...Pregnancy Help?

Question

Hello.

I'm 17 year old. I’m 5 weeks pregnant and have decided to keep the baby because it's only fair to give my child a chance to live in life. I know I will be a wonderful mother, but I have not told my Parents I am pregnant yet. Because I know they will be
greatly disappointed at me. And that makes me feel like I have failed them.

But my biggest fear is not completing high school. In September I will be in my last year of high school "Grade 12". And all I need is 8 more credits to graduate. My 1st plan was to wear baggie clothes to hide the pregnancy. But then again I know I'm kidding myself because as time goes by my belly will become bigger and will be more visible to see plus I have a very small body. I’m trying not to give up on myself just because I'm having a child.

I want to show all those dumb Teen pregnancy Statistics
that any teenage mother can achieve great things in life once they put their mind to it.

Right now I just feel Sad, Alone and confused. As the father of my child doesn’t take anytime too talk to me. Because he say’s “I stress him out on the Topic”

Answer 1

I got pregnant at 17 while a senior in high school. I graduated and went on to college. First off you need to tell your parents. They will probably take it better than you think, and you will def need your mom during this time. The father was not then and is not now active in the child's life. Don't try to hide anything, they will find out, people talk and you will want your teachers to know why you are getting up and running out of class to the bathroom (morning sickness). It is hard, but being a first time parent is hard on everyone, not just 17 yr olds. I know you can do it. Just remember to keep your head up and stick with it no matter how hard it gets. you want to provide the best life you can for yourself and your little one. You will def need a degree to do it. If you need advice or to talk let me know and I'll get you my e-mail. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I was exactly where you are right now many years ago. If I had not told my parents, I would not be where I am today. It really does take a village to raise a baby. I was able to take only the classes I needed my senior year to graduate. I went on to go to college and some grad school. I am not married and a Stay at home mom to 3 beautiful children with a husband who loves them all equally!

What I can recommend is this:
1. STAY IN SCHOOL NO MATTER HOW HARD IT GETS. There are tons of gov. programs out there that can help and also Catholic Social Services have TONS of programs also the Right to Life (formerly Birthline).

2. Do not Date for a while -- focus on you and baby. Once you DO start to date, do not bring him home until you are sure this is the person you will spend the rest of your life with. Men in and out of a child's life ruins them....

3. Get financial and physical support from the biodad. Agree right now that no matter how bad things get you will work as a team and not blame eachother b/c the child needs to come first.

This will be the hardest and best thing you ever do in your life! Hang on for the ride!

Answer 3

Good for you.

To answer your question, you stated you were 5 weeks pregnant. I am assuming you have goe to a family planning clinic and got a pregnancy test or a Home test to confirm that you are pregnant.

First you need to talk to the parents. They have a right to know that they are going to be grandparents. Yes they will be dispointed, but I guarantee that that feeling will last only a day or two before the love the idea and you.

Second, you need medical care. so talking to mom and dad becomes even more important.

If i am correct you probably will deliver in March of next year. You will need at least 3 weeks of recovery time before you can get back to school so the most amount of school you MIGHT miss is a month. So when you go on leave, make sure you ask your teachers to give you incompletes and you can finish them during summer school in 2008.

A sympathetic teacher may even give you homework to keep up on while you are convelesceing. (Spelling Sorry)

Answer 4

Hello i don't know how informative my answer because i have have never been a teen mother or had any friends as teen mothers but i will give my best answer.
First: Pregnancy is something thing that you can not go through alone. You have to tell your parents. They may be disappointed but your their daughter they will care for you still.
Second: Book a doctor appointment soon to make sure you and they baby are ok.
Third:If you don't have a job get one, although your parents might help you you want to be able to provide somewhat for your child be your self
Fourth: Have a healthly and happy pregnancy and birth :)
P.S. I've always like the name Ophelia

Answer 5

First off, I must say that you sound like a strong young woman with a wonderful head on her shoulders. Your sweet little baby will have much respect for you. I think its super you chose life for you and your baby. Get ready for the most wonderful, rich, nerve racking and powerful experience. Birthing and raising a child. You can do it.

