Maybe you have plans to go to college or go to trade school. Maybe you plan to take a gap year. Maybe you’re just trying to get through the next test in biology class.
But what happens when you find out you’re pregnant? You may be asking yourself:
“How will I be able to manage school while pregnant?”
“What will my friends think of me?”
“Can I still achieve my dreams?”
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Take a breath. This wasn’t your plan. But sometimes different plans can still be good. Your goals and plans don’t have to be left behind.
You can absolutely finish high school while pregnant. You can become a better version of yourself even as a parent.
Here are some next steps to take and a few ideas of what this journey might look like for you.
What to do if you’re pregnant and in high school?
Understand Your Rights as a Pregnant Student
Federal law prohibits discrimination of pregnancy or parental status in education. This means your school is required to make accommodations for you. This might include adjustments to your schedule or assignments, frequent bathroom breaks, modified physical activities, or excused absences for medical appointments.
You have the right to an education free of harassment and sexual discrimination based on your pregnancy status. Your school counselor can walk you through your complete list of rights as a pregnant student.
Find Parenting-Student Resources
The traditional in-person high school experience is not the only option for graduation. Non-traditional high school alternatives might include taking online classes that offer more flexibility. Many online options can also help you prepare for college if you decide you want to take that next step in your academic career.
You can also choose to opt out of finishing high school by taking the General Education Development (GED) test. If you pass the GED, this is essentially the equivalency of a high school diploma without finishing out high school.
Organizations within your community can also offer helpful resources like medical care, housing options, financial help, and more.
Connect With Your School Counselor
Your school counselor will be able to direct you to the support services you need. They can help you build a personalized schedule and tailored plan to finish high school.
LifeSpring, located in Central Virginia, can also help you get connected to local organizations that can support you during this journey. Our client advocates are here to walk through this journey with you.
Find A Pregnancy Support Group
Going to school while pregnant is challenging. Life after pregnancy is also difficult when you’re the only one of your friends who is experiencing motherhood. It’s normal to feel different than everyone else. Your priorities are about to change and it can be isolating.
Finding other mothers who are going through similar struggles or are further down the road can be really encouraging. This is why it’s so important to find the right support group to lean on during this journey. A pregnancy support group is a great way to find women who are in a similar situation as you. In addition to connecting you with pregnancy support groups, we also offer pregnancy and infant resources.
Get Support You Can Trust
Sometimes the support you’re looking for is not from the people you would expect. Sometimes the people you expect to support you may not know how to help you.
Talking with a good listener can help you figure out what you need. When you have supportive people in your corner, it will feel like you have options. And then you can feel empowered to keep looking ahead toward the future and take the right steps to get there. At LifeSpring, we will listen to your concerns and help you find the support you need.
If you have questions about your rights or if you are having trouble getting what you need at school, make an appointment. We can provide resources to help you finish school. We also provide pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing and treatment, and options counseling at no cost.
When you choose to become a mother, you become more capable than you ever thought was possible. We are here to walk this journey with you.
You are not alone.