You may never have thought of pregnancy and college together, but this has happened to many women. Even so, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy situation.
We understand how challenging finding out you’re pregnant in college can be, and we’re here to help. Schedule a free appointment at First Care Clinic for a medical-grade pregnancy test. We will verify your pregnancy with a complimentary ultrasound if it’s positive.
Keep reading for must-know facts about college and pregnancy.
Pregnancy & College: What to Know
1. You Can Continue Your Education.
If your school receives federal funds, it must comply with Title IX, which is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex, including pregnancy and parenting.
This means you can continue your education, and your school must…
- Allow you to participate in classes and extracurriculars while pregnant.
- Allow excused absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a doctor’s recommendation.
- Provide reasonable adjustments such as a larger desk, more bathroom breaks, etc.
- Allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before.
- Allow you to make up any missed work while you were absent.
- Protect you from harassment due to pregnancy.
If you plan to continue your education, ask your school for help and meet with a guidance counselor or Title IX Coordinator to talk about your situation.
If you encounter any problems or believe your college or university is violating laws, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.
2. You Have Three Options.
Regardless of your situation or school, you have three options for your unexpected pregnancy: parenting, abortion, and adoption. If anyone tells you you must make a certain choice to be successful, that’s not true.
You deserve to make a pregnancy decision that fits with your future goals and plans. Your circumstances can change as you graduate college or begin a new job. Consider the road ahead and which pregnancy option would fit your lifestyle best. Only you can decide.
3. You Can Access Support and Resources.
Pregnancy can feel lonely, but we can support you throughout and share information and resources on all your options. We can also connect you with additional organizations and referrals to help with your pressing needs.
If you are leaning toward parenting, we can provide free classes and material support to help make that path easier for you. We can also connect you to trustworthy adoption organizations that can help.
Visit First Care Clinic Today
Move forward by scheduling a free and confidential pregnancy appointment at our clinic. We can verify your pregnancy and discuss your next steps in a safe space.
You deserve to feel secure and supported during this time. Make an appointment today!