Teenager & Pregnant? Ask these Questions…
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of teenagers (ages 13 – 19) giving birth has declined over the last decade. Over 50% of documented teenage pregnancies end with a termination. If you are a teenager & pregnant, ask yourself these important questions before deciding about what you will do going forward:
What sort of support network do I have around me?
Finding out you’re pregnant can be a very isolating time as you may fear the social stigma, parental backlash, the reaction of your partner, and more. Being a teenager & pregnant may not have been your plan A. Asking yourself, “Who can I talk to?” is important.
How does having a baby as a teenager affect my economic future?
While there’s no way to predict the future in any circumstance, it’s important to consider your education options if you’re still in school. Continuing your education is a key component to ensuring a solid financial future for you and your baby. Locally, the Dale Young Parents school provides flexible learning environments for both mums and dads and onsite early learning care for your babies whilst you study. Also, the Australian Government provides financial support to single mums and mums in school.
What choices do I have when I’m a teenager & pregnant?
As a young woman, you have the power to choose how you want to proceed with your pregnancy. Taking time to understand all of your options (abortion, adoption, and parenting) will allow you to move forward with accurate information, lists of pros and cons, and resources available to you. Oftentimes, women do not know what their options are and part of the fear around a pregnancy is the unknown.
Should I tell my parents that I’m pregnant?
Some teenagers worry about what their parents will think if they find out they are having sex, let alone have fallen pregnant. Only you can decide what you feel most comfortable with but you might be surprised the support and care your parents will give after the shock wears off.
What rights and responsibilities does the father have?
Young men can understandably feel quite fearful and overwhelmed to find out their partner has fallen pregnant. Understanding your rights and also your legal responsibilities is very important. You can contact Legal Aid to speak to someone if you’re unsure of the legal requirements for you and the father of your baby.
How will this affect my relationships as a teenager?
No matter the age of a woman who falls pregnant, her relationships with friends and family can take on a new dynamic. If you’re young and unmarried, you may feel your dating relationship is at risk depending on your decision. It’s important to consider what that might look like before you decide what to do. If no one else in your peer group is a mum, your friends might not understand what you’re going through. Your parents will be affected by the news of your pregnancy as well.
How can Zoe’s Place help?
Zoe’s Place offers FREE and confidential non-directive support to its clients. Pregnancy testing, mentoring, pre-decision counselling, and post-abortion counselling are some of the services Zoe’s Place provides. You’re welcome to bring a friend, partner, or family member to your appointment where you can ask questions and access other services that our community provides.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment or to talk with one of our caring client support team members. Seeking peace of mind during what can be a difficult or confusing time of life is important and our goal is to give you a “safe place to pause.”