Fall is just around the corner, which means college students across the country are packing their laptops and dorm décor and heading back to campus. Returning to university often carries an air of excitement. It can feel so refreshing to “leave the nest” again and reconnect with friends. But what if you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy this back-to-school season?
Thrilling as it is, the world of higher education can also be demanding. There are classes and exams to consider, not to mention social pressures. Many college students work entry-level jobs and unpaid internships while struggling to pay tuition. If you’re coping with an unexpected pregnancy, you’re undoubtedly wondering how you would manage all this.
Maybe you’re considering abortion, hoping that ending the pregnancy before the semester begins would help you avoid a lot of stress. But would it? And even if it did, are there other factors that need to be considered? It’s important to explore these questions before finalizing your decision. Avenue Women’s Center can equip you with important information and unconditional emotional support so you can feel empowered to make the best choice for you.
Discover our no-cost early pregnancy services and contact us to learn more!
What Questions Are You Struggling With?
If you’re contemplating an abortion to avoid going back to school pregnant, you’re probably wrestling with questions like these:
- How would I balance the demands of a pregnancy and a challenging academic schedule simultaneously?
- If I chose to parent, how would I afford this? How would I find time to finish school?
- Would my university penalize me in any way because of the pregnancy?
- What would my peers think? How would a pregnancy impact my social life? What if I decided to parent?
As daunting as these questions may feel, it is possible to mitigate the challenges of an unexpected pregnancy and a tough college semester- even if you choose to continue both. Read on!
Tips for Lightening Your Load and Making a Confident Choice
As the new academic year approaches, consider following these tips. They’ll help you make a decision you can feel at peace with (even if that decision is to hold off on a decision for now).
- Gather some baseline information about your pregnancy. Are you 100% sure that you’re pregnant? If the answer is “no,” be sure to get some additional clarity. If the answer is “yes,” find out how far along you are and your chances of having a miscarriage. Perhaps an abortion wouldn’t even be necessary. It’s important to find out the gestational age and location of the pregnancy so you can know which next steps would be medically appropriate. Avenue Women’s Center can provide this information at no cost through a limited medical ultrasound.
- Get to know your rights under Title IX. Title IX is, “a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities” (S. Department of Education). Any college or university that receives federal funding must abide by it. Title IX requires schools to make certain accommodations for pregnant or parenting students (U.S. Department of Education). Check out our blog, “Unexpectedly Pregnant and Dreading Going Back to School” or visit ed.gov/higher-education to learn more.
- Build a healthy support system (maybe even on your college campus). Having a strong support network is often key to making a confident pregnancy decision. If a part of you wants to continue the pregnancy, consider confiding in 1 or 2 trusted college friends before or shortly after returning to school. That way, you’ll have immediate access to support as you make this transition. Your friends will also be aware that your semester may look different than usual. Quality friends won’t leave you high and dry, no matter what you’re going through.
- Explore your available resources. Do you need health insurance, financial assistance, or other resources? Getting connected with the right support will benefit you regardless of your pregnancy decision. It may also equip you to make the pregnancy choice you feel most drawn to. Our caring staff at Avenue can help you access the resources you need.
- Weigh the pros and cons, processes and risks, of all your pregnancy options. Educating yourself on all your options will allow you to look back on your decision knowing that you had all the relevant information. Remember that abortion, adoption, and parenting each come with its own set of challenges and risks. If you’re trying to make a pregnancy decision to avoid stress, know that this may not be possible. Post-abortion stress may simply look and feel different than pregnancy or parenting stress. Any kind of stress can be managed with the right tools.
The circumstances that you’re facing would be enough to overwhelm anyone. However, with a little time, information, and support, you’re fully capable of reaching a positive outcome. Remember that fear and pressure, though often unavoidable, are not healthy motivators for a pregnancy decision. Instead, lean on your values and beliefs. Pay attention to your desires and instincts. Whatever decision you make, make it for the right reasons. Avenue Women’s Center is here to support and equip you no matter where your road leads.
Call, text, chat, or email to schedule a private consultation at Avenue! We offer first-step pregnancy support at five locations in Chicagoland, Illinois and virtually.
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Reference:
U.S. Department of Education. (2025, January). Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At School. Retrieved from: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/sex-discrimination/know-your-rights-pregnant-or-parenting-title-ix-protects-you-from-discrimination-at-school
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.