A positive pregnancy test changes the shape of a school year.
Alongside questions about your health and your future, you may be wondering how you will keep up with assignments, attend medical appointments, and stay on track for graduation.
Managing both is possible with accurate information and a workable plan. The steps below explain where to begin and what support is available, including the no-cost resources and assistance provided by LifeLine Pregnancy Center.
1. Confirm Where Your Pregnancy Stands
Building a plan to balance school and a pregnancy starts with getting the facts.
Your first step is to confirm your pregnancy. While at-home tests are usually very accurate, they can still give a misleading result.
Through our partnership with an on-site, independent medical clinic, LifeLine Pregnancy Center provides a pregnancy test at no cost.
If your test is positive, you may qualify for a limited ultrasound performed at the on-site medical clinic.
An ultrasound shows how far along you are, whether the pregnancy is inside the uterus, and whether a heartbeat is present.
2. Learn Your Rights as a Student
Title IX gives you rights and protects you as a pregnant and parenting student at any school that receives federal funding. Your school cannot remove you from classes, activities, or graduation because you are pregnant. Absences for pregnancy-related medical care must be excused, and you must be given the chance to make up missed work.
Meeting with your school counselor early gives you time to adjust your schedule around appointments and to plan for the weeks surrounding your due date.
3. Make Your Health the Priority
Your ability to focus in class depends on how well you care for your body.
The Mayo Clinic identifies early prenatal care as a priority for pregnant teens. Regular meals, drinking plenty of water, and prioritizing sleep also matter.
It’s also crucial to attend regular prenatal care appointments to support both your health and that of your pregnancy.
4. Put Practical Support in Place
Schoolwork is easier to manage when you have help preparing for what comes next.
Our BrightCourse© program helps you develop the skills you need during pregnancy and parenting. You will earn Baby Bucks with each lesson you complete and can redeem them in our Baby Boutique for clothes, diapers, and baby formula.
We Expect the Unexpected
LifeLine Pregnancy Center is here for you.
Our trained client advocates can help with questions and concerns about your next steps. With the right support, you can be successful during pregnancy and beyond.
Contact us today to schedule your no-cost, confidential appointment.
