Feeling Scared After Getting Pregnant? You're Not Alone

You just found out you’re pregnant—and instead of excitement, you feel fear. That doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you human. If you’re thinking, "I’m pregnant and scared," please know this: you are not alone.

Whether your pregnancy was unplanned or suddenly feels overwhelming, it’s okay to feel uncertain, and there is help available. This guide will walk you through what to do next. You’ll learn about your options, discover helpful resources, and read how others have found peace and clarity—even in the middle of fear.

Understanding Your Options: Abortion and Adoption

When you're facing an unplanned pregnancy, it can feel like your whole world is spinning. The idea of making a decision—one that will shape your life and your child’s—can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to figure it all out at once. And you don’t have to do it alone.

There are a few paths you can explore, each with different challenges and benefits, like abortion, adoption, and parenting. The most common options include abortion, adoption, and parenting. No one option is right for everyone—but understanding them all can help you make the best decision for your life.

Let’s take a compassionate, judgment-free look at your choices.

Abortion as an Option

Abortion is a medical option that ends a pregnancy. Its availability depends on the laws in your state, and in Georgia, abortion is currently legal with certain restrictions. Be sure to check the most recent laws in your area or speak with a licensed professional who can give you accurate, compassionate guidance.

For some, abortion may feel like the right choice. For others, it can be emotionally difficult or simply not align with their values. If you're feeling torn, that’s okay. You don’t have to make a rushed decision. Give yourself permission to feel all your feelings and talk through them with someone who won’t pressure or judge you.

What If Abortion Isn’t an Option?

If you’re not able to pursue abortion due to state laws (Georgia restricts abortion after six weeks),  please know adoption is a fully supported, loving path. It’s an intentional, courageous way to provide safety, stability, and love for your baby.

Adoption puts control back in your hands. You make the decisions. You set the boundaries. You shape the future for you and your baby with a clear plan and full support.

How Adoption Can Help You

One of the most empowering truths about adoption is this: you are in control.

From the moment you reach out, your voice is central. Nothing moves forward without your comfort and consent. Here’s how it works in a way that’s designed around your needs:

• Choose the Adoptive Family: You'll be able to look through profiles of hopeful adoptive families who have been fully screened and approved. You'll get to pick the family that feels right for your baby—whether it's a couple who shares your values, lives nearby, or already has children.
• Create a Hospital and Birth Plan: Your comfort is the priority during labor and delivery. You’ll decide who is in the room, what support you want, and how things happen from start to finish.
• Decide How Much Contact You Want: You’ll choose what kind of communication or relationship you want before and after the birth—whether that’s letters, photos, phone calls, or in-person visits. There's no one right way, only the way that feels right for you.

You are not signing anything the moment you ask questions. You are not committing to anything just because you start making a plan. This is your journey. You can change your mind at any time before placement becomes legal. That kind of freedom matters—and you deserve it.

What Happens If I Choose Adoption?

Here’s a simple breakdown of what the adoption process typically looks like:

1. Contact an Adoption Specialist — Available 24/7 to talk through your options with no pressure.
2. Create Your Adoption Plan — You decide how the process goes, from hospital preferences to post-placement contact.
3. Choose a Family — Explore waiting adoptive families who have been thoroughly screened.
4. Get Financial and Emotional Support — Receive housing, food, medical, and counseling assistance as needed.
5. Post-Adoption Support — Get continued emotional care after placement, for as long as you want it.

You can learn more about the full process here.

Staying Connected: What Open Adoption Can Look Like

Adoption doesn’t have to mean a lifetime of wondering. In fact, most adoptions today include some form of ongoing contact between birth parents and adoptive families. This could look like:

• Regular updates with photos and letters
• Video calls or emails
• Occasional in-person visits

Many birth mothers say that knowing how their child is doing—and staying connected—helps them feel peace and reassurance. Some even describe their relationship with the adoptive family as an extension of their own family.

