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Unplanned Pregnancy Help by State

Clear information on all your unplanned pregnancy options in Washington D.C., plus local resources and confidential counseling.

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

When you realize you’re pregnant by accident in Washington D.C., a wave of fear and uncertainty is a common response.

If you’re pregnant and don’t know what to do you may feel completely alone. Stop and take a breath: You are not alone, and you have time to make a decision that is entirely yours.

It is crucial to connect with a trusted, non-judgmental professional who can help you sort through your immediate needs. You can make a clear, confident choice about your future, with the full support you deserve.

This guide will walk you through unplanned pregnancy options available to you in D.C.: parenting, abortion, and adoption. If you need someone to talk to right now, you can click here to talk confidentially with a trained specialist about your options in D.C.

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

The initial shock of a positive test is often paralyzing, especially when you consider finances, housing, and career goals in a high-cost city like D.C. The intensity of your feelings—whether it’s panic, fear, or overwhelm—is normal.

Your first step should be to secure reliable, unbiased support. In this critical early stage, you need clarity, not commitment. The support you seek should respect your privacy and provide a safe space to discuss your needs and legal rights without judgment or pressure. You deserve non-medical, confidential counseling that focuses only on you.

First Step: Confirm Your Pregnancy Medically

Before committing to any path, you need clear medical facts. Confirming your pregnancy with a medical professional is essential for determining the gestational age, which is necessary for understanding your timelines and options.

This step is vital, even in D.C. where abortion access is generally protected, as medical confirmation ensures accuracy and allows you to discuss your overall health and prenatal care options immediately.

Understanding Your Unplanned Pregnancy Options in D.C.

In Washington D.C., you have three primary legal and practical choices when facing an unplanned pregnancy: parenting, abortion, or adoption. Each option is a major life decision with unique emotional, legal, and financial dimensions.

What to Know About Parenting After an Unplanned Pregnancy

Choosing to parent requires assessing the high cost of living in D.C. and leveraging the strong network of city-funded social services. If you decide that parenting is the best path for you, D.C. has many programs ready to assist you:

If you are still weighing the demands of parenting in D.C., you should learn more about your unplanned pregnancy financial assistance options, including local and national programs.

Is Abortion Legal in Washington D.C.? Here’s What You Need to Know About Your Rights and Access

Washington D.C. has historically had some of the strongest legal protections for abortion access in the country. As of today, the right to an abortion is legally protected.

Considering Adoption? What It Really Means

If you are thinking, “How does adoption work for someone who isn’t ready to parent?,” adoption is the ultimate act of loving choice, known as “placing” a child. It is a compassionate solution that ensures your child receives the safety, stability, and opportunities you want for them, even if you are not in a position to provide them yourself.

Adoption is an empowered choice because you remain in control of every major decision, including choosing the adoptive family, deciding the level of contact (open adoption), and determining the hospital delivery plan. If parenting or abortion feels wrong, adoption offers a supportive, hopeful path forward.

How Adoption Supports Pregnant Women in D.C.

Adoption is always 100% free to you, the prospective birth mother, and provides comprehensive support tailored to your unique needs:

If you are ready to learn more about this loving, empowering option, you can start your adoption decision today and begin looking at waiting families.

Resources for Adoption in Washington D.C.

You can begin exploring your options with highly-rated, national professionals who serve the D.C. metropolitan area:

Not Sure What to Do About an Unplanned Pregnancy? Here’s How to Make the Right Decision for You

When faced with major choices, the best way to move forward is to focus on what you can control: gathering facts and understanding your personal priorities. The right choice is the one that aligns with your deepest personal values and your long-term vision for your life.

Ask yourself these three key questions:

  1. What is my ideal support system right now? Do you need 24/7 counseling, financial help, or private, unbiased guidance?
  2. What does my life look like in five years? Which option makes that future possible—and which option moves you further away from it?
  3. What does a “successful outcome” look like for the baby? Is it a life you can provide, or is it a life you select for them through adoption?

Talk to Someone You Can Trust—Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling in D.C.

You don’t have to answer the question, “I am pregnant– what do I do?” alone. Unplanned pregnancy counseling provides a safe, non-medical, confidential space where you can sort through your emotions, assess your options, and find clarity.

Resources for Unplanned Pregnancies in D.C.

Here are additional resources that can provide immediate support for pregnant women in Washington D.C., especially if you are uninsured or need local medical care:

You Deserve Support—Here’s Where to Start

If you still don’t know what to do about your pregnancy, that’s okay. The path forward begins with one simple, conversation.

You have the right to confidential, empathetic support that will help you move from fear to confidence.  Your choice is the only choice that matters, and a specialist is ready to help you explore every legal and practical option in D.C.—parenting, abortion, and adoption—with zero pressure. Call or text us now to speak with a specialist who can help you understand all your unplanned pregnancy options in D.C.