quick clicks

pregnancy today articles

pregnancy today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Alone

Facing an Unexpected Pregnancy Without a Partner

By Deborah C. Harding

As Lisa's pregnancy progressed, she found it difficult to keep up at school. Fortunately, the school has a program for unwed mothers, providing a nursery and parental training. Guidance counselors work with the girls and make sure they get training so that they can get a job. They help them find day care for their babies and give them training to manage money. There is also a strong support group of girls that are pregnant or have been pregnant while in school. Without these groups and the friends Lisa has made, she says she doesn't know if she would make it through the pregnancy.

"Get involved in support groups at your school or in your town," Lisa says. "They will help you get the information you need concerning the future and your life alone with your baby. I think I'll be OK because of the things I'm learning."

Cindi is a happily-married mother of three children. Her first was born out of wedlock when she was in her freshman year of college, derailing her plans to become a journalist. She was even more devastated when the father of the baby informed her that he wanted nothing to do with the child. So she turned to a support system -- her parents -- and lived with them before the baby came and for a time after.

Cindi worried about how she would support a child on her own with no college education. She dropped out of college and planned to get a job after the baby was born. She knew her mother would watch the baby occasionally, but she also knew she would have to find daycare while she worked. Without a college degree, she wouldn't find a job that paid well and she knew her check would eaten up by dacare costs. During her pregnancy she was depressed; there was no joy in having the baby alone. The first time she experienced any excitement was after her daughter was born. Once she saw the baby, she says she knew she had made the right decision to keep her.

Want to see more?

• How Will You Know You're Pregnant?
• Who Will Attend Your Baby's Birth?
• Pregnant and Single discussion board

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.