Information & Support
Decision Making
Making decisions about your body and your pregnancy can be deeply personal and complex. For some it is a clear one, while for other it may not be. You are the expert in your own life, and you know best what the best option for you is.
There is no right or wrong decision. The law is clear – it is a human right to make decisions about your body, your pregnancy and what will be best for you at this time in your life.
Feeling overwhelmed?
Our reflective decision-making guide is here to help you clarify how you feel about the pregnancy and how you might wish to proceed.
Who are the supportive people in my life?
When possible, it can be valuable to have a support person you can confide in. Supportive people are those that you trust and can be friends, family, a partner, colleague, or a professional.
It is important to remember that a supportive person should not try to influence, guilt, shame, or coerce your decision. A safe and supportive person will recognise that the decision is your own to make and hold space for you to explore different options.
Below are some examples of supportive (green) and unsupportive (red) statements.
Green Flags
“This is a big decision and can be overwhelming. It is okay for you to have such different thoughts and feelings.”
“This is your decision to make, tell me how to best support you during this time (or I know it’s hard, let’s work together to explore your options).”
Red Flags
“Do what you want, I hope you don’t regret it” (/pa — passive aggressive)
“If you won’t [option], then I will hurt myself.”
“Well, you should have been on contraception, this is what happens.”
What are my options?
Parenting: Continuing with the pregnancy and choosing to parent is the option chosen by around half of women and pregnant people considering their pregnancy options.
Abortion: This is a time-sensitive decision, and depending on how far along the pregnancy is, you may need to decide quickly if you want to have an abortion.
Adoption & Kinship Care: You may wish to continue the pregnancy, but not parent the child. You may be considering placing the child for adoption or exploring alternative and kinship care, which are forms of family-based care for children and young people who can’t live at home.
Abortion
When you decide not to continue the pregnancy, you can choose to have an abortion.
Information and Support
Adoption & Kinship Care
When you wish to continue the pregnancy, but not parent the child.
Information and Support
Download the Guide
The guide can be used as an activity to promote reflective decision making around your body and your pregnancy. It can also be utilized to reflect on specific choices or to gather information about available options and support.
Our clients have taught us that for every pregnant person the decision is uniquely their own, it is not selfish to focus on your health and well-being, your safety, and your current circumstances.
Reflective Decision Making Guide
16.36 MB
Please remember that you are not alone in this process and if you are unsure of who is safe to speak to you can always call the counselling team at Children by Choice on 1800 177 725.
Our all-options pregnancy counselling team offers decision making counselling, evidence-based information on pregnancy options, referrals to health and support services, and post-abortion counselling and support, to clients across Queensland, free of charge.
You can also contact us here: Contact us – Children by Choice
Please be advised that we are not a crisis service, if you need immediate support, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Emergency Services.
