Trying to figure out how you are going to navigate pregnancy while in college can feel overwhelming. You might wonder how you will handle finances, your classes, and being a mother, and these are valid concerns to have.
Before making any pregnancy decision, understanding how your pregnancy is developing is important for protecting your health.
La Luz Women’s Center is here to help you access free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy and give you the information you need about your pregnancy and options.
Schedule an appointment at our center today.
Start By Confirming Your Pregnancy
A pregnancy test can confirm that the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present in your body, but it cannot tell you how your pregnancy is developing.
A limited ultrasound provides more information by showing the location of the pregnancy, how far along you are (gestational age), and whether a fetal heartbeat is detected. These details are important because they can affect both your health and the options available to you.
Research indicates that 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Because hCG can remain in the body for some time after pregnancy loss, it is still possible to receive a positive pregnancy test result even if the pregnancy has already ended.
Knowing the location of the pregnancy is also essential because it can identify an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.
An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Left untreated, it can become life-threatening due to internal bleeding.
Balancing College and Pregnancy Is Possible
You may have heard from some people that you cannot continue your pregnancy while attending college, but this is not true.
Many students are able to continue their education with the right support. Under Title IX, federal law protects students who are pregnant at schools that receive federal funding.
Many campuses have a Title IX coordinator who can help you if you have questions.
Under Title IX, your rights include:
- Your school cannot force you to withdraw, change majors, or move out of campus housing because you are pregnant.
- Your professor cannot penalize you for pregnancy-related absences.
- You may request reasonable accommodations, such as flexibility with attendance or deadlines, when medically necessary.
- You are allowed to make up missed assignments or exams.
We Are Here To Support You
You don’t have to go through this pregnancy alone. La Luz Women’s Center can offer you support throughout your pregnancy with our confidential pregnancy services, options information, and a safe place to talk openly about your concerns.
Remember, your pregnancy decision is up to you, no matter what your parents, family, or friends may want for you. You are stronger and more capable than you may think.
Contact us to make an appointment.
