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. |
