Pregnancy: Could I Be Pregnant? / Question
Published: February 23, 2006
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My girlfriend might be pregnant and she is younger than 18. Theres absolutely no way my girlfriends parents can find out if she is. They seriously will kill her and I'm not exaggerating. Is there any way at all that we can get an abortion without her parents knowing. We live in Ohio, so is there any place that might be understanding as long as we can pay for it?
Signed: My Girlfriend Might Be Pregnant
Dear My Girlfriend Might Be Pregnant,
You can set up an appointment at a Planned Parenthood Clinic so that your girlfriend can get a pregnancy test to verify whether or not she is pregnant. If she is pregnant, you can then discuss your options of how you would like to proceed (i.e., abortion, adoption, keeping the baby). Planned Parenthood clinics generally strive to provide healthcare regardless of people’s insurance situations or financial constraints – so when you call to set up an appointment, let them know your financial situation so you can learn about payment options. You can get clinic location information online at www.plannedparenthood.org or you can call 800-230-PLAN (7526).
As to your question about your girlfriend’s parents needing to know, under Ohio law it states that at least one parent must be notified at least 24 hours before the abortion procedure. You can get information as to the various laws state to state regarding parent notification of a teen having an abortion at the following link:
FX recommends that you call as soon as possible to locate a Planned Parenthood clinic. When scheduling an appointment ask for more specific information on how parental notification is handled. FX also suggests that you be very honest with the staff at the clinic in terms of your concerns of the intensity in which your girlfriend’s parents might react – it’s important that they are notified if you have any concerns about your girlfriend’s safety or well-being.
When meeting with a physician at Planned Parenthood, FX also wants you to remember to discuss methods of safer sex in terms of protecting yourselves from unwanted pregnancies or the transmission of STDs in the future.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use, and male high school students are more likely than female students to rarely or never wear seat belts.
