The Challenges of Teenage Pregnancy: Understanding Your Options in Tennessee

Finding out you're pregnant at sixteen changes everything in a heartbeat. Here in Tennessee, this happens to about 2,400 teens every year, and each one faces challenges that can feel completely overwhelming.

This experience touches everything in your world—your relationships, school, how you're feeling emotionally, and all the plans you had for your future. Learning about what might be ahead isn't meant to scare you; it's about giving you the information you need to make the best decisions for your life.

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You have more options than you might think: Whether you just found out or you've been thinking about this for weeks, you deserve to understand every choice available to you—including how adoption might provide the stability and hope you want for both yourself and your baby.

We're here to help you connect with the right resources and support throughout Tennessee, no matter which direction feels right for you.

What Are the Biggest Challenges of Teenage Pregnancy?

When you're pregnant as a teenager in the United States, you'll likely face five main challenges that can affect pretty much everything in your life:

Emotional ups and downs - intense feelings, fear, feeling alone
Health concerns - extra risks for both you and your baby
School complications - making it harder to stay on track
Money worries - costs that can feel impossible to handle
Social pressure - dealing with what other people think and say

Every person's situation is different, but knowing about these common experiences can help you feel less alone and better prepared for what's coming.

What Are the Emotional Challenges of Teenage Pregnancy?

When your whole world gets turned upside down with unexpected news, the emotional storm that follows can feel like way too much to handle. Your body starts flooding with hormones right when you're trying to figure out what this means for everything you had planned.

The feelings you're probably having:

You're definitely not imagining things if you feel cut off from everyone, scared out of your mind, or totally lost about what comes next. Those mood swings that seem to come from nowhere, crying when you least expect it, constantly worrying about how this changes everything—that's all completely normal for what you're dealing with.

What you're going through makes total sense, even when it feels like too much.

Worrying about everyone else's reactions:

The hardest part might be thinking about how others will react when they find out. You care about the people in your life, and the thought of letting them down can feel devastating. Sometimes it seems easier to keep acting like everything's fine while you try to sort this out in your head.

If you're feeling alone during pregnancy, know that there are people you can reach out to who understand exactly what you're going through.

When your body and mind feel overwhelmed:

If sleep isn't happening, you can't concentrate like you used to, or you feel stuck when it comes to making any decisions, you're reacting exactly like anyone would in your shoes.

These intense feelings aren't going to last forever. When you find someone you can really talk through all of this with, sorting out what you're feeling and seeing your choices more clearly becomes so much more manageable.

What Physical Risks Do Teen Mothers Face?

Being pregnant carries some extra health challenges when you're still a teenager yourself. The specific risks can vary depending on your age—teenage pregnancy by age shows different considerations for different stages of adolescence. It's totally natural to wonder about the health side of things, and here's what you should know about your situation.

The reality: Your body is still growing and changing, which means pregnancy can be tougher on you than it would be for someone in their twenties.

What the research tells us:

You've probably heard that teen pregnancies sometimes mean babies come early or are smaller at birth—this happens in about 14% of teen pregnancies compared to 10% for older moms. While this doesn't mean it's definitely going to happen to you, it does mean taking extra good care of yourself becomes really important.

Things like high blood pressure or low iron levels show up more often in teen pregnancies, but here's the good news: with the right medical care, these are totally manageable.

Why your body needs extra TLC:

Your body is doing something absolutely incredible while it's still developing, so it needs more help with good nutrition and plenty of rest. That morning sickness and bone-deep tiredness you might be dealing with? It's real, and it can make keeping up with school and everything else feel nearly impossible some days.

Getting the care that makes a difference:

The single best thing you can do for both yourself and your baby is to see a doctor regularly and take good care of your health. If you're worried about how to pay for medical care, there are programs right here in Tennessee designed specifically to make sure you get everything you need.

You don't have to figure out the health stuff by yourself.

How Does Teenage Pregnancy Affect School?

