Being a teenager and finding out you are expecting a baby, especially if the pregnancy is unintended and not wanted, can put enormous stress on you and your family. If you found out a girl was having sex in high school, they would be labeled a slut. Never the boys only the girls. Nudes of girls would be sent around, and she would be given a bad name. We never stopped and ask the boy why he had them, or why he has spread them no, the girl was just the rotten one at that point. And when a said girl became pregnant. She has been outcasted. No one wants to be friends with a teen mom.
As a teen, most girls are thinking about clothes, boys, parties, and their future in college. Though when you fall pregnant, everyone tells you your future is over. That you will never finish high school or go to college. Finding out you are pregnant — or that you will become a teenage father — can bring up many different emotions. You might feel confused and scared, or happy and excited. All these feelings are normal and okay. Your feelings will probably also change while you are thinking about your options.
If you are pregnant, options for you to consider include:
* continue the pregnancy and raise your child with a partner
* continue the pregnancy and raise your child on your own
* continue the pregnancy followed by adoption
*end the pregnancy (termination)
The number one thing our Rebel community has advised about teen pregnancy is that you have choices, it is your body, you get to choose what happens to it because after all, you have to deal with your choice every day, not the bystanders.
If you choose to have the baby here is some truth from a fellow rebel:
“Being a single parent is hard. I know you would like to think that your high school sweetheart will marry you and you will live happily ever after as a family, but nine times out of ten that is not the case. In fact, many teenage boys who get girls pregnant never have anything to do with their baby.”
Another Rebel had this advice: (Please note she has her own business now and is very successful)
“Please know you are worthy of the whole teenage experience. You are worthy of graduating high school and going to college. And you are worthy of graduating college. These are the years you SHOULD be selfish. I want you to put YOUR educational wants and dreams first. There is no problem with being attracted to and liking boys, but please wait to have sex or at least use two forms of protection.”
It’s very brave of you to want to take full responsibility for your child. Though it was your mistake that your pregnant, a baby born is no mistake. No person is a mistake! The situation might not be idle, and it will be hard. But at the end of the day, you have your motivation to be a better person, right there in your arms.
Or your other choice: end the pregnancy
Abortion is very common, and people have abortions for many different reasons. Only you know what’s best for you. If you’re thinking about having an abortion, you’re so not alone. Millions of people face unplanned pregnancies every year, and about 4 out of 10 of them decide to get an abortion. Some people with planned pregnancies also get abortions because of health or safety reasons. Sometimes, the decision is simple. Other times, it’s complicated. But either way, the decision to have an abortion is personal, and you’re the only one who can make it.
Decisions about your pregnancy are deeply personal. You hold the power to make decisions that are best for you to stay on your own path to a healthy and meaningful life. There are lots of things to consider, and it’s totally normal to have many different feelings and thoughts when making this decision. That’s why it’s important to get factual, non-judgmental information about abortion. Support from family, friends, partners and other people you trust can also be helpful.
Unfortunately, many teenagers delay seeking advice when they are pregnant, perhaps hoping that it is not true. Those who choose to continue with the pregnancy these delays can miss important antenatal care. But you must get medical attention. Teenagers have higher rates of complications in pregnancy and childbirth and are at higher risk of postnatal depression.
But at the end of the day, only you know what’s right for you.
If you decide on an abortion, we at Rebels advise you to see a counselor or someone you can trust, talk about your feelings, and how you felt. Don’t leave an open wound to come back and haunt you later in life. Either way, no matter what you choose, make sure you are happy! That's to most Rebel thing anyone can do.
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