For a teenager, finding out that your girlfriend is pregnant is a scary experience. Many teen dads have questions about the pregnancy that they may be too ashamed to ask. It is, however, important for the teen dad to understand what his girlfriend is going through so he can support her and help her through the pregnancy.
Time Frame
Pregnancy actually starts when the girl has her last menstrual cycle (period), which is approximately 2 weeks before the girl becomes pregnant. From the date of her last period, the pregnancy will last around 40 weeks. This time is divided into three periods called trimesters. The first trimester lasts from the beginning of the pregnancy through week 12; the second lasts from the beginning of week 13 through the end of week 26; the third lasts from the beginning of week 27 until the end of the pregnancy.
Doctor Appointments
Your girlfriend will see the doctor once per month at the beginning of the pregnancy. As she moves toward her due date, she will see the doctor more often. Usually, the month before her due date, she will see the doctor weekly. If, however, your girlfriend is considered a high-risk pregnancy because of her medical history, size, age or complications with the pregnancy, she will see the doctor more often than normal throughout the pregnancy. She may also have at least one ultrasound during the pregnancy to check on the baby's size and health. Keeping all of these visits is important because they can help to minimize the risk of problems or complications with your girlfriend and the baby.
Symptoms
While she is pregnant, your girlfriend won't have her normal menstrual cycle or period. Another symptom of pregnancy is morning sickness, which is nausea and vomiting that can occur at any time. This is most common in the first trimester. Fatigue, breast tenderness, food cravings, aches and pains and headaches are also symptoms of pregnancy.
Considerations
You will have to tell your parents about your girlfriend's pregnancy, and she will have to tell hers. This may be difficult. Telling another trusted adult may help to make it easier to tell your parents and hers. There is a chance that one set of parents, or both, will be unwilling to deal with the news and may decide that you or your girlfriend must move out. Think about alternative living arrangements prior to telling the parents. Sex, Etc. recommends telling both sets of parents at the same time so that you, your girlfriend and all of the parents can make a game plan together regarding the pregnancy and baby.
Choices
You and your girlfriend will have to decide what to do about the pregnancy and baby. You have three options: raise the baby yourself, put the baby up for adoption or have an abortion. The decision won't be easy, and no matter what you decide, your life will be changed. Your parents will more than likely have an important role in your decision-making process. Because of the severity of this decision, it is important that you make sure that you are totally comfortable with the choice you and your girlfriend make.
Support
Your girlfriend will need your support throughout the pregnancy. You will likely need her support. Both of you may also want to try to get support through an agency that specializes in teen pregnancies, especially if your parents aren't supportive. Talk to your school's guidance counselor about the situation. She may be able to help you find resources to help you through this difficult time.
Prevention
The only way to prevent your girlfriend from becoming pregnant is to abstain from sex. If you are unable to do that, using a barrier method of birth control is advisable, even if she is on the birth control pill, shot or patch. Forgetting to take a pill, getting a shot too late or forgetting to change a patch can result in an unwanted pregnancy.
