This is one of the most difficult and confusing questions that a woman can face. It is a decision that will have ramifications for the rest of your life and is a clear choice of paths.

In many cases, family history of illness plays a large role in expecting parents’ decision to keep the child. Often times, if a mother or a father has a genetic blood disease, they may not want to force the same fate upon their child. However, the decision could be made much easier if parents are made aware of possible treatment methods, including cord blood transplants. When the child is born, banking cord blood from the baby’s umbilical cord is a viable choice for parents.  If the child becomes ill with one of many treatable blood diseases like leukemia or thalassemia, then the banked cord blood presents a treatment option that could help them live a long and healthy life.

At the time my brother was born, my mother went through this decision, as it was a completely unplanned pregnancy.  In her case, despite her advancing age, she elected to have the child.  While undoubtedly as a youngster he caused many problems, the happiness that he has brought into our families life has been immeasurable. 

The decision

While having a child can amount to a large financial strain, uncertainty and a huge responsibility, it is also one of the greatest experiences life has to offer. That same exact being will never have the opportunity to roam the universe without the mother first giving birth. While societal support structures vary from country to country, there are usually people or agencies the mother can draw on for help, regardless of whether she thinks she can manage on her own.

Adoption is an alternative. Having a sister who was adopted into our family, I can see that there is a living breathing person who has found happiness in the world, despite her mothers inability to take on that responsibility herself.

Gifts of life

The gift of life is a powerful blessing, and while the father can certainly contribute to the event, it is part of the strength of the woman that she has the ability to give birth. Material obstacles will always be present in life, but to give the gift of life is a freedom of the individual to decide. If you are already pregnant, then those who would say you have already decided.

Difficult decisions

More complex issues arise when the child is born of an unwilling union, such as in the case of rape or incest. Additional decisions that may complicate the matter are those based on health of the potential child and the mother.

Spiritual Considerations

There are many who feel that the spirit chooses the vessel that most suits their purpose in life and the lessons that they must learn to grow. A damaged vessel is a severe liability and may prove to be to great a challenge for most to handle. The moral question changes considerably if the birth is forcing another entity to travel a road that is certain to be frought with increased hardship. Birth defects can have life long implications, and perhaps is a road not best travelled. The parents should consider this situation very carefully using their own moral compass as a guide.

An entity which enters through an unwilling union is perhaps better suited to finding a vehicle of more comfortable arrival.  

Regardless of the origin of the journey, the circumstances will conform to present life challenges that are needed for spiritual growth. The nature of this moral dilemna are different but must be carefully thought out. The child will serve as a constant reminder of the event and possibly reinforce that karmic cycle. Whether to let go or hold on in that circumstance is a very personal decision.   

Birth Control

If you have not yet become pregnant, then that is the best time to consider the implications of your actions. Birth control may seem like an inconvenience in the heat of passion, but is certainly a sensible option if you are not prepared to share your world with another being.  

Philosophical Aspects

While there are moral philosophies which advocate against birth control, it can certainly be said that until the seed is planted in fertile soil it cannot grow. To take this viewpoint to the ultimate conclusion would be to suggest that not breeding at every possible opportunity is to engage in the practice of birth control. 

No form of birth control is 100% perfect, so always consider that you are open to the potential of having a child whenever you sleep with someone. If the universe has a plan of destiny then by setting a foot upon the road is opening enough for the act  of will to take place.

If pregnant

at this time, then you have a different set of circumstances to evaluate. Each of us must choose our own paths in life, and while others may influence our decisions, we are the ultimate arbitraters of our own fate. The decision to abort should not be taken lightly, it is a decision that will follow you for the rest of your life. Like all important life decisions, be prepared for the consequences of your actions and think it through very carefully before acting. This is literally a choice of great consequence and a decision that should not be taken lightly. Adoption is almost always a superior option.

External Influences

Your partner may have very strong views on the matter, may be very involved with your life, or may never be seen again. Regardless of the status of your current relationship, there are no guarantees that those circumstances will not have changed by the time you give birth. Resist the temptation to make an emotionally based decision on the spur of a moment. If there is ever a time to evaluate your emotions with deep scrutiny this is it. The status of your external relationships can change as easily as any other transitory part of the life experience, and you are decieving yourself if you believe otherwise.  

Life is an opportunity

Since the circumstances can change in your life at any time, and you as the birth giver are primarily responsible for your decision, look at it in terms of a once in a lifetime opportunity. To simply bring life into the world is the greatest opportunity you can ever offer anyone, it is the root from which all other opportunities are born.

All that exists means nothing if there are no eyes to see it. Regardless of whether you feel up to the challenge of raising the child, there are alternatives that can give the potential being a chance at life. Many mothers change their minds about where their life is taking them over the course of the pregnancy. There is much to be said for taking the seed and giving birth, even if you desire to have another party raise the child. 

Unless there are strong reasons not to go through with it, not transitory reasons like the current state of your relationships. Instead, more significant reasons such as health or the nature of the conception itself, the moment when the energies focused to create the being, it is not so much of a burden to give a year of your life to help another vision become a positive reality.

Ultimately the decision is a personal one. If you are pregnant than it is your call to make. Life is long, live it well and good things will happen.

Spiritual Considerations

Spiritual traditions have different viewpoints. There are those who interpret the scripture as saying abortion is wrong in all circumstances, and others who say it is like a miscarriage where without the first breath of spirit, it is a life that comes and goes without meaning. 

Other faiths have their own teachings, although most cherish the essence of life and the pure spiritual joy of living.

Ultimately, each of us is a traveller through the universe and we will know when we arrive at our final destination, what the answwers are.  

If life is truly never ending, a momentous wheel and journey through time and space in a variety of forms then the outlook may be different than if you view this life as a singular chance to prove your worth as a person, a trial at the end of which you will be judged. There are those who believe we simply vanish into nothingness at the end of our time. Physicists believe that information is neither created nor destroyed, but simply takes different forms. 

If you are pregnant you are ripe with possibilities and at an important juncture.    Take time to evaluate your beliefs and be true to the being that you are and wish to become. Understand the consequences of your choices and realize that your assessment of how life works may change in the future.   

Your philosophies on the nature of your being are worth examining and should help you make the right decision. Only you can decide what the right thing is, although this may well include consultation with your partner and others around you. As in all things in life it is important to do the right thing.