(817) 799-6834

(817) 799-6834

Talk to a Counselor Now
Legacy Adoption Services Logo
Talk to a Counselor Now
Expectant Fathers

How to Handle Unplanned Pregnancy as a Guy

What to do when facing an unplanned pregnancy as a guy

When your girlfriend is pregnant, but you weren’t planning on having a baby, it can come as quite a shock. Maybe you’re not ready to be a father, or maybe you and your girlfriend aren’t in a relationship where you want to be parents together. This situation is difficult for your girlfriend, of course, but unplanned pregnancy as a guy can be tough, too.

First, take a deep breath. You don’t have to decide anything right away. You do have options, and you should definitely take time to learn about them.

Second, remember that the two of you must work together to choose the best path forward for each of you – and most importantly, for the child you’re bringing into the world together. Taking care of your girlfriend, physically and emotionally, is a high priority right now. But it’s also important to take care of yourself, as you do have some life-changing choices ahead.

What if I am not ready to be a father?

If your girlfriend is pregnant, but you’re not feeling ready to be a dad, that’s OK. It means that being a good father is important to you, and sometimes that means making hard decisions because it’s what’s best for your child.

Right now, it’s important for you and your girlfriend to come to a solution. Maybe you’re in a long-term relationship with her, or maybe you haven’t had much time together at all. You’re in this situation together, and you both have to set your worries and frustrations aside and commit to work together to decide what to do next.

The good news is that you do have options. One of them is parenting your child, either together as a couple, individually, or cooperatively as co-parents. Another is placing your baby with a loving family through adoption.

When facing an unplanned pregnancy as a guy, an important first step is to learn everything you can about both parenting and adoption, so you can come to a decision with your girlfriend about what path you want to take.

Whether you want to explore adoption in Texas or assess your own ability to parent a child, we can help. Legacy Adoption Services offers free counseling for expecting parents, with no judgment and no pressure. We can help you evaluate your situation and figure out if parenting your baby is a viable option for you, based on the realities of your finances, relationships and housing situation. We can also explain how the adoption process works, including all the critical information you need to know before you decide your next steps.

How does adoption work?

Many married couples are eager to grow their families through adoption. Right now, we have many waiting families who would be thrilled to provide a child with a bright future full of love and opportunity.

You may be surprised to learn that adoption doesn’t have to mean you’ll never see your baby again. As the baby’s father, you get to make a lot of important choices that will shape the future of your child’s life and your place in it. For example, today’s modern adoption allows you to maintain contact with your child throughout their growing-up years, if you wish.

Here are a few important things to know if you’re facing unplanned pregnancy as a guy and are considering adoption.

  • You and your girlfriend can choose your baby’s adoptive parents, together
  • You and your girlfriend can decide what contact you wish to have with the baby after the adoption, either together or separately
  • There is no cost to you to place a baby for adoption, and all counseling, medical and legal services will be completely covered

Explore adoption in Texas

Under the law, fathers have just as much right to consent to adoption as the pregnant mother does. It’s your baby, too. Whether you and your girlfriend decide to move forward with adoption or choose to parent your baby, you’ll have great peace of mind knowing that you explored every possible option to give your child a great life.

If your girlfriend is pregnant and you want to explore adoption in Texas, please reach out to us. You’ll have expert support every step of the way. You can contact us any time to speak with an options counselor, get answers to all of your questions, and learn all about the process. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy as a guy, we are here to help you.

If your girlfriend is pregnant and you do not feel ready to become a father, it is important to understand that you have options. You and your girlfriend can explore parenting together, parenting separately as co-parents, or placing your baby for adoption. Taking time to learn about each option can help you make an informed decision that is best for both your child and your future.

Yes. Fathers have important rights and responsibilities in the adoption process. In Texas, a father’s consent may be required for adoption, and both parents can participate in choosing the adoptive family, deciding on future contact arrangements, and creating a plan that reflects their wishes for their child’s future.

In modern adoption, ongoing contact between both parents and the child is possible. If you choose adoption, you and the baby’s mother may have the opportunity to agree on the level of communication and contact you would like to maintain with your child and the adoptive family.

Fathers