ALTERNATIVES: Crisis Pregnancy Centre in East London. Helps women with regard to pregnancy or pregnancy loss, including abortion

Reg.Charity No. 1103724

Alternatives Crisis Pregnancy Centre, 66 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8QQ

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Alternatives is a charity based in East London, England. We meet the need for a confidential environment where anyone with a crisis pregnancy can be helped to reach a decision and where their right to choose is respected at all times.

Adoption

Many women say that they could never go through pregnancy and labour and then 'give up' their baby for adoption. This is often an instinctive feeling, because it means experiencing a loss. A mother never forgets her baby.

But the process of adoption is not like it used to be .....

Children are not whisked away secretly anymore.
Mothers are much more involved.
You can say what sort of family you want.
You can know as little or as much about the adoptive family as you wish.
The adoptive parents can keep a 'lifebook' which tells the child all about you so that s/he grows up with a sense of where s/he comes from.
You can keep in touch via the adoption agency or Social Services.
You will have time to change your mind if necessary because formal consent to adoption cannot take place until at least 6 weeks after the baby is born.

Placing your baby for adoption is not an easy choice. Something within us as mothers makes us feel afraid for the welfare of our child. That's because our instinct is to protect our children.

Adoption involves trust - entrusting your child to the care of two people who long to love a child they can call their own. It means trusting the people involved in the adoption to make wise choices on your behalf whilst at the same time having respect for your personal wishes and your worries.

Sometimes it is not easy to trust but if you have the courage, with the support of a counsellor from a centre, adoption is a way of giving your child what you are unable to give at this time in your life. It is not a selfish choice. It is a responsible, mature choice. It's a mother's sacrifice for the child's gain. It means your child will have a future - and so will you.

Ask yourself these questions .....

What is your heart's desire for your child and his or her future?
What are the positive aspects about adoption for you as well as your baby?

It is important to make sure you know all the facts about adoption in order to make a final decision about it. Take time to explore this issue more thoroughly, either with a counsellor at your local pregnancy counselling centre or your local Social Services Department.

... what about continuing with the pregnancy? | ... what about abortion?

Ring 020 7476 8215 for free test, confidential talk, help, support.