I want to put the baby up for adoption, what do I need to do next?

If you have decided on adoption you will need legal advice. You should also consider getting emotional support from family and friends. The father should be notified, as his consent is likely needed in order to put a child up for adoption. You can choose an agency adoption or a private arrangement. Adoptions can be very open or very private; that is up to you. You can choose the family or set stipulations on the sort of family you want raising your child (for example, religious background). For more detailed information about adoption options please see the Teen Advice Adoption Information Page.

I want to keep the baby, what should I expect?

No matter how old you are, parenting is a challenging job. Be prepared to make sacrifices and to put the needs of your child ahead of your own. Be prepared to stop being a kid as you will now be responsible for raising one. It is best if you have support from your family and the father. Keep the father as involved as possible - children need both parents as long as both parents are decent people. Above all, expect to experience a new and intense kind of love, a bonding that is deeper than any you can imagine. For more information from teens who are parents please see the Teen Advice Parenting Information Page.

She is pregnant and doesn't want the baby, I do want the baby, what are my rights as a father-to-be?

This is a controversial and emotional topic. Your rights as a father vary depending on where you live in the world and the stage of the pregnancy. You should consult a family lawyer in your area for more information. If you go through a lawyer referral service you can get a visit with a lawyer for as little as $20. Look in your Yellow Pages for a lawyer referral service in your area. A Pro-Life pregnancy help line may be able to offer you some advice; you can find a Pro-Life hotline in your local Yellow Pages. Try one of the help lines listed at Teen Advice.

Next Page > FAQ's on Teen Pregnancy Part 7 > Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8