Adoption = Courage and Love

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding unplanned pregnancy. The one that seems to bother me the most is that many believe that people find themselves in this predicament because they were being irresponsible and not using birth control. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Half of all unintended pregnancies actually occur while women are using birth control. Given this, when faced with the reality of birth control failure, many women find themselves conflicted over what to do.

Some of these women will choose adoption - though less than 5% of women typically exercise this option. The most common reason that a woman may choose adoption is because she wants a better life for the child (one that she believes she can't provide). Even if she knows that she is making the right choice, deciding whether or not to place a child for adoption is not an easy decision. This seems to be one of those decisions where a woman may feel shame or may be afraid to talk about out of fear of the reactions of others. Unfortunately, we live in a very judgmental world. Though many regard adoption as an act of great courage, this is a topic that isn't always openly discussed. Women considering this choice may benefit from hearing other's experiences with choosing adoption. I would love to hear your stories.

• Please Share: Why Did You Choose Adoption?

Other Resources:

• All About Adoption
• Checklist: Choosing Adoption
• Book: The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy

_{Photo Courtesy of Simon Battensby/Getty Images}