First of all, if you’re here because you think you could be pregnant because of a #condomfail like the condom breaking, leaking, slipping off or if you just forgot to use one, it’s best to get a sexual health check-up. If it has been less than 5 days since you had the unprotected sex, it’s also a good idea to get emergency contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. Emergency contraception can be bought without a prescription at a chemist, Family Planning Australia clinic or sexual health clinic and needs to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex to be effective.
If you’ve found out that you are pregnant, there are several options available to you. Pregnancy can happen in a range of different situations and relationships, and this might be a scary or exciting time.
It is important that you take the time you need to make the best decision for you. When you are making the decision, it is good to consider your personal situation, what support you have available and how many weeks pregnant you are.
The options with an unplanned pregnancy include:
• continuing the pregnancy – choosing to parent
• continuing the pregnancy – adoption or foster care
• terminating the pregnancy – abortion
Talking to someone about the options that are available with unplanned pregnancy can be really helpful. Some useful services include the Pregnancy choices helpline. You may need to get an ultrasound to confirm how many weeks pregnant you are in order to work out what your options are. You will need a referral from a doctor for this.
Choosing whether or not to raise a child is a big decision. You may choose to parent with a partner or parent alone. If the pregnancy has occurred when you’re in relationship, you may choose to involve your partner in a discussion about your options.
Some people may choose to parent alone, and others may find themselves parenting alone due to the breakdown of a relationship or differences in how to proceed with an unplanned pregnancy. It is good to seek support from your family and friends and think about the support networks that will be available for you.
Adoption means you give all of the parenting rights and responsibilities to the adoptive parents. Adoption involves signing a legal agreement for someone else to become the legal guardian of a child. Parents must wait at least 30 days after the child is born before they can sign the legal agreement.
Foster care is when your child is looked after by another family. There are different types of foster care. Foster care options include:
- Temporary Foster Care: This can be used while you sort out accommodation, financial or personal problems. During voluntary care (not ordered by the court) you remain the child’s guardian and can see your child. Temporary care is usually limited to several weeks
- Long Term Foster Care: If your child is in long-term foster care, you will lose legal guardianship and/or custody of your child. You will still be the child’s legal parent. In long term foster care, children often become emotionally attached to their foster family
There are two types of abortion available in Australia depending on how many weeks pregnant you might be – medical abortion and surgical abortion. Abortion is legal in all states and territories of Australia.
Medical abortion involves taking medications to end a pregnancy. This is available through Family Planning Australia, community-based clinics such as MSI Australia and some specialists and trained doctors.
Surgical abortion involves a short operation, usually under a light sedation, to end a pregnancy. Surgical abortions are available through Family Planning Australia , community-based clinics such as MSI Australia and can be available through some public hospitals.
More information and support on pregnancy options across Australia:
- Pregnancy choices helpline (New South Wales)
- SEARCH+ (New South Wales)
- My options phoneline (Victoria)
- Children by choice (Queensland)
- Pregnancy advisory centre (South Australia)
- Shine SA (South Australia)
- Sexual Health Quarters (Western Australia)
- Family Planning Tasmania (Tasmania)
- Family Planning NT (Northern Territory)
- SHFPACT (Australian Capital Territory)
- MSI Australia (NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, WA)
