What Do I Need to Know if I Am Pregnant in High School?

What Do I Need to Know if I Am Pregnant in High School?

High school is often full of challenges. Navigating new relationships, balancing school with part-time jobs…there’s much to consider.

If you’ve recently learned you’re pregnant, this situation likely makes high school seem even more overwhelming. But there is hope; you don’t have to begin this journey alone.

Protecting Your Health

Confirming your pregnancy with medical-grade pregnancy testing is vital. Sometimes, at-home tests can provide false results. With a confirmed result, you can move forward.

After you’ve confirmed your pregnancy, there’s much to do. Try to take a deep breath and remember that help is available.

Verifying key pregnancy details with an ultrasound helps forge a path ahead. Ultrasound provides information on your pregnancy’s viability (whether the pregnancy is progressing normally and has a heartbeat), gestational age (how far along you are), and location.

Regardless of your intended pregnancy decision, you need this information. Ultrasound tells you whether you’ve had a miscarriage or are having an ectopic pregnancy.

With a miscarriage, your pregnancy has ended, and it no longer has a heartbeat. You may require miscarriage management treatment to prevent infection and other complications.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in a location outside the uterus. This condition is hazardous to your health and requires immediate medical care.

When you arm yourself with the facts, you can tackle the next steps of speaking to loved ones and making a decision.

What Should I Consider While In High School?

While an unexpected pregnancy is overwhelming for anyone, experiencing one in high school can create more problems. You may worry about teachers’ and classmates’ reactions at school.

Knowing your rights while in school is critical. You have the right to continue your education and cannot be discriminated against due to pregnancy or childbirth.

Your loved ones may have mixed opinions about your pregnancy. For example, your parents could feel disappointed, worried, or angry. They are likely concerned about your future, so giving them time to process the news will be helpful.

Sharing the news with a partner can provoke similar emotions. Provide the space they need and remember that negative reactions can come from a place of fear or anxiety. With anyone in your life, know you don’t have to share your pregnancy news if you feel unsafe.

Navigating Your Options

Learning your options can feel intimidating, but resources are available.

Abortion is a major medical decision with short-term and long-term consequences. In New York, abortion is legal through 24 weeks gestation. After this time, it is legal only if the fetus isn’t viable or a provider deems your health is at risk.

Parenting and adoption can pose unique challenges when you’re in high school. Parenting, while possible, requires special resources and a robust support system. Adoption involves forming an adoption plan and making choices regarding your child and a chosen family.

It’s normal to feel anxious or uncertain about these options. It’s your pregnancy decision to make, and no one has the right to remove that choice from you.

Free, Confidential Medical Services

While we supply accurate information on all procedures, we do not refer for or provide abortions. Soundview offers access to medical services through our onsite independent medical professionals, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and options education.