What Are My Options?
Once you are certain you are pregnant you have three options: parenthood, adoption, or abortion. Many of the clinics and hospitals listed in this booklet can provide options counseling, which is an opportunity to discuss all of your options in a non-judgmental, confidential, and supportive environment. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a health care provider, or a provider does not offer the services you are seeking, you can leave and find another provider. If you want to discuss your options, or have questions about your options, you may find the following resources helpful:
- Backline, a free and confidential talk line about pregnancy, parenting, adoption, and abortion at (888) 493-0092 or visit www.yourbackline.org.
- National Abortion Federation hotline at (800) 772-9100 for information about abortion or visit www.prochoice.org.
- You can log onto www.pregnancyoptions.info/ for help with making your decision.
- To find a Planned Parenthood health center or to make an appointment call 1-800-230-PLAN or visit www.plannedparenthood.org
Parenthood – Choosing parenthood means taking on many new responsibilities. There are resources available to help women and men with the challenges of having a child. The following are some of these resources. Please contact these programs to get more information and to determine if you are eligible for their services.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) – TANF, also known as Family Investment Program (FIP), is the main source of government funding for young parents in Maryland. This program helps with expenses for new parents. Requirements for eligibility are that recipients be employed, in school, or seeking employment. To find out more about FIP, or if you are eligible for assistance, contact:
Maryland Department of Human Resources
311 West Saratoga St
Baltimore, MD 21201
(800) 332-6347
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – The WIC program provides healthy food and nutrition counseling to eligible mothers, pregnant women, infants, and children under age five. WIC staff can help you learn how to improve your family's health through good nutrition, financial assistance for groceries, and can help you obtain other health and social services. To determine if you qualify for the WIC program, contact the state hotline at (800) 242-4WIC or visit www.fha.state.md.us/wic.
Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program (MCHIP) – MCHIP provides health insurance for pregnant women and children that covers hospital care, prescriptions, doctor visits, dental, vision, immunization shots, mental health services, prenatal care and hospital delivery bills, among other services. For additional information, call (800) 456-8900.
Adoption – If you choose or are considering adoption, there are a number of resources in Maryland to help you navigate the adoption process. Since there are numerous legal and personal concerns involved in this decision, it is important that you seek professional assistance. The following agencies and organizations can provide you with more information on adoption.
Maryland Department of Human Resources
311 West Saratoga St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
1 (800) 39-ADOPT
National Council for Adoption
703-299-6633
www.adoptioncouncil.org
www.adoptioncouncil.org
Center for Adoption Support and Education
4000 Blackburn Lane, Suite 260
Burtonsville, MD 20866
301-476-8525
Abortion – Maryland state law requires that only licensed and qualified health care providers offer abortion.
For a list of abortion providers in Maryland, click here. Clinics in bold type are members of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland. Clinics that are marked with an asterisk are members of the National Abortion Federation (NAF). This means that these clinics adhere to clinical guidelines to ensure a high standard of care.