About 3% of high school students deal with pregnancy each year, and it definitely makes finishing school more complicated. Your education is probably one of your biggest priorities right now—it's your path to the future you want—but pregnancy can throw some real obstacles in your way.

The day-to-day challenges:

Morning sickness, feeling exhausted, and needing bathroom breaks all the time can make getting to class regularly feel like a huge challenge. As you get further along, even simple things like sitting in those uncomfortable desk chairs, walking between classes, or doing anything physical can become pretty miserable.

The social side of things:

The social stuff can be just as hard to deal with. Some classmates might judge you or make comments, and you might start feeling self-conscious about how your body is changing. Friends who've never been through anything like this sometimes don't know what to say or do, so they might pull away when you need them most.

How it affects your grades:

When you're dealing with stress and your body is working overtime, concentrating on schoolwork becomes so much harder. Missing class for doctor appointments can make you worry about falling behind, and if you end up on bed rest because of complications, that adds a whole other layer of stress about your grades.

What Tennessee law says about your rights:

Here's something important to know: Tennessee law protects you from discrimination because you're pregnant, and schools have to make accommodations to help you keep going with your education. This includes things like:

Letting you miss class for doctor appointments without penalties

Making sure you can use elevators

Modifying gym class requirements

Finding help at your school:

Don't hesitate to talk to a school counselor or a teacher you trust about what's going on. They can connect you with resources you might not know about and help you make a plan for staying on track academically. Many people want to know how to help a pregnant teenager, and school staff are often trained to provide exactly the kind of support you need. Lots of schools have special programs just for pregnant students that include counseling and help with keeping your education moving forward. might not know about and help you make a plan for staying on track academically. Lots of schools have special programs just for pregnant students that include counseling and help with keeping your education moving forward.

What Are the Financial Challenges of Teen Pregnancy?

The average cost of pregnancy and delivery can run anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 without insurance. Let's be real here—money becomes a serious worry when you're pregnant and likely don't have much income coming in.

The expenses start adding up immediately:

Even just being pregnant costs money you probably don't have:

Doctor visits and lab tests

Prenatal vitamins and ultrasounds

The hospital bill when your baby arrives

If you're thinking about raising your baby, the ongoing costs can feel endless: diapers, formula, clothes that get outgrown constantly, childcare so you can work or go to school, and ongoing medical expenses.

When earning money becomes nearly impossible:

Working while you're pregnant or taking care of a newborn often becomes close to impossible, right when you need money the most. And if things get tense at home because of your pregnancy, you might even start worrying about having a safe place to live.

How this affects your future earning potential:

Here's something that's really tough to think about: this situation can impact how much money you'll be able to make in the future too. When school gets interrupted or put on hold, it becomes much harder to get the education or job training that opens doors to better-paying opportunities later on.

There's help available:

But here's what you need to know: there are people and programs created specifically to help with exactly these kinds of financial pressures. Tennessee has several assistance programs for pregnant women, and if you're considering adoption, that path comes with financial help that covers all your pregnancy expenses—completely free, with no strings attached.

Social Stigma and Relationship Strain

Even though people's attitudes have changed a lot over the years, being pregnant as a teenager still comes with social challenges that can leave you feeling incredibly isolated. The way people react—sometimes with their words, sometimes just with their expressions or body language—can actually be harder to handle than the physical parts of being pregnant.

If you're looking for understanding and support from others going through similar experiences, online communities like r/pregnant and r/BabyBumps can provide connection with people who truly understand what you're experiencing.

When friendships change:

Your friendships are probably going to shift, and honestly, that's one of the hardest parts. Some friends genuinely won't know how to help or what to say, so they might start keeping their distance. Others might gossip or make judgmental comments, which feels like betrayal when you really need people in your corner.

You might find yourself skipping social events because you feel like you don't belong anymore, or you're worried about the whispers and stares.

When family relationships get complicated:

Things at home can become really stressful too. Your parents are probably dealing with their own rollercoaster of emotions—disappointment, worry, fear, maybe even anger. If your family has strong religious or cultural beliefs about pregnancy outside of marriage, that can create even more tension in your house.

