- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
1st Trimester
I'm 21 Years Old and Pregnant. Now what?
So, I'm 21 Years Old and Pregnant. Now what? I found out I'm pregnant 2 weeks ago and at first I was a little worried for several reasons:
1. I'm still in college.
2. My health insurance doesn't cover prenatal or maternity.
3. My Boyfriend and I need to find our own place.
4. My Boyfriend of 6 years and I are not married.
When I'm not worried about all of those things I'm VERY EXCITED that in June I will be having my first child.
My boyfriend and I have been fighting lately about well... everything. About health insurance, about where and when to move. Overall we argue about finances. I go to school full time and work 2 part-time jobs. I was having a hard time balancing school and work as it is but now that I pregnant I know its not going to get easier. I don't graduate until next fall and dropping out is not an option. Pregnancy fatigue is making it nearly impossible to get anything done. My boyfriend expects me to continue working as well as go to school. I don't how I'm going to do that. I go to school at 8 am and don't get home until 9 or 11 pm. Now that I'm pregnant I'm going to need more rest.
Overall, I just need advice. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Is there anyway I can work, go to school and get rest? And now that I know I'm pregnant what should my next step be?
"A Great Joy Is Coming."
This discussion has been closed.
Re: I'm 21 Years Old and Pregnant. Now what?
Our little lightbulb is on the way!
12 weeks 3 days
TTC since Oct 2011
Me: 33, hypothyroidism since 14, cleared all HSG, US, Pre-pregnancy panel tests.
Hubby: 36, testicular Ca, chemo April-May 2012.
Natural cycle IUI #1 with trigger and Progesterone Suppositories (Jun 2012) Neg
Natural Cycle IUI #2 with trigger and Progesterone Suppositories (Jul 2012) NEG
Aug 2012 - break due to needing a girls' weekend in Cape Cod
Natural Cycle IUI #3 with trigger and prednisone (Sep 2012) NEGATIVE
Switched fertility clinics - forced break Oct 2012
Natural Cycle IUI #4 (Nov 2012) no trigger, no progesterone, no prednisone (Nov 2012) - Neg
1st round Clomid Cycle IUI #5 (Dec 2012) - POS
1. Apply for medicaid
2. Start saving money
3. Don't get hung up on what you need to do or won't be able to do until you're physically unable to do so. It's very possible to work/school until delivery. I had a very physical job that I worked up to 14 hour shifts at while pregnant and had a very healthy pregnancy
4. Get on the same page as your bf. you're bringing a child into this world
5. Find your own place
6. Talk to an advisor about your options. Do they offer child care? Can you take a semester off? Are you required courses offered online?
Layne-May 6, 2013
Callie-February 14, 2011
Congrats to you!
You're young and healthy. less income isnt an option, so just make the most of your time, take care of yourself and get it done. My friend has a 1 year old, is due in December and does overnights and comes home and takes care of her son on no sleep. She shows it can be done. and My Sister had my nephew and graduated nursing school when he was 4 months. it will be TOUGH but you can do it and there are a lot of great resources for support.
I would suggest seeing if any of your remaining course work can be done in Winter Session so you'll have less school as you get further along.
You can do it! Again, it will be tough but finishing school is a must and you'll be one proud Mama. Once you have a plan in place and map some stuff out you will feel FAR less over whelmed and much better
Just set your mind to it and do it. I worked more than full-time and went to grad school full time while I was pregnant with my first all the while with a husband that was nearly non-existent. It sucks, but it's not optional, so you do it. Start scrimping and saving and work extra hard until your darling baby comes. Good luck.
Congratulations to you, you are still very young, the rest is the most important!
Well, congrats on being pregnant. Im sure with all this stress it's hard to get excited, but it'll all work out. I was actually 21 when I found out I was pregnant and was sorta in the same situation... I had actually been married the year before but we still had money issues, I was going to school full time and working as well. I decided to keep going hard with everything, going to school at 8am, finishing up at 1 and being home by 130. I would sleep from 2 until 5 and then be at work at 530. Then I would be home around 1030 and start it all over again. I had no social life, but at least I got out of the house because of school and had friends there. I did the same routine for the entire pregnancy, worked until the week before I went to the hospital, and actually had a class the night before I delivered. I went to class IN LABOR, LOL.... talk about getting %($) done.
