Teen Pregnancy

If a teenager discloses to you that she is pregnant it is important to listen to her and not pass judgment. She is probably already scared, emotional, and confused about what to do. You should encourage her to speak with her parents and the father about being pregnant and what she is going to do. Let her know that she should not make any big decisions without talking to someone first.

There are many ways to go about telling everyone you are a pregnant teen. Planning what to say and keeping calm will help in the process. Some steps you could follow are:

• Talk to the father-to-be, and discuss your options.
• If you are nervous to tell your parents alone, confide in a counselor or someone you are close to who could help you tell your parents. Practice what you will say to your parents with them.
• Tell your parents. This will be hard and you may be nervous because you don’t know how they will react. Sit down with them and explain the situation. Give them time to process the news. Share with them your plans, for example, finishing school, getting a job, living arrangements, etc. If you don’t have a solid plan, ask them for help! They will most likely be upset and disappointed but it is important to keep open communication, and always do what is best for you.

If a young girl disclosed to me she is pregnant I would reassure her that she is not alone in this. I would stress the importance of getting help, and staying focused on what she needs to do. I would also encourage her to speak with her parents as they will most likely be her biggest support system.

Reference:
Alviti, S. (2007), “How to Tell Your Parents You Are a Pregnant Teenager”.
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