Okay, so... don't get me wrong about this. FYI, I live in Texas.

The father is very involved, i.e he wants to go to doctor's appointments with me, ultrasounds, etc. We are also trying to make our relationship work out by getting back together, which is what I've wanted since we broke up.

I told him that their is a possibility that his name will not be on the birth certificate, and it really upset/hurt him. But at the same time, my priority does have to be to protecting my baby. I don't want any court orders, custody battles, etc. to deal with. I do want him included in all decsions, but I don't want my baby to be taken away from me if we ever decide to split up.

I'm at a huge fork in the road when it comes to him. I want him to be included in everything- I'd rather even live with him- but I still want to protect myself and the baby over anything. So I was wondering the pros and cons of putting the father's name on the birth certificate and girl's who have been there who may have or have not had trouble with it.

Thanks a bunch guys.

Well it sure sounds like you are looking at this responsibly and realistically....the two of you have ended up in a situation where you have created a life together, no matter what happens the two of you will always be connected by this baby....my best advice would be to take things very slowly, examine why you broke up and why you are choosing to get back together, talk about it openly and honestly and maybe even have a neutral party mediate for you to make sure that you are both being rational and not basing decisions on emotions or \"feelings\", make sure that you are making decisions based on good judgment and sound thinking....as for the moving in together thing I would really hold off, look into some premarital counseling to see if that is something you are both up for and if so then get married before you move in together, if the counseling sessions reveal some major inconsistencies and incompatibilities in your relationship and you both choose to call it quits then it will be an easier break if you don't live together, as for the birth certificate you can always add his name later, also if he ever did choose to go to battle against you he could always demand a paternity test and they would automatically put his name on it after the results show him the father so even if you leave him off he could fight to be put on...anyways, take it slow, be friends and face parenting together whether as a couple or not, I am no longer with my sons dad but we do birthday parties together and stuff so if there is a will there is a way to be good parents together without being a couple....I hope this gave you some well rounded, non-biast advice, you will make the right choices and I know that because you are seeking out the options wisely....let us know what comes of your situation...Love Meg

From my personal experience, I'd say don't - just to be safe. And if like Meg says, he decides to fight to get his name put on the birth certificate then at least you know you tried, right?

I had to get my boyfriend's name put on the birth certificate because I recieve public assistance. I'm not sure if that's just a rule in Wisconsin, or if it is all over the U.S. If you want to receive child support I think you have to put the father's name on the birth cerificate. Hope that helped.

What rights does the father have if he is on the birth certificate? Could there be a custody issue to face because of it?

He's going to help as much as a fourteen year old boy can, but I don't think that his parents can pay child support, due to the fact that his dad pays child support for him and his mom has a new baby that she's going to deliver any day now. BUT we are not asking for any child support.

I don't want to hurt him at all, but if there are specific rights that can cause him to be able to take the baby for a period of time, then I don't want to take the risk. :-/ I know that he'll be helping, but he can't do as much as he'd like to begin with.

You definitely do not need to have any name listed to receive child support or welfare. Many mothers choose not to name the father - some do not even know who the father of the baby is until a paternity test is done, some women are raped but choose to have the baby, etc. My son's father refused to come to the hospital, refused to sign the birth certificate - this was a non issue when it came to child support.
You could seek free legal advice from your local university's law school - they usually offer free legal aid.