According to SADD.org, three in ten teenage girls become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 – that is more than 750,000 teen pregnancies a year.

There is a lot going on in a college student’s life, the stress is obvious. S

o when a student is confronted with pregnancy, it’s normal to freak out because you wonder how you’ll be able to feed someone else if YOU eat ramen noodles faithfully.

Well, here we have done some research on trying to find the best results for you because being able to provide for your new family is very important.

1. Calm Down

This is the first step when confronted with a problem that you aren’t familiar with.

In unrecognizable situations, people tend to allow their emotions to get the best of them without fully realizing it. This eventually leads into you making a decision you will later regret, which could possibly harm you and the baby.

So the best thing for you to do is to calm down so that you will have a clear mind and understanding of everything so you can figure out what is best for you and your child.

2. Speak With The Father

Yes, you are a super woman but raising a child alone is hard, so even if you’re a little scared, getting the father involved is important.

This situation is much larger than you as an individual, there is now a child involved so even if you and the father aren’t on great terms, his presence is needed. Every child deserves to have a father in their life, so don’t strip the baby from having that opportunity because you’re overwhelmed.

Of course everyone comes from different situations and it is understood that sometimes the father may not want to be involved.

Don’t worry, there is something you can do to  take care of that to make sure you and your baby are taken care of: child support. If you are uncomfortable going to court to put him on child support, don’t be.

You didn’t create this baby alone, therefore, you shouldn’t have to raise it alone.

Click here for the official application to apply for child support.

3. Speak With Your Parents

Being a parent isn’t easy and the people who would be able to understand that the most are your parents.

They will be able to talk you through everything because they have already been there, done that. Of course, prepare yourself mentally to explain yourself and the situation, just reassure them that you have everything under control, but you desperately want them involved.

Once your parents are calm and willing to work with you, understand that they are supporting you until the end. The majority of grandparents go crazy in love when they have grandchildren. Their assistance is healthy for you; keep them around.

4. Take Care Of Yourself

If you haven’t been taking care of your body, now is the time to do so.

Being a mother requires you to eliminate being unhealthy because your body is no longer YOURS. You are sharing it with someone else who is depending on you for life. Make an appointment with the doctor to make sure everything is going well.

Taking vitamins on a daily basis should also become a habit because it will benefit you and the baby.

5. Apply for Assistance

There is nothing wrong with needing government assistance if you can’t afford things on your own.

You are a young woman in college so being financially stable is probably not in the cards right now (unless your parents are well-off). The government has several programs that can help you raise your child.

If you have too much pride to apply for assistance you have to eliminate that feeling because raising a child isn’t easy. You need all the help you can get.

WIC

WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children .

This will be a great help for your baby because every month they provide you with a “ticket” with a list of foods for your baby that you can go to the supermarket for and purchase for free. Yes, free! WIC is usually provided until your child is about 2 or 3 years old.

Food Stamps

Everyone pretty much knows what this is. After you’re approved for benefits, you will be issued a card that is called Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and you will be able to go food shopping for free for an entire month.

6. Look For A Daycare

Ask your parents first if they will be willing to watch the baby while you are at school or work.

If they have conflicts with the schedule do adequate research for a good day care. You should always be very careful with who you leave your children with because no one can love and care for them like you so picking a day care that is right for you and your baby is very important. You  need people who you can trust.

Check out all references, talk to other parents, and get the best care for your baby.

7. Stay Strong

Now that you are going to be a mother, you have to mentally prepare yourself for the real world because it isn’t so nice. Use the 9 months to coach yourself through difficult times which will hopefully mentally, emotionally, and physically prepare yourself to stay strong for you and your baby.

In peace, love and happiness

BIANCA