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Young people who become pregnant

If you think you or someone you had sex with could be pregnant, you may be feeling excited, worried or confused. You may also have lots of questions or be concerned about your health.

On this page find out ways you can get help throughout a pregnancy. Find out more on our page about support for young parents having a baby.

Signs of pregnancy

Every pregnancy is different. However, there are some physical and emotional signs that may mean you (or someone you had sex with) are pregnant. These may include:

  • missed period
  • needing to do a wee more often than normal
  • feeling exhausted
  • soreness or swelling in breasts
  • feeling or being sick
  • mood swings
  • bloated tummy.

The only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test.

  • Visit a local pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test kit. Find a pharmacy on the NHS website using your postcode.
  • Arrange a test with your GP. In some cases, you can get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP. Find a GP on the NHS website using your postcode. If you are not registered with a GP, it can take some weeks to make appointments or access their services.
  • Sexual health clinics may offer you a pregnancy test as part of a specialist appointment. Find a sexual health clinic.

Get some advice

It might feel difficult to talk about a pregnancy. Reaching out to someone like your parents or carers, an adult family member, trusted teachers or a midwife will help you get the support you need to make decisions. You should do this as soon as possible.

Your local team of midwives can help you make decisions and find support for everything from mental health to financial advice services. It’s a good idea to let them know as soon as you are pregnant.

Contact your GP, or refer yourself to maternity services by visiting the tell us you’re pregnant page on the Bump, Birth and Beyond website.

Unplanned baby

There are many options if your baby is unplanned. You may choose to continue with the pregnancy and raise your child, or consider fostering or adoption. You may also choose to end the pregnancy with an abortion.

Visit the Bump, Birth & Beyond website for more information about your options for unplanned pregnancy.

If you are under 25-years-old, visit the Teenage Helpline for information to support your choices around pregnancy. Teenage Helpline also provides counselling that is respectful and non-judgemental. You will be encouraged to make the right decisions for you.

Get support or find someone to talk through all your options with by contacting the MSI Reproductive Choices:

Telling your parents or carers

If you have trusted relationships with your mum and dad, or the people who care for you, you may wish to share the news with them.

There is no right or wrong way to discuss your pregnancy with your parents or carers, but you may find these tips useful:

  • If it is safe, tell them in person rather than by phone or text. This will give you the time you all need to talk face to face.
  • Find a time when you have their full attention, and you have enough time to talk things through. This is likely to be better than when they are rushing to work or during a school drop off.
  • They may have varied emotions about your news. They may be excited, happy, upset or disappointed. You may need to give them some time for the news to sink in.
  • If you are a couple, tell them together. This shows that you are both taking responsibility for what has happened and want to talk about it.
  • Bear in mind that although your parents or carers may have a view about what you should do, it is your baby and ultimately your choice.