I’m A Teenager & Think I’m Pregnant
Whether you’ve planned it or not planned it, you period is late and you suspect you might be pregnant. Finding out that you’re pregnant can be stressful for any woman but as a teenager you may be feeling like it’s the end of the world. However, millions of other before you have experienced and survived teenage pregnancy.
What Are My Options?
If you had sex within four days of reading this article and would like to take steps to prevent a pregnancy, then you need to make an emergency appointment with your GP to get an emergency contraceptive pill (ECP.)
An ECP will stop your body releasing an gg. If an egg has already been released then the ECP will prevent the egg from being fertilized. If the egg has already been fertilized then the ECP will prevent the egg from embedding in the uterus wall.
An ECP will not cause a miscarriage or abortion.
If you are not sure whether or not you are pregnant, then you need to find out for sure. Click here to read our article How Do I Know I Am Pregnant? A home pregnancy test is the best way to find out in the first instance. The nice thing about the home pregnancy tests is they are quick, convenient and accurate. They can be bought over the counter from your local pharmacist. To use a home pregnancy kit, you will need to urinate on an absorbent stick a few days after your missed period. A line will appear in a window indicating whether or not you are pregnant after a set amount of time. If the test shows a positive result then you need to make an appointment with your GP to confirm that you are pregnant.
I’m Pregnant. What Are My Options?
- Keep the baby and become a parent
- Continue the pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption
- Continue the pregnancy and put the baby into foster care
- Terminate the pregnancy by having an abortion
What Does Being A Teenage Parent Involve?
Being a parent, teenage or adult or not is a full time job. This does not mean that you can not do it, but it will be challenging, rewarding and unique. A baby will take up almost all of your time, will cost a lot of money and require patience, determination and responsibility. If you chose to become a mum, consider whether this is a good time in your life to be raising a child? Do you have friends and family who can help you? It will be much harder without support. Also think about how you will raise the money to support yourself
What Does Adoption Involve?
Adoption is an option that many teenage mums choose. If you choose to adopt your baby, you will go through a normal pregnancy and birth, then, once the baby is born, he or she will be given to another couple who will raise the child on their own. The couple will go through stringent selection process to be selected as adoptive parents and they will take on all legal and parental responsibilities. The adoption process is largely irreversible which means that once your baby has been adopted it will be nearly impossible to have them back. There are many successful adoptions every year and yet some mothers find it very hard to be permanently physically and emotionally separated from their baby
What Will Fostering Involve?
If you choose to have your baby fostered, you will go through a normal pregnancy and birth, then, once the baby is born, he or she will be put into the joint care of foster parents and the Local Authority. Fostering is usually for a shorter period of time than adopting, although long term fostering is possible.
What Will An Abortion Involve?
Abortion can be an emotionally traumatic and very sensitive choice for many women to make. Abortion means termination a pregnancy. Most abortions are carried out before the twelfth week of pregnancy. If it is carried out at a licensed clinic and by experienced health care professionals, abortion is completely safe. Do not under any circumstances attempt to perform an abortion by yourself.
Abortion is not the right option for every mum. Some mums regret their decisions later in life. If you decide that you would like an abortion try to make sure that you are making the decision by yourself and not because somebody else wants you to. There are impartial people that you can talk to if you would like to clarify the way you are feeling and your GP will be able to put you in touch with experienced and professional counsellors
What If I Still Don’t Know What To Do?
Whilst trying not to panic, try to think about whether you might benefit from talking to someone. This might be a close friend, relative, teacher or a professional counsellor
Regardless of your final decision, you shouldn't rush yourself into making a choice that you will regret later. However, the sooner you are able to make a decision, the sooner you can start receiving prenatal care (if you have decided to continue the pregnancy).
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