hospitals offer free breastfeeding classes and support groups. Contact your local hospital to learn what they provide.
Childcare and Early Education Resources
- Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) helps low-income working parents pay for childcare. If you’re working or attending school, ERDC can significantly reduce your childcare costs.
- Preschool Promise (PSP) provides free or low-cost preschool for children from families with limited income.
Financial Assistance for Pregnant Women in Oregon
Oregon has several programs that provide help for pregnant women with no money. Here’s what you need to know:
- OHP can help if you’re pregnant with no insurance. If you’re pregnant, Medicaid covers all your pregnancy-related medical care at no cost to you, including prenatal visits, delivery and a full year of postpartum care.
- OMC provides free prenatal needs assessment appointments that can help connect you to OHP enrollment assistance and other pregnancy resources
- WIC provides monthly benefits for nutritious foods, infant formula, nutrition education and breastfeeding support.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) offers cash assistance to help with rent, utilities and other basic needs.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives you monthly benefits to buy groceries.
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), also called Section 8, helps low-income families afford safe housing by subsidizing rent.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating bills during winter months.
- Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) provides additional energy bill assistance for low-income households.
- Weatherization Assistance Program can improve your home’s energy efficiency, lowering utility costs year-round.
- Maternity homes throughout Oregon provide temporary housing, meals and support for pregnant women who need a safe place to stay.
- Planned Parenthood offers pregnancy testing, counseling about your options and reproductive healthcare. Services are available with fees based on what you can afford.
- Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center provides prenatal care and primary healthcare. They accept OHP and offer care regardless of insurance status.
- PeaceHealth provides prenatal care and family medicine services.
- Santiam Hospital & Clinics provides prenatal care and primary healthcare services.
How Much Does It Cost to Place a Baby for Adoption?
Adoption is free for birth mothers. You can place a baby for adoption even if you’re poor, and you can even receive financial support throughout your pregnancy.
In Oregon, adoptive families can help cover your pregnancy-related expenses, including:
- Legal fees for your representation
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Living expenses like rent, utilities, food and maternity clothing
- Travel costs for medical appointments or counseling sessions
All financial assistance must be documented and transparent. Everything goes through your adoption professional to make sure it’s handled legally.
Will I Regret Choosing Adoption Because I Can’t Afford to Parent?
When you’re pregnant and can’t afford the baby, it’s completely natural to worry about future regret.
Many women make adoption plans because they want their child to have stability and opportunities they can’t provide right now. That’s not failure — that’s making a thoughtful choice about your child’s future. Your circumstances don’t define your worth, and choosing adoption for financial reasons doesn’t make your decision any less valid or loving.
You might experience grief after placement. It’s possible to feel sad about the circumstances while still knowing you made the right decision. Working with a counselor can help you process these complicated emotions.
Help Is Available in Oregon for Women Who Are Pregnant and Can’t Afford It
Financial stress doesn’t have to determine your future. Whether you choose to parent with support, move forward with abortion or explore adoption, there is help available if you’re pregnant and alone.
If you have questions about adoption or want to learn more about adoption financial assistance during pregnancy, fill out our form today. There’s no pressure and no judgment — just honest answers and support for wherever you are in this journey.