I’m That Girl That Got Pregnant

Sometimes, I just pause to reflect in disbelief. I had always supported pro-choice, sex education, birth control, and was intrigued by the topic of pregnancy. I even once created a project about teen pregnancy for a social work class. So, that’s all quite ironic to my situation.

Additionally, I always thought of teen pregnancy as happening to those girls, you know “the girls who got pregnant.” I always that about how that girl got pregnant and that girl got pregnant and this girl got pregnant, and to be honest, I kinda did judge them a little. I can’t say I thought about them completely without bias.

Then, it happened to me. Wow. I’m the girl who got pregnant in college. The girl who got pregnant before marriage. The girl who got pregnant while single.

I was now the girl who didn’t beat teen pregnancy.

I was now that girl. I was ironically pregnant and I was now, one of those girls. Sometimes it’s so hard to believe. Wow. It blows my mind.

Now, I realize, there’s nothing wrong with being “one of them.” We’re all just the small percentage who got unlucky. Basically everyone’s having sex, and all of those people take the risk of pregnancy each time they have sex, yet only a small percentage of people get unlucky and actually experience the possible result we are all risking. We’re that small percentage that got unlucky.

I realize-there’s no reason to judge that small percentage, because everyone else is taking the risk of it too. Just support us, because we need it. The last thing we need is your judgement. In fact, applaud us, because each young woman who faced a positive pregnancy test has debated a very tough, complex, fundamental decision and experienced a life-changing period of time regardless of her decision.

And also, let our situations continue to motivate you to practice safe sex in order to decrease your risk of joining our small percentage.

Being “one of them” has offered me insight into the minds of young parents, pregnancy, motherhood, abortion, and adoption. From one incident I learned a plethora of lessons and grew such a great deal as a person. The situation was emotionally complex, tolling, and long-lasting, but I do not regret the situation. It has shaped me and it has taught me.

To those who chose to parent, props to you. You all made several sacrifices for your baby, and I know it wasn’t easy for you. To those who chose adoption, props to you, because I know that was a very difficult decision for you.

To anyone who experienced pregnancy when least expecting it, go you, you are so strong. We are “one of them” and we are ready to take on the world!

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