It can be surprising and sometimes difficult to realize an unexpected pregnancy, but this can double if you’re still in your teenage years. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to recognize that you have nothing to feel ashamed about, and certainly nothing to hide. Doing so, and withdrawing from others, can only lead to emotional turmoil with the assumption that you’ve made a huge mistake.

Of course, how you choose to proceed from here is entirely your choice and one you should be able to make, but depending on your personal situation it’s not always clear where you should begin. It can feel incredibly isolating to be in a circumstance like this, but help is available, and you should never be afraid to read out for it.

Consider some of the following advice:

Immediately Tell Someone You Trust

It’s tempting to hide this away until you figure out what to do, but confiding in a trusted person can help you avoid bottling up the stress and help you avoid feeling so alone. Just consider who you trust to keep the information safe and offer good advice, for example, this could be a parent, sibling, close friend, or school teacher. Sharing the news can help alleviate some of your worries and help you realize that you haven’t done anything wrong. A trusted connection might offer perspective or assistance in navigating the situation, such as a teacher who is willing to stand by you throughout it all. They could help in considering various options or accompany you to appointments. Having that safety blanket there can feel so much more comforting.

Visit Your Doctor

A doctor isn’t there to out or judge you, but rather to check your health and make sure everything is functioning as it should. They can confirm what's happening and check that everything's okay health-wise. Doctors have seen it all before, so there's no need to feel embarrassed. They'll explain what's happening and talk about the different paths forward. Everything stays between the patient and doctor too, so no worries about others finding out. That might involve learning about pregnancy care or discussing other options, getting medical advice early on is going to help you in untold ways, and you’ll feel safer with that kind of support.

Use A Support Organization

There are groups out there, such as the best teenage pregnancy support organization, which exists just to help in situations like this. They boast many years of experience and will have specific, circumstance-based information and advice to help you. These places often offer free chats with counselors, details on all the options, and sometimes even practical routes like help with school or housing. It can be a relief to talk to people who really get it, especially if you can’t find that from your family or even friends. Some organizations even run groups where teens in similar boats can meet up. That doesn’t mean you’re going to be dictated to, only warmly encouraged at a time when you feel at a loss.

With this advice, we hope you can cope with this unexpected life experience and find a better tomorrow, knowing that it was never you failing to go through it in the first place.