Teenage pregnancy – information for young people at school
Emergency contraception
If you’ve had sex within the last couple of days, and you think you might be pregnant, you may be able to get emergency contraception (the ‘morning after pill’) if you contact your doctor, a sexual health clinic or family planning clinic urgently. If you’re over 16, you can buy emergency contraception from a chemist, though you will have to pay for it.
Getting a pregnancy test
Your doctor, young person’s clinic or youth advice centre will be able to arrange this for you free of charge. The school nurse may also be able to help. You can buy a pregnancy test from a pharmacy or the bigger supermarkets, but you will have to pay about £8–12.
Your right to privacy
Your visit will be in confidence and they will not tell your parents or teachers that you have been there or the results of the test unless you ask them to.
Doctors, nurses and other health workers are obliged by law to give you the same right to privacy and confidentiality as adults, even if you are under 16.
They will only pass on information about your visit if they think you are in danger – even then they should discuss this with you first.
You can find out more about your right to receive confidential advice from the Brook website.
My test is positive – what should I do?
Tell your parents! If you are worried about this, speak to a teacher or an adult you trust, and ask them for help. Naturally, some parents will be upset or angry at first, but most soon get over this and will do their best to help you.
It’s rare for parents to feel so strongly that they will not support you in any way. But if this happens, your teacher, personal adviser or youth worker will be able to put you in touch with someone who can help.
Don’t tell the whole class
It may not be a good idea to tell too many of your friends or classmates at this time especially if you are thinking about having an abortion. Some people have very strong views on this and may not be very kind to you.
I’m not sure if I want to keep the baby
This is a decision only you can make. Your family, friends, the baby’s father or his family may want to influence what you do, but the final decision is yours.
If you are thinking about having an abortion, you can get independent advice and information from your doctor, school nurse, clinic or advice centre. You can get advice online or over the phone from:
It is best if abortions are carried out as early in the pregnancy as possible and if it has been more than 12 weeks since your last period, it may be difficult or even impossible to arrange.
Adoption
If you want to go through with the pregnancy but are thinking about having the baby adopted you will need to talk to a social worker before the baby is born. To find out more, read our page on putting your child up for adoption.
Will my boyfriend get into trouble?
This depends on several things. Your boyfriend is much more likely to get into trouble if you are under 16 and he is much older than you are, or if he forced you or tricked you into having sex with him. If your boyfriend is close to your age, you have been with him for some time and your family accepts him, he is less likely to get into trouble. The Family Planning Association has a useful page about UK law relating to sexual behaviour.
I have decided to keep the baby. What next?
You will need to see your doctor or a midwife. He or she will confirm the pregnancy and will be able to tell you when the baby is due. They will also arrange for you to see a midwife and maybe to have a scan at the hospital. It is important for you and your baby that you keep any appointments arranged for you during your pregnancy. Smoking and drinking alcohol can be very bad for your baby’s development and health as can any kind of drug. It is best to check with the doctor or midwife before taking medicines of any kind.
Will I still have to go to school?
You will still be expected to go to school up to the normal school leaving age (end of Year 11) both during your pregnancy and after the birth of your baby.
You will need to tell a senior teacher as soon as possible to plan for your education during your pregnancy. They can look at any problems or difficulties you are having and see if there are ways they can make your time at school during the pregnancy any easier.
It may be possible to alter or reduce your timetable as you get further into your pregnancy and you will probably get some home tuition for the few weeks just before and just after the baby is born.
You will be allowed to take time off for any hospital and doctors appointments, but if you are not well enough to attend school for more than a few days because of the pregnancy, you will need to get a note from your doctor or midwife.
Am I entitled to any financial help?
Help with childcare
Funding up to the value of £160 per week is available, up to age 20, to enable young parents to continue their education at school and if they go on to college. Contact the Reintegration Officer (below) for details or apply online at Care to Learn.
If you stay in education you may be entitled to claim up to £30 per week Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Find out more on the EMA page on the Directgov website.
Benefits
Young parents can claim various sources of financial help, including child benefit when the child is born. For more help, visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website: CAB – advice for parents aged under 16.
Who can I talk to for more advice?
The education department has a worker who will work with you, your parents and the school to make sure you get all the help you need to complete your education. These people are known as Pregnancy Reintegration Officers.
