[mysticpenguin]

Hi.

I'm almost 20 years old and I just found out I'm about 6 weeks pregnant.

I am extremely responsible and took EVERY precaution with my boyfriend -- I was on the pill and he should have been sterile anyway. But nevertheless, what's happened has happened -- and now I have to deal with it.

I was thinking about abortion at first, I have to admit, but now as the appointment date draws closer I don't think I can do it. I feel like all of my reasons for choosing abortion over adoption are selfish and lazy. I know I'm not ready to parent and it's not a possibility anyway, for reasons expanded upon below.

I have a few questions and concerns.

1) How severe is postpartum depression for birth mothers? I'm looking for personal experiences so that I can prepare myself.

2) I am due on October 28th 2009. My boyfriend, who I'm planning to marry, is going to be at basic training for the USAF from late May to late July. After basic, he will be going to tech school in either Florida or Texas. So, I'll be planning to move down there. Should I look for adoptive parents from whichever state I wind up in? Do I have to?

3) Continuing from #2, I will be nearly 7 months pregnant at that time. If I can't get a job as a result of that, will the adoption agency try to help me?

4) I'm also debating whether I should move down to TX or FL when I'm about 4-5 months along. Will that significantly improve my chances at finding good adoptive parents? Do I even stand a chance of finding suitable parents if I wait to start interviewing until I'm almost 7 months along?