What Are My Second-Trimester Pregnancy Options?

Reaching the second trimester without knowing what you want to do can be stressful. Maybe you need more time, your circumstances have changed, or you only recently realized how far along you are.

Parenting, adoption, and, depending on gestational age and applicable Kansas law, abortion may be options during the second trimester. Vera Women’s Center offers no-cost, limited medical services and information to help you understand your pregnancy and the resources available to you.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Kansas Law Changes at 22 Weeks

The second trimester spans a fairly wide range of pregnancy, which makes your exact gestational age important when researching state abortion laws. Kansas law defines gestational age as 22 weeks or more, measured from the first day of the last menstrual period.

Under current Kansas statute, abortion at 22 weeks or later is generally prohibited, with exceptions when physicians determine that an abortion is necessary to preserve the pregnant woman’s life or that continuing the pregnancy would cause a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.

It’s important to gather more information about your pregnancy and health before making a decision. We provide a limited ultrasound following a positive urine pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy, which includes determining how far along you are.

If You’re Thinking About Parenting

Parenting is still a possibility even if you’re further along than you realized. The second trimester still gives you time to make preparations for a baby without needing to have every detail settled immediately.

You may wonder how this option will fit into your life, especially if you have financial concerns, know you’d like to develop parenting skills to feel more confident, or need to build a support system. However, you won’t be figuring things out alone. 

Vera Women’s Center offers prenatal and parenting classes, including classes for Spanish-speaking clients. Material aid may also be available, and the center can provide community referrals when you need help locating other resources.

You might use the next several months to think about childcare, work or school schedules, and who you want involved after the baby arrives. We’ll help you every step of the way and connect you to the support you need.

If You’re Looking Into Adoption

You can also begin an adoption plan during the second trimester. Far from how it has been portrayed in movies or approached in the past, adoption is not “giving up your baby.” Rather, it’s an opportunity to place your child in a loving family while making choices that align with your goals and preferences. 

A licensed adoption professional can explain how adoption works, what rights you have during the process, and what open, semi-open, or closed adoption plans may involve.

Vera Women’s Center does not function as an adoption agency, but we can provide referrals to adoption agencies so you can speak directly with professionals who handle adoption plans.

Find Out More Information

We know that this can be a challenging time, and we’re here for you every step of the way. We’ll provide the information and resources you need to make an educated decision. 

Schedule an appointment today and learn more about your pregnancy, available resources, and pregnancy options.

Vera Women’s Center does not provide or refer for abortions.

All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.