Teen and College Pregnancy In Texas

If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and you’re still in school, know that this is not the end of the world or of your education. Being pregnant as a teenager can be difficult and confusing, but there are options and there is help. You may not know what rights and options you have as a student, as a mother, and as a medical patient. If you are searching for unwanted pregnancy options, Adoption Choices of Texas understands this must be a scary and confusing time for you and is ready to support you through it. We will help you to understand your options and rights through this confusing time. We will help to defend you, to support you, offer you unplanned pregnancy help, and to dispel your worries by making this as smooth a process as possible.

What are my rights if I am pregnant and still in school?

You have the right to choose adoption for your baby. If you are a teenager or are currently a college student and found out you are pregnant, know that you have rights you are entitled to. Students are supposed to be protected from discrimination of all kinds. The education of pregnant students must also be protected and is not exempt from school policies. Your school should protect you, a pregnant student, from being penalized for pregnancy-related absences and protect your right to education and educational aid.

If you have to miss any school due to pregnancy-related health issues or childbirth, your school cannot legally punish you for that and must excuse those absences. You also have the right to be given accommodations on deadlines for work, but you must pick up where you left off following your pregnancy. This means that you cannot continue to miss classes or hand in work late once you are no longer pregnant.

Your school cannot legally deny you your education or any educational assistance and opportunities. Your caseworker through Adoption Choices of Texas is also by your side, ready to defend and represent you in any discriminatory actions, especially those that may affect your education. If your school tries to deny you your education, will not accommodate you, or tries to push you out of any educational opportunities, your caseworker will help you to file a complaint with those in charge at your school. Your caseworker will be sure to work with you and ensure you receive all the educational aid you are entitled to.

What medical rights do I have as a pregnant teenager or college student? Do I need parental permission?

Any and all medical decisions concerning your unplanned pregnancy are 100% yours and 100% confidential. Your parents have no access to any medical information concerning your unplanned pregnancy, including a pregnancy test administered by a doctor, unless you grant them access or a judge does. This also applies to any information regarding your baby, including any health information and any San Antonio adoption  information if you do not choose to raise your child yourself. All healthcare and adoption decisions in Texas are yours and should not and cannot legally be enforced or decided by anyone except you.

Although your parents have no rights to your medical information regarding your pregnancy or any information regarding your child without a judge’s warrant, it can be very helpful to have your parents by your side. A support system is very important for any college or high school student, and not being supported during your pregnancy can make the experience a lot more anxiety-provoking. Your parents may not support you in your pregnancy and your decisions, but they may also be ready to comfort you throughout it all. You won’t know unless you try telling them. I know that I would want my mom to hold my hand in the delivery room or to help me pick out anything for the baby. Your parents can be a great source of comfort and help, especially if you are choosing between a private adoption or raising your child. Your parents raised you so they know things about child-rearing that you would never have thought of or be a good insight as you pick an adoptive family for your baby if that is your choice.

If I decide to place my child up for adoption in Texas, will I ever see them again?

There are several types of adoption in Texas you can choose from: kinship, open, semi-open, and closed. Each type of adoption differs in the degree of communication between you and your child. If you choose kinship care, this means that someone close to you, such as your parent or grandparent, can be chosen to adopt your baby. This most likely means you will see your child often, and they will still be a part of your family. This can be difficult for some mothers since they can see their children all the time but are not necessarily their mothers raising them.

If you chose an open adoption, you would have fairly constant contact with your child and their family, such as through letters and even visits. If you choose a semi-open adoption, you would have less frequent contact with your child, such as letters every so often, but no visits. These letters would also come much less frequently than with an open adoption. A closed adoption would mean you would have no contact with your child and their family. All types of adoption are dependent on the agreement between you and your child’s adoptive family.

Adoption Choices of Texas Can Help With Teen Pregnancy

While unplanned pregnancy during school can be stressful and anxiety-provoking, know that you have rights as well as options. Adoption Choices of Texas understands that and wants to help you navigate the struggles involved with your unplanned pregnancy and placing your baby up for adoption in Texas if that is what you choose to do.

As an expectant teen, pregnant teen, or college student, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!

Meet the author: Carly is a recent graduate of Connecticut College with a dual degree in Psychology and Italian Studies. Graduating Cum Laude with honors in both Psychology and Italian departments, Carly has a background in gender-related research through the Connecticut College Psychology Department and Honors Theses Program. When not trying to figure out life or working, Carly is reading historical fiction novels or playing with her black cat, Isabelle.