Being pregnant

If you’re pregnant and you want to continue with your pregnancy, there is a lot of information and support that you’ll need to make sure you have a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth.

First steps: Your first step will be to talk to your GP or a sexual health clinic. They will help you book all the relevant apointments (for scans and so on) and give you advice and information on how stay healthy while you are pregnant.

You will get lots of information about being pregnant and being a parent from other organisations, but there are one or two things that we can tell you about here to start you off.

Staying healthy
You need to try and eat and drink healthily and if you are a smoker or take drugs, you should stop as soon as you discover you are pregnant. Your doctor will be able to give you advice about other things you should do to look after yourself while you are pregnant.

Midwife
A midwife is specially trained and will help you throughout your pregnancy and birth. You will meet your midwife early on in your pregnancy will have regular appointments with them to check on how you are getting on. In Bristol we have specialist teenage pregnancy midwives who can support you. Their contact details are:

Karen Fry (Southmead Hospital): 07747 455128
Kerrie Purdy (St.Michael’s Hospital): 07766 785984

Scans
You will have opportunities to have scans and check the health of your baby throughout the pregnancy. Your doctor or midwife will be able to give you more information.

Antenatal classes
Antenatal classes are run at your local hospital, birth centre or local community centre and they give you a chance to meet and share information with other parents. They are your opportunity to ask any questions you have about your pregnancy or the birth. Your midwife will tell you about them when you meet him/ her.

Sex
It’s fine for you to carry on having sex while you are pregnant, if you want to. But if you do, it’s still really important to continue using a condom to protect yourself, your partner and your baby, against STIs. You can find more information on STIs here.

Being pregnant at school
If you are still at school when you get pregnant, you are entitled to an education and allowed to stay on at school. In Bristol there is also The Meriton, a specialist school for pregnant or teenage parents.

Being pregnant at work
There are laws to protect you if you are working when you get pregnant and your company will have a policy about your rights to maternity leave. You will find more information on your rights at work here.

Being a young parent
Once the baby is born, you may find it helpful to think about the following things:

  • Is there anyone you know who will help out or babysit on a regular basis? How do they feel about doing this?
  • What sort of things would/could your parents or other adults you know do to help?
  • Is your partner feeling 100% ready to become a mum or dad? What help might they need?
  • It can also be helpful to think about things like finance and housing.

Support for young parents in Bristol.

There are lots of places that can help support you through your pregnany and once you become a mum or dad. Click here for information.

Extracts taken from Brook.org.uk

Safe Teenagers