Myth: My baby will give me unconditional love. This will add meaning and purpose to my life.

Facts: Children often do love their parents unconditionally and parenting can be very satisfying but a baby will not be able to show it's love and support to you for some time. Babies are completely helpless and require their parents to do everything for them in order to survive. Parenting is a 24 hours a day , 7 days a week job for the next 18 years of your life or longer and can be overwhelming for even two parents who are together and committed to raising their child. It is a commitment that you will need to be prepared for.

Myth: Parenting will be fun.

Facts: Babies are very cute but parenting is not always fun when you do not get enough sleep, your baby is sick or cries day and night and you have no one to help you. You must consider the time and energy that you will need to give in order to meet the needs of your child. Your freedom and privacy will be reduced to almost nothing after you give birth to your child and for many years thereafter. Your child will be on your mind 24 hours a day. They need to be taken care of every minute of every day. They will awake in the middle of the night to be fed, changed or just because they are awake. If they get sick, there will be doctor bills, time missed from work, and a loss of wages. This can be very challenging to any new mother but especially to a single mother who might be struggling financially. It will take a lot of patience and maturity to raise your child. This baby is someone whose future and welfare you are responsible for.

Myth: My family, friends, or boyfriend will always be there to help me out and pay for things.

Facts: I have heard this comment so many times from birth moms who are pregnant and considering parenting. Right after the baby is born, there are usually people there to help including friends and family. But after about a month or so, birth moms often feel abandoned by boyfriends, family and friends. The reality is that you are the only person who can guarantee your child's health and well being. You cannot rely on family or friends who say they will help you because they may not always be there when you need them. They may mean well by offering their help but they cannot be there every time you have to work, want to take a nap, or want to go out with your friends. Many women who have chosen parenting over adoption say that their family and boyfriend are no longer around and don't help as much as they promised.

Myth: If I choose to parent my child, I will not have to deal with the feeling of sadness and loss that I would if I choose adoption.

Facts: The reality is that parenting will cause some of these emotions in a new mother. A woman may feel that she has lost the opportunity to finish school, move to another state, or even go out with her friends. It could even cause the loss of other relationships because you are too busy or no fun anymore. Your friends or boyfriend may not want to be around you much as time goes by because you have too much responsibility and are no fun because you are so tired from being up all night and taking care of your baby. You may also feel sadness and disappointment because you cannot give your child everything you hoped for them to have.

If we can get married and have a family together, my boyfriend and I will be together.

Facts: Many unplanned pregnancies lead to stress and emotions that make it hard for a couple to stay together. Many women are left to face the unplanned pregnancy alone and it can be very scary.

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For more information about how the adoption process works, and how you and your baby's needs can be met, contact Michele Jordan by clicking here.