While on a decline, there are still a significant number of teenage pregnancies that occur every year. This can be overwhelming for teenagers to deal with, especially if they think they have been practicing safe sex. So, what should you do if you find yourself pregnant? The first thing to do is to take a deep breath, it is not the end of the world, and may even be a good thing as you are bringing a new life into the world which you will love deeply. There are ways you can handle this situation that you are now in, if you are having difficulty.
Talk to Your Parents
The first thing you need to do is tell your parents. This is probably one of the hardest conversations you will ever have with your parents. Remember that no matter their reaction, they still love you. Your parents are here to help and support you. Letting them know what is going on is the first step to taking control of the situation and figuring out what to do.
Tell the Father
After you have told your parents, you need to talk to the father of the baby. He has a right to be involved in every step of the decision process. The father’s initial reaction may be shock, sadness, or even anger. He may be in denial. In some cases, the father may even deny responsibility. Regardless of his reaction, you need to know if he wants to be involved in this decision process. He has parental rights as well.
See A Doctor
Your next step is to see a doctor. Your parents can help you with finding an appropriate physician and setting an appointment. The doctor will make sure that you and your baby are healthy. Your doctor will also help you understand what you need to do take care of yourself and what you should expect during the rest of your pregnancy.
Consider Your Options
Early on in the pregnancy, you need to sit down with the father of the baby, both sets of parents, and if necessary a counselor. Together, you can all discuss the option that is best for everyone. You may feel that giving the baby up for adoption is the best choice for your unborn child. If this is the case, you can get in touch with an adoption counselor who will guide you through the steps in order to find a family who will raise and love your child.
You may decide that you want to keep your baby. Make sure that you understand all the implications of this before you make the final decision. In this case, living arrangement, financial arrangement, and child care arrangements need to be immediately made. It’s important to know how to care for and feed your baby, especially if you decide to be a teen mom.
Although you are in a difficult situation, remember that you have support all around you to help decide what is best for you and your baby.