Teen Pregnancy

A WebQuest for high school pregnancy group
Designed by Vicki Griffin
vkgriffi@mpsomaha.org

[Introduction] [The Task] [Process] [Conclusion] [Credits]

Introduction

Just find out you were pregnant? Feel like you're in a terrible dream and can't wake up? If only you could go back to that night... How many things have you promised to change or give up if only it wasn't true? Hopefully things inside your head have settled down and you've had a chance to breathe. You've talked with your parents by now, I hope. Now what?

The Task

You will be gathering information on the options you have as a pregnant teen. You will be given questions to help you look for different pieces of information that will help you in your decision. When you are finished with this WebQuest you will be able to intelligently talk about the different options a pregnant teenager has and use this information in making YOUR important decision.

The Process

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, thinking about anything else may seem impossible. Decisions have to be made though. The decisions you make now effect your future and need to be made with a lot of thought and using accurate information. So, what will you do concerning your pregancy? You have some choices. Will you terminate the pregnancy through abortion or continue the pregnancy? If your decision is to continue your pregnancy, you have four immediate choices: raise the child as a single parent, get married and raise the baby as a couple, have your parents raise the child, or place the baby for adoption.

Take plenty of time to weigh all the options before you make a decision. Here are five steps to help you make this decision:

1) Make a list of all the possible choices you have.

2) Ask yourself questions like these:

• What do I want to do in the future?
  
• What am I good at? What talents do I have?
  
• What job skills do I have right now?
  
• Do I want to have a career or just work to pay bills?
  
• Do I want to go to college?
  
• How long will it take to receive a college degree?
  
• Can I rely on another person to support me?
  
• If I have to accept public assistance, do I feel comfortable with this?
  
• How do I feel about abortion now?
  
• If I choose abortion, how might that affect my self-esteem in the future?
  
• Is my decision one that I can feel comfortable about sharing with my parents and friends?
  
• Would someone close to me be against my choice of abortion, adoption or parenting? How would I deal with this?
  
• What are my feelings about adoption?
  
• If I choose adoption, what qualities would I want the adoptive parents to have?
  
• How much contact would I want to have with the adoptive family in the future?
  
• Do I want to be a parent now?
  
• Am I ready to take care of a baby 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
  
• How will this affect my social life and my relationship with my friends?
  
• If I keep the baby, where will we live?
  
• How does the father of the baby feel about the pregnancy?
  
• Will I be raising my child alone?
  
• How will I support myself and my child?
  

 3) Learn everything you can about your choices to help you explore the positive and negative points about each choice. Ask people you trust to help you see all sides of each choice.

The decision you have to make about your pregnancy is a very personal one. Getting support and advice from others may be very helpful in looking at every aspect of each choice, but don't let anyone pressure you into making a decision that you're not comfortable with.

Look at the following sites for some helpful information you may want to consider while making your decision. Print off any of the information that you think you might want to look back at at a later time.

Alternatives to Parenthood-Look at options such as abortion and adoption.

Unplanned Pregnancy Guide-Learn the various options of dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, including keeping the baby, adoption and abortion.

Unplanned Pregnancy-A look at four choices-adoption, abortion, parenting, foster care.

Pregnancy Choices: Raising the Baby, Adoption and Abortion

4) Put your choices in order from most favorable to least favorable.

5) Explore your feelings and listen to your heart.

The decision you have to make about your pregnancy is a very personal one. Whatever choice you make, it is very important to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Waiting to "think about that tomorrow" may be tempting. But when tomorrow comes, you will be much happier if you have a plan to help you through this time in your life. Get as much sound information as you can. Talk to people that you trust. It can be important to have unbiased support when making this decision. Give yourself time to sort through all of your information, just don't put off your decision too long. Remember, this is your decision to make, not your friends' or family's.

Issues that should be considered are:

The impact of all options on your life, both now and in the future.

Your relationships with other people involved e.g. partner, parents, family, and friends.

Your own personal beliefs and values.

Questions taken from Crisis Pregnancy