What Do I Need to Know If I Am Pregnant in High School?
If you’re pregnant and still in high school, the first thing you should do is take a deep breath. While it’s not ideal timing, you have options, and you can still achieve all the hopes, dreams, and goals you had for your future — the journey will just be a little bit different than you had originally planned.
Read this article for practical steps to find a pregnancy path that’s right for you.
Take a Pregnancy Test
Ensure you’re not relying on common symptoms such as a late or missed period. If you haven’t taken one, confirm your pregnancy with a positive test.
You can get one at any local pharmacy or schedule a free and confidential appointment at our Center where we can provide you with medical-grade pregnancy testing.
Decide on the Best Time to Tell Your Parents and Partner
Once you have confirmed your pregnancy, the next step you’ll likely consider (or even dread) is how to share the news with your partner or parents.
Asking yourself some of the following questions can help you evaluate when would be the best time to share:
Do I know what steps I’m considering for my pregnancy (adoption, abortion, or parenting)?
Can I trust my parents/partner to support me?
Do I feel safe with them?
Your answers to these questions can help you navigate the best way to have the conversation when you decide to share the news. If you trust your parents and partner and know they will support you, you can share the information sooner instead of waiting until you’ve made concrete plans.
If you’re unsure how they will respond, getting more information might be a good idea before revealing your pregnancy. To gather more information about your pregnancy, we offer no-cost ultrasounds at our Center that can help reveal details such as your pregnancy’s age and viability (whether or not the pregnancy shows signs of life) as well as eliminate any health concerns, like an ectopic pregnancy.
These details can affect your eligibility for certain procedures, so getting this health screening done before sharing the news can solidify your decision without any outside pressure.
Schedule a Consultation
You’re not alone in this pregnancy decision. At Zoe, A Woman’s Center, we’re here for you, meeting you where you are. We provide free, confidential (according to Maine state law) consultations where you can ask questions, learn about your options, and get connected to local resources. Contact us today!