If you suspect you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test. Don't put it off, because knowing you're pregnant is vital to your health and gives you the most options if you're not sure you want to be a parent. Some symptoms of pregnancy include a missed menstrual period, fatigue, breast tenderness, mood swings, and nausea. When you first discover you are pregnant, you should tell someone that you trust and who will support you.
2
Telling your parents about the pregnancy can be a difficult thing to do, especially if they didn't know you were sexually active. Figure out the best way to do this (see external link).
3
Support:If both or one of your parents support you, that is wonderful, as they have experience and can guide you through parenting. If the father of your baby supports you, that, too, could be wonderful, as he could willingly help you by taking you to appointments, paying for baby stuff, being emotionally supportive, and so much more. If you don't find support, tell people you trust until you find people who will support you. If no one knows or supports you, you could be going through this alone.
4
Apply for Medicaid and WIC to cover your medical expenses, food and living expenses if necessary. Oftentimes, there is support for young women, and it can help you to find jobs, finish high school, and go to a vocational school or college.
5
Take a parenting course (see external link).
6
Find a place to stay. If your parents don't support you, or are giving you an ultimatum to do their wishes or move, and your boyfriend is not supportive, see if you can find a relative, friend, or anyone who has your best interests. If you don't have support from friends or family, seek support groups who are in similar situations.
7
Get advice. If you're afraid of having a baby, consult an elder, nurse, doctor or midwife. Ask them what to expect.
8
Save money. Be thrifty in what you buy. There are oftentimes places where you can buy stuff for you and your baby very cheaply, such as yard sales and thrift stores.
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TIPS AND WARNINGS
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If your boyfriend is abusive you should ask him to get counseling. If he is not willing to do so, you may need to remove yourself and your baby away from him.
Consider and keep your options open. Look at the pros and cons of all of your options and choose the one that's right for you, such as your finacial situation and support circle. Life can throw unexpected things at you. Always prepare, and have a back-up plan.
Check MySpace, yahoo and other groups, there are young mother support groups online.
If the father doesn't want to be involved, you can still collect child support.
If your parents are forcing you to choose an option you aren't comfortable with, consider becoming emancipated
When a baby is left alone or is left without his mother for a long time, a baby will go through three stages: protest, despair, and detachment. (See online parenting class, Chapter 3: Separation)
This is just a theory put forward by the developmental psychologist John Bowlby. Theory is an important word here as it means that it has not been definitively proven to be the case. Although the theory had a lot of support in the 1950s, Bowlby's research had many flaws in that it relied on retrospective evidence, did not consider the degree of separation, and did not consider the differences between privation and deprivation. Therefore there is good reason to hae a certain ammount of doubt about this theory.