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Stephen & Pamela
We should have listened to the other success stories we read on your website. We activated our profile on August 5th and were matched August 14th with our first contact. We got to meet the birthparents several times over the next couple of months and talked to them daily. It was so nice having a couple of months before our precious baby girl was due to get to know them and get more ...
Teen Pregnancy, Unplanned Pregnancy, Pregnancy Education, Pregnancy Options
Teenage pregnancy seems to be more common with each passing year. But the fact that it is a difficult situation in which to find yourself doesn't lessen. The truth is that experiencing an unplanned pregnancy is stressful and frightening no matter if you're fifteen or twenty-eight. However, it can be more so for those who are dependent on others for survival, like teens.
As a teen, your life probably consisted of school, friends, after-school activities, and family. However, an unplanned pregnancy can change all of that, especially the school aspect. Continuing your education can be difficult as a pregnant teen. This is due to social stigmas and necessary and frequent doctor visits.
After you've confirmed your pregnancy and visited with a doctor, the next thing you should consider is how education and pregnancy fit together in your life. If you decide to continue attending your school, be ready for negative words, actions, and looks. If it becomes a problem, consider speaking with teachers, school counselors, or school administrators. Or, you can get together with your parents and meet with the other students' parents. Having a frank discussion about bullying may fix the problem.
However, if teasing continues and intensifies, you have some other options to consider. You can transfer to a different school in your area and start fresh, begin taking high school classes online or in private study, or wait until after labor and delivery to return to school. Whatever you decide, make sure you discuss it with your parents first.
Before you're far into your pregnancy, inform your teachers of the days you'll miss for doctor appointments. Come to an agreement about attendance, class work, and missed assignments. Telling your teachers of absences ahead of time will show them you're serious about your education, which may make them more lenient, empathetic, and understanding.
You may find that as you explore your options, it is best to complete school on your own or wait until after pregnancy. Exploring your options requires time, patience, and hard work. Your basic options are abortion, adoption, or parenting. And these types of decisions aren't usually ones that you can make in a few hours. It can take days, weeks, or even months. This type of decision will change your life and your baby's life.
While it's important to figure out how to couple education and pregnancy, if you decide to parent, you'll need to find out how to go to school and be an active parent. Again, home or online school may be viable options. Also, daycare is an option. Some schools even offer daycare to enrolled parents.
In the end, make sure it's your decision. But remember that you can continue your education during pregnancy and parenthood. It may seem like a big bump in the road, but consider it the start of your life journey and an opportunity to learn more about yourself in the process.