Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy can be a stressful time in any woman's life. But if you're a teenager, the situation can seem like a catastrophe.  If you are sure that you're pregnant, then you have a few options open to you.

Have the baby and take care of it – Though the prospect of having a baby is scary to a teen, it has its own wonderful moments. It would be better if the support of the father is there but in the absence of such, the acceptance of the parents and the whole family will serve as source of strength that would be essential for her to regain lost emotional balance and confidence.

Have the baby & live with her parents – Even in the presence of the biological father, it is advisable for your teen parent to live within your parental household. This will ensure not only the safety but the assuring presence of experienced loved ones as well as the home atmosphere that more than compensates for the kind of care needed for the proper upbringing of the child.

Have the baby & place it up for adoption – In extreme cases of financial incapability or domestic problems whether within the teen couple or the parental household that would not be conducive to the welfare of the child, adoption is the best option. However, the corresponding emotional pain and burden of guilt that this decision usually carries is devastating to a teen, something that would contribute to her being a scarred adult later in life. Again, emotional support is needed to sustain the teen parent.

Have the baby & have a foster parent care for the baby for a short time – In this option, consideration of the teen parent’s maturity to handle the responsibility of caring for a child is noted. If still finishing studies, a foster parent is advisable to have. This would give ample time for the teen parent to get back on her bearings and regain lost ground while preparing for the role of parenthood.

Have an abortion - There are strong moral and medical reasons to be considered before even considering this option. An abortion is a medical procedure to end pregnancy. It must be done by a physician. Abortions are safest in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Similar to the case of adoption, such a decision leaves permanent emotional scarring to a teen and has been medically concluded to have latent manifestations in the area of extreme depression and emotional imbalance later on in life.