You’ll never be forced into more (or less) contact than you want. You call the shots here, too. And the families you’ll meet through American Adoptions are ready for openness and respect your wishes.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone: Free Help and Support Is Available

Adoption with American Adoptions is 100% free for birth mothers. And we don’t just mean financially—we also mean emotionally, legally, and practically. Here’s what you can receive when you work with our agency:

• 24/7 counseling from licensed professionals trained to support women in crisis
• Legal guidance to help you understand your rights and feel protected at every step
• Personal case management to make the process feel manageable, not overwhelming
• Support finding a family who shares your hopes and values
• Ongoing emotional care after the adoption, for as long as you need it

You are never just a number here. You’re a person going through something life-altering—and you deserve to feel heard, respected, and truly cared for.

Your journey matters. And the right adoption plan doesn’t just support your baby’s future—it helps you create peace in your own.

Financial Assistance for Expecting Mothers Choosing Adoption

One of the scariest parts of an unplanned pregnancy can be the financial burden. You might be wondering: How can I afford rent? Groceries? Maternity care?

• If you choose adoption, financial assistance is available. You can receive help with:
• Rent and housing costs
• Grocery expenses and maternity clothes
• Transportation needs
• Medical bills and prenatal care not covered by insurance

In Georgia, this kind of assistance is legal and tailored to your unique needs. You are not expected to carry this burden alone. Financial support exists to make things less overwhelming so you can focus on what matters most.

Birth mothers like you should never have to choose between stability and safety. The right agency will make sure you don’t.

Mental Health and Peer Support Resources

If you're in Georgia, you may qualify for unique forms of adoption support that are designed specifically around the laws and resources in your state. This includes legal financial assistance, prenatal care programs, maternity housing, and state-approved counseling. To find services near you, contact an adoption specialist or explore Georgia-based clinics and counseling centers that specialize in unplanned pregnancy care.

Finding others who understand what you’re going through can help you feel seen, heard, and grounded. These are a few trusted places where you can connect with others:

• BraveLove – Hear stories and find support from other birth mothers: bravelove.org
• Birth Mom Buds – A peer community for women considering or who have chosen adoption: birthmombuds.com
• Reddit: r/adoption – Honest, anonymous conversations about adoption and parenting
• Facebook Groups – Try "Birth Moms Today" or "Adoption Support for Women"
• Local Georgia Counseling Centers – Many maternity homes and clinics offer in-person support groups and therapy

These spaces can give you connection and comfort—whether you want to share your story or just listen.

Talk Through Your Emotions – We’re Here 24/7

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong. It’s a sign you care deeply. Emotions like fear, guilt, sadness, and confusion are common—and completely valid.

You don’t have to sort through them alone. Our licensed counselors are available anytime, day or night. Whether you need to cry, ask questions, or just say your thoughts out loud, someone will be there for you.

You don’t need to be “ready” or have made any decisions. You just need to know you’re not alone. Reaching out is not weakness—it’s an act of courage.

You Don’t Have to Stay Scared

Even if today feels impossible, tomorrow can bring something new.

Choosing adoption doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’ve made a powerful, loving choice for your child and for yourself. It means choosing peace, support, and a future that holds hope.

You deserve to have options. You deserve to feel safe. You deserve to be seen and supported—not judged or rushed.

Whether you want to talk, explore waiting families, or simply gather more information, we’re here. No pressure. No commitment. Just real people who care deeply about helping you make the best decision for your life.

You’re not alone. You’re brave. And you have options.

Come meet with us in person. We have experienced staff who can get you the help you need:

• Atlanta Peachtree Office: 191 Peachtree St NE Ste 14023, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Atlanta Parkwood Office: 1000 Parkwood Cir SE Suite #900, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Decatur Office: One W Ct Square STE 750, Decatur, GA 30030
• Fayetteville Office: 320 W Lanier Ave Suite 200, Fayetteville, GA 30214

Ready to Take the Next Step?

• Call 1-800-ADOPTION — 100% confidential, no pressure.
• View Waiting Families — See hopeful parents ready to love your baby.

Request Your Free Info Guide — Understand adoption at your pace.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.