Some teens even face rejection from family members, which can make an already overwhelming situation feel completely impossible to handle.

When romantic relationships feel the pressure:

If your baby's father is still part of the picture, both of you are trying to deal with more emotional stress than most people your age ever have to face. You might disagree about what to do next, or worry that your relationship can't survive this kind of pressure.

Worrying about your future relationships:

You might also be wondering whether having a baby will make it harder to date or find a partner someday—and that's a completely understandable concern. Here's some encouragement: many people go on to build amazing, loving relationships after experiencing teen pregnancy.

Who you are and what your future holds isn't defined by this one chapter of your life.

Is Adoption a Good Option for Teen Pregnancy?

When you're dealing with an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager, adoption is one choice that some teens find really does address their biggest concerns while making sure their baby gets a stable, loving home.

About 1% of teens facing unplanned pregnancy end up choosing adoption. There are many misconceptions about teenage pregnancy and adoption that aren't based in reality. It's definitely not the right path for everyone, but it might be worth understanding what adoption as a teenager could look like in your situation.

What Choosing Adoption Could Mean for Your Future

For some teens, choosing adoption creates the opportunity to keep pursuing their education and personal goals without taking on the full-time responsibility of raising a child right now.

This is a big decision: This is honestly one of the most difficult and courageous decisions anyone can make, and it's certainly not the right choice for everyone. But for those who do choose this path, it can give them the space they need to finish high school, go to college, or figure out what they really want to do with their lives.

How other teens describe the experience: Some young women who've chosen adoption talk about feeling empowered by the whole experience. They describe being able to handpick a family for their baby, staying connected through open adoption if that feels right to them, and moving forward in life knowing their child is thriving with parents who were completely ready and excited to raise them.

Making the decision out of love: "I knew that what I was doing placing Charlotte for adoption was 100 percent out of love. I loved her so much that I had to be selfless." - Lindsey, a birth mother who worked with American Adoptions.

What Adoption Could Mean for Your Baby

When teens choose adoption, their babies get to grow up with parents who've been hoping and preparing for this opportunity, sometimes for years.

These families go through home studies and counseling—not just because it's required by law, but because they genuinely want to be as prepared as possible for the incredible responsibility of raising a child. If you want to understand more about how adoption works, there are comprehensive resources available to help you learn about the process.

What this means for your child: Children who are placed through adoption usually have access to resources and opportunities that might feel completely out of reach right now—things like immediate access to good medical care, proper nutrition, educational opportunities, and the chance to explore their interests and talents as they grow up.

Most importantly, they get raised by people who actively chose to become parents and feel completely ready for everything that comes with raising a child.

Open Adoption: Staying Connected

The vast majority of adoptions today (over 95%) include ongoing contact between birth mothers and adoptive families, which means you definitely don't have to say goodbye forever. You get to decide what level of contact feels comfortable for you—maybe that's getting photos and updates regularly, exchanging letters, or even visiting in person from time to time.

This kind of arrangement lets you stay connected to your child while knowing they're being raised by parents who can provide everything they need to thrive. Many birth parents find real peace in being able to watch their child grow up and knowing they made their decision completely out of love – Many birth mothers have the opportunity to attend important life events too, like your child’s birthdays, first day of school, graduations, and even wedding eventually. You can read more thoughts from birth mothers who have walked this path.

What this relationship can look like: "They told me, when I had Charlotte, that I'm family. That means a lot to me, because I know that they weren't going to be given the baby and never talk to me again. Even though Charlotte is now their daughter and they're Mom and Dad, she is still my daughter, as well." - Lindsey, a birth mother who worked with American Adoptions.

How American Adoptions of Tennessee Helps Teen Birth Mothers

As an agency that specializes in working with teens who are dealing with unplanned pregnancies, we've built our entire approach around the unique challenges and needs you're navigating right now. We provide services across multiple locations to ensure you can get the help you need no matter where you are. Everything we do comes from a social work background, focused on giving you the kind of support and resources that can help you make the best decision for your specific situation.

