Hi, my name is Terah and I just wanted to share my story for anyone who is out there and pregnant and scared. I am 17 right now and have a 3 month old son named Aiden. I chose to keep my baby and honestly, it's the best decision I've ever made. I was only 16 when I got pregnant and when my son was born. I was a junior in high school. My boyfriend was 17 when I got pregnant, and turned 18 shortly after that. I'm happy to say we are still together and plan on getting married some day.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was absoulutely terrified. I didn't even find out by taking a home pregnancy test. I was taken to a hospital an hour away from my house because my mom thought I was trying to kill myself because I had locked myself in my bathroom. They asked me if I was pregnant and I told them I might be. They made me take a test and a half an hour later they came in and told me I was pregnant. That was so scary for me because no one was with me except police officers and a social worker. The police officers called my mom and told them. After about another 2 hours, I finally got to go home.

Telling my boyfriend was scary but I had previous talked to him about the possibility. He was shocked when I told him, but he didn't try to take off. He was very supportive and knew that I was going to keep the baby no matter what, so that was really helpful. Luckily, he wanted this baby and decided we should stay together and be a family.

Telling his parents and my dad (my parents are divorced) was probably one of the hardest parts. I told my dad through a text message because I didn't have the guts to call him. He understood and waited a while to call me because I'm sure he was in shock too. My boyfriend's mom has told the story many times about how she was having the best day ever and then she knew something was up when my boyfriend said \"mom, I need to tell you something...\" She was going to tell my boyfriend's dad but never got the chance. Living in a small town has it's downfalls and he found out by word of mouth. He was actually very happy as this would be his first grandchild.

My grandmother was another hard person to tell because she is very conservative. When she first found out, she was really mad and wanted to take me to a clinic to get an abortion. Eventually, she came around and now she loves my son more than anything. She even babysits him once in a while.

As for school, I stayed in school until two weeks before Aiden was born. I passed everything the first 3 quarters of school and stayed out of school the last quarter, which did lead to me failing that quarter, but that's my own fault and has nothing to do with having a baby. Next year I'm going to an alternative school to get my HSED. I'll be going 8-Noon Monday-Thursday every week. I might also be graduating early, in January, 4 months before the rest of my class graduates.

Overall, having my son has been the best thing to ever happen to me. He is so happy and full of life and I love watching him grow up and do new things everyday. If you are questioning what to do, know that keeping your baby can be good for you and that it may even help you change your life around. My son is the greatest thing in the world and has made my life so much better. I hope my story can help someone.

Wow I am so happy for you to have such a good support system. Unlike you, I took the road of abortion and I really regret it. My bf wanted to keep it but he didn't tell me till everything was over...I wish I would've kept it because my mom's side of the family would've been there for me and so would my mom. My dad not so much or his family they would have looked at me as a loser. I am so embarressed and ashamed of my decision noone in my family except my parents know..If my family knew I think it would have been worse if I had kept the baby. I am so glad things have worked out for you and you're son I wish the best for you and his future.

hey i decided to keep my baby too. i was a single mum to a 2 yr old boy wen i found out i was 8 weeks pregnant. the father of my baby didnt wanna b involved and told me to hav an abortion. i thought about it but knew deep down i wouldnt b able to go through with it. my baby boy is now 14 weeks and i adore him. i definatly made the right choice. my life wouldnt b the same without both my boys. im very lucky to have my family around me and they are very supportive. the father of my baby still doesnt care about my son but my son has enough men in his life to hav a good male role model. i just feel bad for my baby wen he grows up and finds out his own father didnt want anything to do with him because i know that is gonna really hurt him. im not sure whether to tell the fathers parents because they deserve to know that they hav a grandson.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am so glad that you kept your baby and that things have worked out good for you!

Thank you for sharing your story with me, Terah. It's good to know that things can and WILL eventually work themselves out for the better

I am very happy for you that things are still going good and you have a healthy baby boy:)
I was a teen mom at 16 with twin girls. I knew I was going to keep them no matter what. Their father was involved but spent alot of his life in jail/now in prison. But he is still in their life. I didnt care I didnt on my own, with the help of my mom and his parents, and my close friends. They made me who I am today. And they are 18 yrs old now and in college. I believe I raised them well, because they are wonderful, smart children.
Congrats again:)