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[.Experience.]

PostPosted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:35 am


So, I come to you all seeking a little advice;
My age is 18 (turning nineteen) and my boyfriend is 17 (going on eighteen). We have almost been dating two years. I use my birth control consistently and have never missed.
On June 13th I was rushed home from work ill in a cab; I had become a shaking vomiting mess and my boss wanted me to take the day off. My vomiting was not constant, every few days or so I would be in the shower and suddenly fall to me knees to vomit. I thought I had the flue, and when I tried to make an appointment I discovered my doctor is going on vacation for two months.
I’m not a good follower of my periods, because often they are irregular. But I do remember my last one, whenever that was, was very light.
Last week a little voice rang in my head telling me to take a test. It was positive. I couldn’t believe it, so I bought two more and again, both were positive.
I myself am completely open to the idea of having a child. I don't know if I'm 100% ready, but I know it is something that will change me to becoming ready. I have a solid savings, and make about 2000$ a month.
I do not believe in abortion, and don’t think I could handle the mental stress.
My boyfriend is devastated. He says things like "It's the worst mistake I ever made" "Our lives are ruined" He wants me to get an abortion... knowing I can't, when I get ill he is happy. He is praying to it to just go away. When I broke down and told him I was scarred of what he would think if I didn't get an abortion, he told me "It wont ruin my life; It will ruin the child's life."
I know I cant go through this without him by my side, but I am so lost with what to do, what steps to take; I am not even sure of how long I have been pregnant and I cannot get into a doctor. It scared me that my boyfriend does not know if he will stay or leave once it comes; I dont know what to say to him. Is this really something I should be ashamed of?
PostPosted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:36 am


Ultimately, it's your decision and frankly the guilty and pressure he is giving you is not part of a REAL loving relationship. This is why (I know it's a bit late now) it's important to talk about the whatifs in a relationship like this.

Why can't you get into a doctor? You need to get in ASAP, there are free clinics. As for "I can't go through this without him by my side" well, I hate to say it, but it sounds by his reaction and selfishness, you're going to have to. I think if anyone should be ashamed, honestly, it's him.

Being you've all ready made the decision to keep this baby, I would start the financial preparation. Regardless of what he wants, he's the baby's biological sperm donator (unless he decides he's going to be a man and step up and be a father) and he will have to provide for half of the medical bills and child support. Don't let something "but I love him" cloud logic because it doesn't seem to be working.

Since you've known for at least a month, I'm going to stress get to a doctor ASAP. I think it's been over a month, it's been plenty of time for him to adjust to the idea and really, by a normal menstral cycle, you're either close or past the standards for an abortion as it is.

lunashock


Nikolita
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:52 am


lunashock
Ultimately, it's your decision and frankly the guilty and pressure he is giving you is not part of a REAL loving relationship. This is why (I know it's a bit late now) it's important to talk about the whatifs in a relationship like this.

Why can't you get into a doctor? You need to get in ASAP, there are free clinics. As for "I can't go through this without him by my side" well, I hate to say it, but it sounds by his reaction and selfishness, you're going to have to. I think if anyone should be ashamed, honestly, it's him.

Being you've all ready made the decision to keep this baby, I would start the financial preparation. Regardless of what he wants, he's the baby's biological sperm donator (unless he decides he's going to be a man and step up and be a father) and he will have to provide for half of the medical bills and child support. Don't let something "but I love him" cloud logic because it doesn't seem to be working.

Since you've known for at least a month, I'm going to stress get to a doctor ASAP. I think it's been over a month, it's been plenty of time for him to adjust to the idea and really, by a normal menstral cycle, you're either close or past the standards for an abortion as it is.


Agreed. He is the one who should be ashamed, not you. Even with you taking your birth control perfectly, there was always a chance you'd get pregnant, and he should've known that. Otherwise he shouldn't have been having sex, if he wasn't ready to be a parent.

If you do decide to leave him, or if he decides to leave you because he doesn't want to be a parent, you can always go after him for child support if you need the money.

And Luna's right, you need to see a doctor asap, for both prenatal care and to see what your options are, in case you decide to get an abortion, etc. Try going to a local clinic or even a Planned Parenthood. If you don't know where the clinics are in your area, you can look in the phonebook or try looking them up online.

