Teenage Pregnancy
Keeping
the baby
What happens
if I decide to keep the baby?
First, see
a GP who will organise maternity care for you, tell
you what to expect, what you should be eating and
what check ups you need to go for.
If you are bringing
up the baby on your own and need somewhere to live,
you need to contact social services, (your GP may
be able to do this for you). Social services will
be able to give you advice about benefits that you
may be entitled to.
Specific organisations
exist to help single parents (see the help & advice
section).
Having the baby
adopted
What
happens if I put the baby up for adoption?
First,
contact your local social services department (your
GP will be able to help you).
You cannot arrange
the adoption yourself unless your child is to be adopted
by a close relative.
When
does the adoption process begin?
Social
services will work with approved adoption agencies
to arrange preparation for adoption before your child
is born, but nothing will be definitely arranged until
after the birth. You will be completely free to change
your mind.
The social worker
will discuss with you the kind of family you want
your child to grow up in and will usually tell you
quite a lot about the family that is likely to become
the baby’s new parents.
You should talk
to the social worker about the possibility of meeting
the family, if you want to, or about other sorts of
contact you could have in the future.
When
does the adoption process become legal?
Although social workers arrange adoptions, they are
made legally binding by the courts.
The
court will make sure that you are definite about your
decision to put your baby up for adoption and that
the baby’s new home is the right environment for him/her
to grow up in.
The adoption is
usually made legal three months after the birth of
the child.
What
if I change my mind?
Everyone
recognises that putting a child up for adoption is
a very big step for a mother so you have at least
six weeks after the birth before you need to give
your final agreement in writing to the court.
When the adoption
order has been agreed by the court you will no longer
have any legal relationship with or responsibilities
for your child.
Is
adoption the same as fostering?
No, adoption means
legally giving up responsibility for your child. Fostering
means that another set of parents will temporarily
look after your baby but that you will remain the
legal guardian and hopefully be in a position to care
for your child in the future.
The same people
who organise adoption can help you with fostering.
If, for whatever reason, you cannot look after your
baby, social services will arrange temporary fostering
and will try to work with you to reunite you with
your child. Making a decision about adoption or fostering
is a big one and you should feel able to take time
to make the right decision for you and speak to organisations
and people who can help you make up your mind.
For more help and
advice on adoption contact:
The British Agencies
for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
11 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RQ
Tel: 0207 593 2000
Abortion: ending
the pregnancy
What happens if I decide to have an abortion?
Firstly, see your GP, MSI or Brook for information
about the type of abortion available to you.
You could also
ask to see a counsellor at the clinic as they will
go through the feelings you may have before and after.
Their aim is to
help you cope with what you are going through and
help you make the right decision. Both the doctor
and the counsellor will discuss if you want your parents
to know about your abortion.
While you can give
consent (agree to an abortion) under 16, a doctor
will only give the go ahead if s/he believes you understand
what's involved.
Even if a doctor
agrees, they may still encourage you to involve a
parent (though they will not go behind your back and
tell your parents).
Who
can I take with me?
Lots
of women prefer to go with someone to support them.
You can take anyone, from a friend, a relative, or
a parent to a boyfriend or a brother or sister.
Abortion options:
What kind of abortion are there?
What kind of abortion you have very much
depends on:
how many weeks
pregnant you are
whether or not
you want a general anaesthetic (without one you will
be awake during the procedure)
whether or not
you are suitable for a medical abortion (you will
be given pills to end your pregnancy).
The earlier you
go for help the more options are available so don’t
put off seeking advice.
Remember, you have
choices so make sure that all options are clearly
explained to you by the nurse/doctor and don’t be
afraid to ask questions.
What
happens afterwards?
After
you have ended your pregnancy you will probably feel
cramps very like your period cramps, and experience
some bleeding which can last up to 14 days.
The nurses will
tell you what to expect, and how to look after
yourself. They will also make you a follow up appointment
to make sure there are no problems.
Finally, a doctor
will also discuss having sex again. While this may
be the last thing on your mind, you need to know how
long to wait after your abortion and what contraception
to use. If you want to talk to someone after your
abortion most hospitals and organisations like MSI
offer post-abortion counselling.