Comprehensive Care at No Cost

If you decide to work with us for any reason, every single service we provide comes at absolutely no cost to you—counseling, legal help, coordinating all your medical care, and ongoing support throughout your pregnancy and long after your baby arrives.

You'll never see a bill or have to worry about paying us back, no matter what decision you ultimately make about your pregnancy.

Counseling that really gets it: Our counselors have lots of experience working with young women in situations very similar to yours, and they're available any time of day or night when you need someone to talk to, have questions, or just need to work through everything you're feeling.

Their whole job is to help you explore every option available to you and support whatever decision ends up feeling right for you.

Finding the Right Family for Your Baby

If you decide that adoption is the right path for you, you'll get the chance to look through detailed profiles of families who've already been approved to adopt and choose the one that feels like the best possible match for your baby.

These families come from all different backgrounds and life situations, but what they all have in common is that they've been hoping to become parents and they've prepared themselves to provide a loving, stable home.

You get to pick a family based on whatever matters most to you personally—maybe their values align with yours, or you connect with their lifestyle, or they live in a place that feels right to you. This is completely your choice to make, and we'll support whatever decision feels right in your heart.

Help with Expenses and Medical Care

Tennessee law allows adoptive families to help cover pregnancy-related expenses for birth mothers—things like:

All your doctor bills and medical expenses
Maternity clothes as your body changes
Rent and groceries and other basic necessities
Any other expenses that come up during your pregnancy

This kind of financial help is designed specifically to take money worries off your plate so you can focus on taking care of your health and well-being while you're making such an important decision. Some agencies can even help with housing during pregnancy if your living situation becomes challenging.

If you choose to work with our agency, we handle every detail of coordinating this financial assistance and make sure you get everything you're entitled to under Tennessee law. We take care of all the paperwork and logistics so that's one less thing you have to think about.

Legal Protection That's Actually About You

If you decide to move forward with creating an adoption plan, you'll have your very own attorney who's there specifically to protect your interests and make sure you completely understand every single part of the process. This lawyer works for you and only you, not for the adoptive family, so you can feel totally confident that someone is looking out for what's truly best for you. We can also step in to help advocate for you if you need extra support dealing with family members, people at your school, or medical providers. You shouldn't have to handle these kinds of challenges all by yourself, regardless of what you ultimately decide to do.

Ongoing Support

If you do choose adoption, our relationship with you doesn't just end when your baby is born. We're here to help you adjust to life afterward and work through whatever emotions or questions come up along the way. Many of the young women we've worked with find it really helpful to connect with others who've had similar experiences, and we can help make those connections happen if that's something you're interested in. For teens who end up choosing other paths, we're more than happy to help connect you with resources and support in your community that can help you with whatever you decide.

You're Not Alone

Being pregnant as a teenager can feel incredibly isolating, but here's the truth: you absolutely don't have to go through this experience by yourself.

The challenges you're facing are completely real and significant, but so is your ability to handle them and make thoughtful decisions about both your future and your baby's future.

You have more support than you might realize

You're so much stronger than you probably feel right now, and there are genuinely good people who want to help you through this. Whether you want to learn more about adoption, find out about parenting resources, need someone to talk through all your feelings with, or just want to understand every option that's available to you, we're here to provide both support and information.

Remember, your age doesn't define your ability to make good decisions. Whether you're pregnant at 13 or pregnant at 15 or any other age, you deserve support and respect as you navigate this experience.

Ready to talk?

Call us at 1-800-ADOPTION or text us anytime.

You can also fill out our completely confidential online form to connect with a counselor who can help you explore all your options without any pressure or judgment whatsoever.

You can do this: Your future matters so much, and so does your baby's future. You absolutely have what it takes to make thoughtful decisions that are exactly right for your situation. Taking that first step to reach out for support and information shows incredible strength and maturity—and we're here to help you explore your options whenever you're ready.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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