If you choose to go through with the pregnancy, there's also open and closed adoption to look at. There's information about it in this sticky about adoption (scroll down, it's listed in the first post), and this sticky as well (see post #4). The second sticky has information on abortion, adoption, and keeping the baby.

Other things to consider in deciding what to do are:
- How this will affect your schooling, and any future career plans.
- How this will affect your job. If you have the baby, will you still be able to make $2,000 a month?
- Do you have enough money to provide for the baby's needs and supplies? Can you afford the basics?
- Will you have your family's support if you decide to keep the baby? Will they help out financially? What will you do if they're not supportive of your decision?
PostPosted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:03 pm


Thank you all for your kind words;
I come again seeking more advice.

Shortly after my post here I told my boyfriend I would not be getting an abortion, that I was going to raise my baby. He instantly left me, and told me he never wanted to see me or the child again in his life.
My family has been 100% supportive and loving, making my experience with pregnancy a thrill, and my work has been a wonderful support as well; I have received a raise and now have another contract waiting for me when I finish maternity leave.

However, my EX has come to me begging me to put the baby up for adoption, saying "Everything would go back to normal" if I did. I told him I would not do that, that my baby would be brought up with mine and my family's love. A few days later he asked to meet me so I went. He handed me a letter and tried to leave, but I made him stay and say what he wanted to say.

He muttered a lot of nasty things, and told me that because of his mother's feelings towards me, he was going to leave me right after he forced me to abort or miscarry. I ended the conversation and returned home where me and my parents read the very nasty letter he had given to me.

I do not want this man in my life, and I don't want him to influence the coming little boy. He has told my friends I am a prostitute, and seems to get a kick out of spreading other nasty rumors too.

His mother has recently told my brother that my Ex doesn't say anything about me at home, ever, but she worries everyday and prays for my safety, and the health of the child; she has hinted that she might go for custody of it.

This woman tried to force me into abortion, told me I was pathetic because I dream of being a writer. She brings random men into her household, and has been dating a man for eight years who abuses her and her children.

I do not want my child to be dragged into that. I want to put "Father Unknown" on the birth certificate to prevent him from getting his hands on my baby. The only problem is the father's name is already in my medical records. Can anyone tell me if they use my records to get the name for the certificate, or can I still claim the father is unknown? And I know this sounds a little horrible, but if I tell my doctor I'm not sure if he is the father so it is stricken from my record, it will make me look like a whore, but would it not be for the best?

The father still does not want anything to do with the child, but his mother worries me very much, especially since she seems to love me, then hate me every other day.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this? My baby boy is due in a month, and I really need advice on how to handle this situation before then.

Thank you.

[.Experience.]


LorienLlewellyn

Quotable Informer

PostPosted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:36 pm


Wow. I am not really sure. I would guess that there is a good chance that you can tell the doctor you don't know who the father is so that he is not on there. I am not sure. You could ask your doctor more about it. Who cares how it looks? I am sure doctors see plenty of women who claim to not know who the father is. You certainly won't be the only one. And what would it matter if you were? This guy sounds like a weirdo, and I don't blame you one bit for not wanting him in the baby's life. I would take the risk of some people maybe thinking I was a whore to save my baby from an influence like that.
PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:18 pm


You have the option to put whatever you want on the birth certificate. You can give the baby your last name, and put 'Father Unknown' if you want.

However... if you put father unknown, you can't claim child support unless you do a DNA test to prove he's the father.
If you put father unknown, his mother can't get custody or rights unless SHE pays for a DNA test to prove he's the father.

So... do what you want. It would probably be better to have his name for child support rights, and then you can fight the court pretty easily over grandparent rights.

Good luck to you, and congrats for being smart enough to ditch the a*****e.

Where do you live? I could do a lot more research about laws and whatnot if I knew that. I want to help you out because I think you're doing the right thing, and I don't want this jerk or his mom to have any leverage over you or your coming son.

ETA: I just found out that in Massuchusetts (I'll see if others states follow the same law), the father has to willingly sign his name AS the father for it to be on the birth certificate (he would sign a form called a "Declaration of Paternity"). From what you said, I don't see that happening, so "father unknown" would be all YOU could do. That means, if you want to claim child support, you can file for paternity action in court to prove he is the father and hold him legally obligated. Also, if he signed, oddly enough the mother (since you're not married) automatically has custody rights unless a judge says otherwise.

