| You
are a teenager and you are pregnant. What are you going to do?
You cannot turn back the time and undo what you have done. What
you need to focus on are the present and the future. And your
first step is to decide what you want to do in raising your child
and how you will support it. You should also be aware that it
is possible for you to finish school and hold a job even if you
are going to have a baby. The
second step you need to do is to inform and make arrangements
with the father-to-be. How to inform him will depend on the
relationship you have with him. If he is a steady boyfriend,
then it will be easier for you to tell him that you are pregnant
with your child.
If it was only a
one-night stand, then you should first make him admit that he
had sex with you on a particular date. Perhaps you did not use
protection or the condom broke, and this is why you are now
X weeks pregnant. You may bring the results of a home pregnancy
test or the lab tests and blood work conducted by your doctor.
If he refuses to acknowledge your child, tell him that he may
expect a court-ordered DNA test.
The next agenda is
child support. Even if you have no relationship with the father-to-be,
you must still insist on child support. Even if you wanted nothing
from him, the child deserves the support. If he refuses, then
you can get another court order for him. Be aware that in some
states, child support may begin at the seventh month of pregnancy.
And lastly, the decision to abort or have the child is entirely
yours. The father-to-be has no say in the matter.
The third step you
need to do is to inform your parents or guardians. You may fear
that they are going to kick you out but they cannot do that
because such is illegal. You may expect them to be extremely
angry and disappointed and you must accept this. You may either
have a face to face talk with your parent or you may write them
a letter. Begin by telling them that you have done something
that will disappoint them.
But, more than anything
else, you need their love and support. This is because you are
now X weeks pregnant. It is also best that you present them
your plans of raising and supporting the child. If the father-to-be
is an accepted boyfriend, then it will considerably ease the
minds of your parents if he will be the one who will explain
how the child will be supported. You need to show your parents
that you have become responsible.
And the last step
you need to do is to educate yourself about pregnancy. Read
materials about what to expect and what to do. |
