What do I Need to Know if I am Pregnant and in High School?

The realization that you’re pregnant in high school can feel overwhelming and unexpected, leaving you with a mix of emotions such as fear, anxiety, and even anger.

The best way to overcome those feelings is to take the steps you need to get answers about your pregnancy and have the information you need to make the best decision for your health.

1.Confirm Your Pregnancy

The first step is to make sure that you really are pregnant. While at-home pregnancy tests are usually very accurate there is a small percentage of women who will get a false positive if the test is taken incorrectly or at the wrong time.

That’s why it’s best to eliminate any doubts and confirm your pregnancy with a highly accurate lab-quality pregnancy test that is available at many women’s health clinics—some clinics, like Salem Pregnancy Care Center, offer these tests free of charge.

The Importance of an Ultrasound

The next essential step in verifying your pregnancy is an ultrasound. An ultrasound scan confirms the viability of your pregnancy, determines the age of your pregnancy, and verifies if it’s growing properly within the uterus.

If you are contemplating abortion, an ultrasound is crucial, as knowing the age of your pregnancy will determine what type of abortion procedures are appropriate for you.

The ultrasound will also identify any potential complications like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, which may necessitate alternative medical interventions.

2.Consider All Your Alternatives

If you think you’re pregnant there are probably a million questions swirling in your head like, “Can I complete high school while raising a child?”, “Who will provide financial support?”, and “How does abortion work?”. Even though you feel overwhelmed, it’s very normal to have these concerns.

The staff at Salem Pregnancy Care Center knows how scary an unplanned pregnancy can be and can talk with you about all the options available to you and listen to any questions and concerns you might have.

Ultimately, the decision on how to handle your pregnancy is up to you, and the choice you make will have a significant impact on your life. That’s why it’s essential to be well-informed about all your options before making a final decision. It’s your body and your future so you deserve to know the facts.

Understanding Abortion Risks

There are two kinds of abortion: medical abortion and surgical abortion, both of which have documented physical risks you need to be aware of.

Common risks associated with medical abortion include infection, incomplete abortion (which may necessitate a subsequent surgical abortion), heavy or prolonged bleeding, fever, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Surgical abortion risks include infection, cervical damage, uterine perforation, excessive bleeding, uterine scarring, and more.

Additionally, research has discovered a link between abortion and mental health issues, so understanding those risks is also important to protecting your health.

3.Get the Help You Need

We recognize that the stakes might seem high in your current situation. Our team is here to understand your story and support you through this challenging time.

From our free and confidential pregnancy test and limited obstetrical ultrasound scan to discussing your options, we are ready to help you get the facts you need to empower you to make the best decision for yourself.