However, that also means that his mother can't do anything if her son isn't willing to admit he's the father and sign it, or, like I said before, if she takes you to court and makes him take a paternal DNA test.

In Missouri, if you were to try to make him admit he's the father and he denied it, the state pays for a DNA test, and if it proves he's the dad, he has to reimburse the state.

Argh, okay, I'll stop looking until you tell me what state you're in, or this could get really weird. I don't even want to look at Arkansas laws, LOL.

Oh, but here's one thing that may be helpful:

Jamie is 16 years old. She just gave birth and wants to care for her child. Her boyfriend’s parents say that she is too young; they want to raise Jamie’s child themselves. They say they have rights because their son is the father. Can they take Jamie’s child from her?

!Unless Jamie’s boyfriend establishes paternity, his parents have no legal relationship to the child at all—they have no more rights than a stranger would.

Even if Jamie’s boyfriend has established paternity, his parents would have to go to court to ask for custody of the child. The judge would require his parents to show some extraordinary circumstance before even considering their request. Jamie’s age alone would not be an extraordinary circumstance.

That's from http://www.nyclu.org/rrp_rppt5.html
That's all about the rights of pregnant and parenting teens, which means it talks a lot about rights of unmarried folks.
Also, I researched to make sure, but it doesn't matter if your medical records state that he's the father. Unless he signs the right document, it doesn't matter what anything else says.

Savina


lunashock

PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:55 pm


On top of the great advice Savina posted, if you are concerned for you and your baby's safety, take out a protective order (I have a friend who does PI work and she told me these are much better than restraining orders).

In all honesty, it's best if you talk with a lawyer with all your options and so you can be fully armed with knowledge. I won't lie, it'll probably cost a pretty penny, but I can guarantee it will be well worth it. I don't see him signing away his parental rights because he and his mother seem utterly spiteful enough to not do it just to be cruel. However, varying on laws and proof, there ARE ways to avoid that. This does mean no child support as well.

For unmarried couples, it's actually harder to get the father's name put ON the birth certificate than have father unknown.
PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:47 pm


You need to get a lawyer or at least consult with one if you think he's serious. They can advise you of your rights and help you obtain any protective orders you might need (although you can definately do this part on your own, and like others said, I think you NEED to.) Then, if you want child support you'll have to take him to court, so his name needs to be on the birth certificate. I'd advise you to get sole custody of your son. Then, your ex and his family have no legal rights to take him away from you. You can go to court and fight the mother over custody. She might get some sort of visitation, but you seem to have a good job and supportive family, and a judge should see this. I have a friend who's going through a similar situation with the father of her child (he's a drug addict,) and I see how tough it can be. At least you (and her) have a lot of support from their family.

Perhaps he'll see the child and change his mind, but I'd never trust him alone with it. You really need to get a lawyer. What a piece of s**t. Well, good luck!

Harry_Manback


Savina

PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:25 pm


lunashock
For unmarried couples, it's actually harder to get the father's name put ON the birth certificate than have father unknown.


Actually, from what I read, it's a form that the hospital usually hands you right there after your baby is born. Just an additional form, or you can obtain it from the county within 60 days of the baby's birth.
...But again, it's something he has to willingly sign infront of witnesses.

IF he signs, he and his mom technically have rights.
If he doesn't, the have no rights unless they go to court, but you can't get child support either.
I second talking to a lawyer, but unlike previous posts said, it won't cost you if you go through the county. There are pro-bono (no pay) lawyers that work for the city and can give you legal advice. Even a lot of civilian lawyers will talk to you for free, and work you through options. They only require pay if you go to court or file legal paperwork through them. Most of the time, you can get enough help from them to finish everything by yourself.
If you do want a lawyer though, I'd contact your county's main office, and they should direct you to the right office. I can't think of the name of the branch right now.
PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:52 am


I really can't add to the wonderful advice you've been given.

Everything really does vary state to state with most of the things you'll have to deal with...including whether or not his mother can sue for her rights to see the baby. Some states allow for Grandparents rights, others don't. And try not to worry about her hinting she wants custody of your child: unless she can prove beyond a doubt that you're an unsuitable parent, she's just huffing and puffing.


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PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:24 am


I'm glad you see you don't need him! I'm so proud of you! You stood up for yourself, I don't see that enough.

Congratulations and good luck, honey. Everyone is here for you!
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