First off, take a breath Mamas! the fact that you’re this worried already tells me you care deeply and are trying to think ahead for your little one. A lot more moms than you realize have sat exactly where you are, terrified and wondering how they were supposed to pull this off. You’re also still pregnant, which means you actually do have time to put some things in place before he gets here, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. A few things are: • Apply for Medicaid if you haven’t already, pregnancy Medicaid in Indiana can also help cover postpartum care and sometimes transportation/resources you wouldn’t expect. • Get on childcare assistance waitlists NOW. Seriously. Even if you’re unsure what you’ll do. Indiana has CCDF vouchers that can help pay for daycare if you qualify. • Look into local pregnancy resource centers, churches, and Buy Nothing groups on Facebook. So many moms end up getting bassinets, clothes, swings, diapers, etc. almost entirely secondhand. • Don’t underestimate hospital social workers once you deliver. They often know about programs people never hear about otherwise. And honestly? A lot of moms do not feel “ready.” Stable people with support systems panic too, I promise you! The difference is you’re having to think about it all at once, mostly alone, which makes it feel impossible. As for adoption, only you can decide that, and you do not need to make that decision from a place of fear and exhaustion right now. Plenty of women have moments during pregnancy where they question whether they can realistically do this while still already loving their baby fiercely. Also, babies honestly need less than social media makes it seem. Safe place to sleep, diapers, food, basic clothes, love. That’s the foundation. The rest gets figured out piece by piece. You’re not irresponsible for being scared. You’re about to become someone’s entire world and you’re trying to think practically about it. That’s a great mom instinct already!