I dont know what state your in but in WA there is a state assistance program, which I am currently on, for prenatal care. My daughter (almost 5 now) is also on the same program. It is based on income and the dependents you have in your house hold, so I would look into something like that. Also, start getting finances together so that you can move in with your boyfriend. Even if you're not together RIGHT NOW, you can get everything in order to be able to move in together before the baby is born.
I know you dont want to quit school but could you take less classes? I understand that isn't always an option but maybe look into it so that you can get the rest you need. At least for the first trimester because you're going to be TIRED. Keep in mind that I feel WAY better if I sleep for about 6 hours and take a nap during the day, than if I sleep for 8+ hours straight... Maybe give that a shot if you have time between the millions of things going on. I know it's hard, but it's about time management.
I hope this helps.... Feel free to send a PM if you need to talk more! thebump.com is a GREAT place to get your bearings and find some supportive ladies that have great advice and are always willing to talk...
Congrats first thing.....Second this is not nor will ever be the end of the world. This is where you figure out where your strength and determination will come from.
Dont worry about the relationship and fighting because it isnt something that is going to help you at this point. I had my daughter when I was 18 in College and working 2 full time Jobs! I was always tired and still very broke! My Boyfriend and the baby's father at the time was a horrible man that presented me with more obsticles and financial issues.
Just know that this can be done! Lean on your family to help when they can if they will. Rest any chance you can! Maybe do some online classes that would lessen your work load and give you a bit more freedom. Cut dowm on classes and maybe drag it out for an extra semester it wont hurt you or your degree.
Eat Ramen Noodles lol to help save on money and do away with things you might not need like movie channels and or high cell phone bills. Medicaid is the best option for the insurance. I was on it bc I ha no insurance at all. It saved me and allowed me to get the Mirena IUD afterwords for suprise prevention.
Last....BREATHE.....You can do this....you are going to be a Momma!!!! This will give you such a wonderful sense of accomplishment when it is all said and done.
Best of luck to you Girl!
First, congratulations. It might be hard, but in the end, it will be worth it!
I would recommend that you speak to someone in your school's health or counseling center. While I have never been in your situation, I know you're not alone, and colleges and universities usually have people in place that can help guide you through this. This person should not only help you figure out your health care options, child care resources available to students, and the best schedule for you to finish school with, but should also point you in the direction of various state and federal services that will be able to help you until you've graduated and are working full time. WIC might be a great resource, for example.
With your boyfriend, keep in mind that this will take some time for him to process. Sit down quietly together, and without arguing, draw up a budget. Figure out how much money you will need to support yourselves, this pregnancy, and the baby. Then figure out what each of you will be able to contribute, and how much you will be able to spend on housing.
Good luck. I know this will be a challenge, but I really do urge you to stay in school and graduate. It will be tougher at first, but the long term benefits of your increased earning power will really be worth it.Medicaid. Even if you don't qualify for general Medicaid, you can qualify for it during pregnancy just to cover the prenatal, delivery, and postpartum costs. If you're on Medicaid for pregnancy, your baby should automatically qualify for Medicaid for at least the first year of life.
I work with cases like yours a lot at the clinic where I work, and I don't think I've ever seen a student turned down for insurance assistance. In most cases, they pay nothing for their care. I'd visit a pregnancy resource center that offers material assistance (diapers, clothes, strollers, etc.) and start their parenting program now so you can earn the items you'll need. Good luck!
BFP #1 9/7/10, EDD 5/14/11, Violet born 5/27/11.
BFP #2 4/9/12, EDD 12/16/12, M/C Rory 4/24/12.
BFP #3 10/6/12, EDD 6/16/12., Matilda born 6/17/13.