Young & Pregnant:
What Are My Options?

If you are a teen who has recently found out you are pregnant, you will certainly feel a sense of loneliness and fear. Up until now, you may never have had to deal with a critical life issue, let alone a situation that will affect the rest of your life. Although you are feeling frightened and helpless, but you should understand that you do not have to go through this alone.

You may not be sure whom you can trust with your news. You may not know how your friends and family will respond. If you are not quite ready to share your situation with people in your life, you may decide to contact youth counselors or others who are available to help you. You may think you know what to do, but things seem more complicated when pregnancy options become your options.

So what are your choices?

Choice #1 – Parenting
This option may be difficult to even think about.
It is a life long commitment, yet you may feel like your life is over. When you feel like your whole life may be ruined by this pregnancy, it may be difficult to consider parenting as a positive choice.

Although parenting a child while you are young is extremely difficult for many reasons, you should investigate all your options, including the benefits and the realistic challenges you would experience by choosing parenting. By talking with counselors and other women who have chosen parenting, you will better understand this choice.

Choice #2 – Abortion
This is a critical choice.
You should not decide on abortion quickly or because you are under pressure. Although law allows you to make choices about your body, you should take sufficient time to consider this option.

Though this choice may seem like a quick solution to your problem, abortion presents possible serious physical and emotional risks. Before making any decision, be sure you have all the facts about abortion. You can get a realistic view of all the challenges you may face by talking to a counselor and to other young women who have made this choice.

Choice #3 – Adoption
Of all your options, this may appear to be the most difficult to you. The idea of carrying a child for 9 months and then placing the baby with another family may appear emotionally unthinkable.

The opportunity of today’s open adoption process allows children to grow up knowing they are loved by both their adoptive parents and their birth parents. It allows you to make the decisions you want to about your pregnancy, delivery, and your baby’s future. You may even choose the adoptive family you want and visit your child if you wish!

As with all your options, fully exploring the adoption process will give a clear picture and help you make the right choice. Counselors, adoptive parents and other birth mothers are available to help you get a better understanding of adoption.

Yes, you may be young and pregnant, but you don’t have to go through the days ahead all on your own. Someone who cares is just a phone call away.

Lifetime Center is an organization that can answer your questions and give you non-judgmental help. You may call or text them at 1-800-923-6784. The coordinators at the center are all women. They can set you up on a private phone conference with a licensed family counselor or put you in contact with another woman close to your age who has gone through what you are now facing.

They can help you sort out your feelings and give you suggestions on how to approach your family, the father or anyone else you want to speak to about your pregnancy. They can also help you with other immediate needs such as housing and transportation. Don’t feel rushed into any decision. First, take the time to find out all the facts about your options—you will be glad you did. Call or text Right Now 1-800-923-6784.