An unplanned pregnancy can be scary, especially when you’re young. A lot of girls avoid asking their parents for help but and due to limited access to accurate information, they tend to make harmful and uninformed decisions that can put their health and the pregnancy at risk. If you or someone you know has an unplanned pregnancy and want to know what your options are, here’s some information.

I’m pregnant, what now?

While falling pregnant unexpectedly is scary and unpleasant, it’s not the end for you. You actually have a few options that you can consider.

Become a parent – You can decide to carry to term and raise the child. I understand that this decision is scary because you have to tell your parents or guardians about your pregnancy, but you need all the support you can get at this time and your parents have the knowledge to help you through it.

While speaking to your parents and/or your partner may be scary, it’s a good idea to do this early on. Keeping your pregnancy a secret is not only risky for your health and that of your unborn child, but it can also weigh on you emotionally. Sit down with your loved ones and explain the situation to them. You can also ask a third-party that you trust to be there with you if you’re afraid to do it alone. If you’re a teen mom looking for support, have a look at this.

Adoption – Another option for you is carrying your baby to term and giving it up for adoption. The adoption process can go through adoption services where other people or someone you know personally (a relative) can care for and raise your baby as their own. For more information on the adoption process and how to go about it the right way, check out this website.

Safe termination  – If you’re early in your pregnancy and feel you are not ready to go through the process of pregnancy or adoption, then termination is an option. Every woman has the right to choose whether they would like to become a mother or not, but it’s important to make sure that you choose a safe abortion. Clinics like Marie Stopes as well as some government hospitals offer legal, safe and clean pregnancy termination methods.

While this option is available to you, remember that you can only terminate your pregnancy if you are less than 13 weeks pregnant. It’s important to speak to a counsellor, parent, your partner or someone you trust before making this decision so that you are sure that it’s the best one for you. Not all affordable abortion clinics are safe, so it’s important to make sure you do your research beforehand. You can reach out to me if you are unsure.

Which option is best for me?

Deciding what to do with an unplanned pregnancy can be really difficult. Your options should always be based on your personal needs such as family, relationships, finances, education and career goals, safety and personal beliefs and values. Ask yourself the following questions when deciding on an option:

• How will this decision affect my future?
• Am I ready to go through pregnancy and child birth?
• Am I ready to raise a child?
• Do I have strong personal beliefs about parenting, adoption and abortion?
• Is this my decision or someone else’s?
• Will my loved ones support my decision?

There’s no right or wrong way to answer these questions because they should be based on your personal needs. It’s okay to experience different emotions while deciding on each option but it helps to lean on someone you trust to help you.

Who can I talk to about these options?

It’s always best to involve people you love and trust when you make this decision. If there isn’t anyone you’re comfortable making this decision with, you can talk to me on Ask Choma and read my articles on sex and pregnancy. You can also reach out to the Lifeline Pregnancy Centre or for support and  get advice from their Facebook group. Another option is  Crossroads, which is an organisation that offers pregnancy crisis counselling services to help young women make a decision that suits their needs; as well as Mamkhulu – a project that helps vulnerable young women, orphaned children and caregivers.

Remember whatever decision you make is 100% your choice. You have the right to decide what happens to your body and you should be able to make an informed decision that makes you happy. Keep in mind that you don’t have to be alone in the decision-making process, I’m here for you.

Remember if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).