Finding out that you are pregnant at a young age can be frightening. Some young, expectant mothers are unsure whether or not keeping their child is a viable option. Making this type of decision can be overwhelming when you are dealing with the physical strain of pregnancy. Rather than making any hard and fast decision while you are in an emotional state, you might want to consider interim foster care as a solution.

Here are three things you need to know in order to decide if interim foster care is the right option to help you after your baby is born.

1. Interim foster care can buy you extra time to make a final decision.

Although you may be leaning toward placing your child for adoption during your pregnancy, it is possible to change your mind after the child is born. Researchers have determined that women who are under the age of 17, were raised by a single mother, or have a difficult labor are most likely to change their minds about placing their child for adoption, even when the decision to adopt has been decided on prior to delivery.

If you are having second thoughts about adoption after your own child is born, interim foster care can give you the time you need to make a final decision, without the worry of hurting the feelings of adoptive parents. An interim foster family can care for your child until you decide to keep the baby or place it with an adoptive family.

2. Interim foster care ensures your child will be in a secure environment.

While you are trying to determine the fate of your child it's important the baby is placed in a secure environment. When you aren't ready to care for the child at home, interim foster care can be a viable option.

Interim foster parents are required to receive training in infant CPR, advanced child safety, and infant care techniques. These professional parents will be able to care for your child in a loving and secure environment while you take the time you need to decide if you are ready to raise the child, or you want to place the baby with an adoptive family.

3. Interim foster care serves as a safeguard for all parties involved.

If you have selected an adoptive family prior to labor and delivery, but you begin to have second thoughts about your decision, then placing your child in an interim family will help safeguard the feelings of all parties involved.

If you decide to keep your child after it has been placed with the adoptive family, that family will likely experience emotional trauma. On the other hand, you might feel like you don't have the option to change your mind once the child is placed. Interim foster parents alleviate the threat of emotional harm, making it easier for you to make a clear decision.

Unplanned pregnancies can be difficult, but using interim foster care to buy more time to make a final decision regarding adoption will ensure that you child is kept in a safe environment and both your and the adoptive family's feelings are protected during the decision making process. For counseling and other services relating to adoption, visit Pregnancy Center Of Wayne County.