Second, your feelings go with most pregnancies in general. Get ready for those feelings to come 10 fold. Hormones. Its okay and natural. Keep your convictions and your beliefs strong. Don't waiver your feelings on this subject and you can achieve anything "you put your mind to" as you say.

Third, your parents can help the most. They love you. They don't want you to fail. You are carrying their grandchild! Of course they will be upset/disappointed at first cause this is going to be tough on you sweetie. YOU CAN DO IT! My sister got pregnant in the 70's (very uncommon) at the age of 19 an unwed. Her first time having sex too. She told my parents who are/were very religious and they stood by her. Her daughter is a lovely young woman and my sister is one of the strongest people you could ever know. It's okay. Your path is chosen for a reason. Live it to the fullest and remember. You can get through this. Take it day by day and the answers will come. Please talk to your family. If you can;t count on them, who can you count on? Start there.

Answer 6

Good for you for determining to go on in life and for keeping your baby!

It will be really hard, but I recommend telling your parents. They might freak out at first but eventually they will be your greatest help. They can help you research what your options are for school, since some areas have programs to help teen moms graduate. Even if you don't have any special programs, with your parents help you should be able to graduate just fine from school. I've seen lots of mothers do it in college, and that is even harder than high school. However, you probably won't be able to keep it a secret, but that's something you're going to have to accept if you really want to do what you're saying.

Answer 7

first, tell your mom because with anything that happens your mom is going to be your rock, since the baby's father is too 'stressed out'...your mom knows how a pregnancy is, remember you were in her belly once...and congratulations on deciding to stay in school. you can definitely do it. i went to school with a lot of girls who got pregnant in senior year, had the baby, got tutoring while they were in post-partum, and most of them graduated. the ones that didn't were the ones that didn't care. having a baby will affect your life greatly from here on out, especially when it comes to school, but it won't destroy your life. babies are blessings, i love my daughter more than i thought was possible! and i just finished my first year of college (i'm 25 i got a late start!). if you need any advice or just someone to blow off steam to, please feel free to contact me. i'm a very good listener (and i've been known to give some good advice here and there!) don't stress yourself out too much, there are a lot of opportunities still available to you these days; when i was 17 it was very different. just make sure you tell your mom. she may be disappointed at first, but that's normal because the only thing she wants (i'm assuming) is for you to succeed in life and be happy. and you can still do that! good luck and congratulations!!

Answer 8

Well good for you! You are going into this with a positive attitude and goals, and that is the best thing to do. I dont' think you are going to be able to hide the fact that you are pregnant for very long, especially if you have a small body. So you may eventually have to tell people. But who cares?! You're doing the right thing for yourself and your baby.... and whether people want to admitt that or not, that is something you have to have respect for!! And I know you're dreading telling your parents... but you'll have to do it sooner or later. And telling them your plans to stay in school and continue your education will make them proud. Good luck to you!

Answer 9

Ive been there before but 4 me it was alot worse i was a single mother at 14 i thought my world had come to an end.but things didn't turn out to be like i thought they would. yes my parents were very disappointed but they didn't turn their back on me.they gave me all their support and I'm sure urs will to so talk to them. the longer u avoid the situation the harder it will be.i had another baby at 16. i finished high school and went on to community college.so u CAN show them fools that their wrong about teen pregnancies.as 4 ur bf hes probably stress out himself and trying to avoid the subject. try calling a teen pregnancy hot line if u need to talk to some one or need advice!!BEST OF LUCK TO U

Answer 10

let me just say, dont listen to anything 'Nicole' has to say. GOOD FOR YOU. you are being a big girl and taking responsibility for your actions. Why do you feel like you have to drop out just because you are pregnant? a baby is a blessing and dont ever let anyone tell you different, yes it is early but what are you going to do its done and over with so now you are dealing with the it. Continue to go to school finish high school and go to college. Get yourself a good job and go to school and just provide for that baby. Its going to be tough but you will be able to do it. Trust me you wont be going at it alone, you will have your family and friends hopefully your mother. I have a friend who had 2 babies by the time she was 18 she finished college at 20 and is on her way to law school, she did it alone, no help no father. You can do it to. just be strong!. OoO and congrats!