What Do I Need to Know if I'm Pregnant in High School?

Seeing a positive pregnancy test while you are still in high school can leave you shaken, with a mix of fear, worry, and a hundred questions about what comes next. You may wonder whether you can stay in school, what your parents will think, or whether abortion is your only path forward.

Take a breath. You are braver than you know, and you do not have to sort through this alone. Four clear steps will give you the facts you need to protect your health and think honestly about your future. For free and confidential help with an unplanned pregnancy, make an appointment at The Well Clinic.

1. Confirm your pregnancy

Home pregnancy tests are usually reliable, but taking one too early or incorrectly can lead to a false result.

Before you make any decision, it is worth confirming the pregnancy with a lab-quality test. At The Well Clinic, free pregnancy testing is available to you at no cost and with no pressure.

2. Get an ultrasound

A positive test is only the beginning. A follow-up ultrasound scan confirms whether the pregnancy is viable, how far along you are, and whether it is growing in the right place.

These details matter for your health, because an ultrasound can reveal complications such as miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which needs medical attention right away.

If you are considering abortion, the age of the pregnancy also shapes which options apply.

The Well Clinic offers free ultrasounds so you can get the clarity and facts you need about your pregnancy.

3. Know your rights and your options

You have legal protection. Title IX (opens in a new tab) makes it illegal for a school to discriminate against you for being pregnant or parenting, which means you can stay enrolled and keep working toward graduation.

You also have real choices ahead: parenting, adoption, or abortion.

If you are considering abortion, it is important to understand the specific risks first.

Medical abortion (opens in a new tab) can bring infection, an incomplete abortion that may require a surgical procedure, heavy or prolonged bleeding, fever, and digestive upset.

Surgical abortion (opens in a new tab) carries risks that include infection, cervical injury, uterine perforation, excessive bleeding, and scarring of the uterus.

Research also points to a link between abortion and mental health struggles.

If you are considering adoption or parenting, there are many resources and programs available to you that can assist you during your pregnancy and beyond.

You deserve to know all of your options and weigh each of these facts for yourself.

4. Talk with someone who understands

Questions like “How will I stay in school?” and “What will my parents say?” feel enormous when you carry them alone.

The caring, non-judgmental staff at The Well Clinic will listen, answer your questions, and connect you with resources and support in the community, from material aid to referrals to assistance programs.

It’s your body, your future, and your decision to make. Reach out to The Well Clinic to schedule a free and confidential appointment, and take the next step with someone in your corner.

The Well Clinic does not perform or refer for abortions. We provide accurate information about every option so you can make an informed decision.