Adolescent pregnancy

I’m a teenager and I’m pregnant. What do I do?

If your pregnancy is unintended you have the choice of keeping the baby, putting the baby up for adoption, or having an abortion. This decision is a difficult one and there is no right or wrong choice. You need to do what is right for you, in your situation, at this time. See the resources below for help with abortion or adoption services.

I’ve decided to keep the baby, so now what?

If you choose to keep the baby, getting prenatal care early is important for your wellbeing and your baby’s. Start by seeing your family doctor or other trusted health professional. You will have all the same medical care as any other pregnant woman. Routine tests like bloodwork, ultrasounds, screening for infections and diabetes will be an important part of your care. You will need to eat well, take a prenatal multivitamin containing folic acid every day, and avoid alcohol and other substances. The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) offers prenatal programming for teenagers. You can check in the directory to see if there is a program in your community. There may be other drop-in centres or support groups in your area – your health care provider can help you access these. Here are some other important things to consider:

Keep going to school. Having a structured daily routine, seeing your friends, and finding support people will help you stay mentally strong through your pregnancy.

Involve the baby’s father (or your current partner). It will be easier if you can share the responsibility of the future parenting of your baby.

Find other pregnant teens. Gathering up a support group of peers that are going through the same thing you are can be very helpful. You will feel less isolated and better understood.

Plan your birth control. After the baby is born, you need to consider which method you will prefer.

Find child care. Many communities have subsidized day care programs to help teenage parents continue their schooling.