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Choice is Abortion

An unplanned pregnancy can cause many conflicting feelings.

You may feel excited about being pregnant; you may also be afraid of having to postpone education or job plans in order to raise a child. Many young women also worry about how they would financially support a child, and wonder whether they are ready to become a parent.

The most important thing to remember is that the decision to continue or to terminate your pregnancy must be made by you. No one else can decide what’s best for you, but a trusted friend, family member, doctor, nurse or counsellor can discuss all the options open to you, and help you sort it out.

The Facts …

• Abortion is legal in Canada
• The earlier an abortion is performed, the safer and less complicated the procedure is.
• It’s important to find out as soon as possible whether you’re pregnant. You can get a free pregnancy test at the Women’s Health Clinic, other community health centres, from you own doctor, or you can buy a home pregnancy kit.
• Abortions done in hospitals are covered under Medicare. That means you don’t have to pay a fee. If you’re under 18, you may need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to have a hospital abortion
• Abortions are also provided at the Jane's Clinic (formerly known as Morgentaler Clinic) in Winnipeg. If you are covered by Medicare, there is no fee for the procedure. .

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Choice is Adoption

Placing a child for adoption is never easy. Most women who place their child for adoption feel that they have made the best decision for the child’s future. However, many women need support to help them deal with the loss they feel.

If you are going to continue the pregnancy, you may have to change some aspects of your lifestyle. It’s important to take care of your health and have regular pre-natal care throughout your pregnancy to prepare for childbirth.

The Facts …

• There are two kinds of adoption:
   
  1. Public (or Agency) Adoption:
     Public adoptions are done through Child and Family Services. You can have some input into the selection of adoptive parents. You can also choose whether or not you want to meet the adoptive parents beforehand.
      
  2. Private Adoption:
     If you are over 18, adoptions can also be done legally through a private lawyer. You must approve the couple who will adopt the child. In some cases, the adoptive parents may allow you to visit the child.
      
• In both kinds of adoption, the biological father (if known) must be informed of the planned adoption before it occurs.
   
• A birth mother may re-establish contact with her child after the child has reached 18, if the birth mother and the adoptive child both place their names on a registry with Child and Family Services.

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Choice is Parenthood

Becoming a parent is best done when you are emotionally and financially ready. So, it’s important that your decision is made for positive and healthy reasons.

Deciding to become a parent means deciding what’s best for you and the child. Having a baby and becoming a parent can be rewarding experiences. It can also increase financial stress and put added pressure on relationships. Having a network of family and friends to rely on for support can help.

There are some myths about pregnancy and parenting.  For example, many young women think that having a baby of their own will somehow give them the love they didn’t get from their own parent(s).  Some believe that having a baby will help them stay together with their boyfriend, or make other problems go away. These are all unrealistic expectations.

The Facts …

• If you keep your child, you are obliged to provide care until the child is 16 years old.
• There are resources in the community that can help you with housing, education and training and some of the challenges of parenting.
• You may be entitled to welfare assistance, if you have no other means of support.
• You are entitled to some financial support from the child’s father, even if he has no contact with the child.
• The child’s father may request access to the child, whether or not he’s giving you financial support.
• Studies show that most teen mothers end up raising their children on their own.

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Choice is Yours

Timing is important. If you think you might be pregnant, find out as soon as possible. If you’re faced with an unplanned pregnancy, you will be making some difficult decisions. That’s why it’s important to have all the facts.

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You decide

Basically, you have three choices if you’re pregnant:

1. Terminate the pregnancy by having an abortion
   
2. Continue the pregnancy and place the child for adoption
   
3. Continue the pregnancy and become a parent

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We help

You can talk to us at the Women’s Health Clinic. Our counsellors provide free, confidential pregnancy counselling that can help you reach the decision that’s best for you.