FAQs about unsupported pregnancies

Telling your family about an unplanned pregnancy can cause a lot of anxiety. As you prepare to tell them, keep these in mind:

• Give them time to cope

• If you have a plan, discuss it

• Seek help if necessary

Parenting is a lifelong commitment. Here are some things to think about:

• Finances

• Support system - family and friends that you can trust and rely on

• Personal emotions

The status and nature of your relationship with the father will affect your decision. Whether you are a single or married parent, changes to your lifestyle will be required.

There are also relational, legal, family, financial and emotional implications. Take time to weigh your options and think about the impact of the decision on yourself, your child and the father of the child.

Adoption is the legal act of entrusting your child to another person/ couple who will bring him/ her up as their own. All legal ties between your child and you will be broken off. The adoptive parent(s) will have all the rights and responsibilities in nurturing and providing for the child.

It is normal to worry about whether your child will hate you. How your child will respond will depend largely on how the adoptive family raises him/ her.

The child must be below 21 years old and a resident of Singapore. If biological parents of the child are below 21 years old, consent of paternal and maternal grandparents of the child is required.

To place your child for adoption, you can contact adoption agencies in Singapore, such as:

• Apkim Centre for Social Services

• Fei Yue Community Services

• Lutheran Community Care Services

• Stepping Stones

• Touch Community Services

Abortion is a medical procedure to intentionally end your pregnancy, resulting in the death of your child.

The risks of abortion include:

• Injury to the womb and uterus

• Complications from anaesthesia

• Difficulties with conceiving or carrying a baby to full-term in future

• Psychological and emotional reactions such as anger, depression, guilt, low self-esteem, suicidal tendencies

• Difficulties in future relationships

To be eligible, the woman must be a Singapore citizen or have resided locally for ≥ 4 months. She must be < 24 weeks pregnant. Parental consent is not required at any age.

You will be required to undergo pre-abortion counselling. If you are under 16, you will have to undergo mandatory counselling at Health Promotion Board. Regardless of age, there is a compulsory waiting period of 48 hours after the counselling before the abortion can be done.