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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

19 year old daughter is pregnant

18 replies

Essexrace73 · 25/07/2025 12:18

My 19 year old told me 2 weeks ago that she is pregnant, just before she went on holiday for 2 weeks with her dad. She’s been with her boyfriend (he’s 22) for 6 months he lives 25 miles away, doesn’t drive, has health issues, job is bit of this bit of that but he is starting a full time job in September. We live in a tiny house, she is in the smallest room, I work from home full time in a demanding job. She has a part time job and is starting a new job next week.

I will support her no matter what, she is my world. However I am struggling with this so much. She is about 13 weeks now. I don’t think she wants to have a baby but is scared to have an abortion so has been burying her head in the sand. It would have been so much easier if she had talked to me earlier, before we know it the decision will be taken out of their hands.

They keep bickering about what to do. He wants to keep it I think although he is not saying that out loud and is saying he is ok with what she decides. I think that even if you take the issues with the practicalities of it all out of the they are nowhere near ready. She is mature but stresses easily. When she gets back from holiday we are going to talk properly. If she goes ahead I will have to give up my room. There is no way he could move in with us do during the week she will be stuck in one room all day unless she goes out so that I can work. How can I work under those circumstances? They can’t afford to rent anywhere. She wouldn’t move in with his parents she would want to be near me. I am keeping my mouth shut other than saying I support them which I will regardless but I am against them having this baby. I raised my child I have been a single parent for 10 years and it is so hard, I thought things were just starting to get easier for me now she’s grown and now this. I know I probably sound so selfish but a baby would change my life significantly.

I am not anti abortion at all I am pro choice but the further along she gets the more upset I get at the thought of it and I worry I won’t be able to support her enough if she takes this route. I feel that if this was a possibility earlier would have been better.

She is taking vitamins and went to see the midwife just in case they do go ahead. She has a scan booked in a few days. I’m worried that if she goes to the scan she will feel obligated to go ahead once she sees it even if it’s not what she wants. If she does then that would be fine but she doesn’t know. I’m lost as to how to help. I know this has been a lot of info, any advice please?

OP posts:
DiscoBob · 25/07/2025 16:23

I think you have to just carry on being supportive, while giving home truths.

Does she have somewhere to live with the baby? Does she have sufficient ability financially to support a child? Is her relationship strong? As much as one could be at 19. Frankly if I were her I'd probably terminate.

But as you say it's her decision. But make it clear that it's her decision and her partners, and it's not fair to expect unlimited childcare or financial support from you or her fella's parents.

Either way I wish her well x

AllotmentHappy · 25/07/2025 16:25

She needs to make her mind up, 2 weeks and she will be 15 weeks and then it takes time to book the abortion and they might have to send her furtheraway for it she could end up being 17/18 weeks gone.

Orangemintcream · 25/07/2025 16:27

I wouldn’t give up your room.

If she wants to do this she is the adult and needs to start making choices. If she approaches you for a mature discussion it could be raised then but don’t just do everything for her.

She needs to know how hard this will be and start dealing with things now.

Maddy70 · 25/07/2025 16:38

She will have to make her mind up soon. Keep being support
Ask her to think about
Where they will live
Childcare
Money
Career paths
She will be tied to bf for the rest of her life
The responsibility of parenting

Tell her you are happy with whatever she decides

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 25/07/2025 16:41

Sympathy op..
My dd 18 recently had a dc... Canny bf but no prospects whatsoever..
His family are frankly horrific..
Dgc is a delight..
I gave up my front room...
I am trying hard not to be resentful..
To give them some credit having a baby around hasn't affected me negatively at all apart from the cramped quarters.. They are shaping up to be fab parents indeed..
Dd is on a local authority housing list. Maybe suggest that.

AllotmentHappy · 25/07/2025 16:48

Problem is she wont likely get a council place living with her mum, they count you as housed so will take years to get place whereas if she went into a hostel shed have higher pipority.

xB1991x · 25/07/2025 16:48

I’d do everything possible to help her move out, whether that be deposit, offer of certain days of childcare or even just helping out cleaning or stocking the fridge round her new place. She is an adult, the only way she will become dependant is if you give her that push (supported by you of course in any way that you can). Personally my view is that if my children are adult enough to have a baby, they are adult enough to live on their own

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 25/07/2025 16:50

Op is within her rights to send dc to the Council with an eviction letter.
Ime.
My mate got a flat at 16.....hwr dm wrote and said she could no longer live at home.

xB1991x · 25/07/2025 16:52

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 25/07/2025 16:50

Op is within her rights to send dc to the Council with an eviction letter.
Ime.
My mate got a flat at 16.....hwr dm wrote and said she could no longer live at home.

Exactly this. Not selfish at all OP. A baby is a massive responsibility and changes household dynamics drastically.

LottieMary · 25/07/2025 16:58

The book Little Bang is great - fiction set in Northern Ireland, the main character gets pregnant at school. Her life massively deteriorated and it explores the way people respond to her, while he becomes basically a local hero for managing to get to school and get a bit of a job.

spoiler -

she does get an abortion. So it’s not a ‘recommend this path’ to your daughter but is a really honest read about the differences for boys and girls of young pregnancy.

youalright · 25/07/2025 17:03

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 25/07/2025 16:50

Op is within her rights to send dc to the Council with an eviction letter.
Ime.
My mate got a flat at 16.....hwr dm wrote and said she could no longer live at home.

How many years ago was this as this was the norm 20 years ago but with lack of housing her and the baby will likely be placed in a hostel or hotel for potentially years until a home becomes available which could be anywhere

Herewegoagainandagainandagain · 25/07/2025 17:24

You be supportive, but make sure she understands what "supportive" means. It doesn't mean doing it for her, spell out the reality of (possibly single) motherhood. She can't stay at home and share a room with the baby forever, possibly she will need to be housed by council and it will be wherever they choose for her to go. Going ahead may limit her future opportunities.

Best think my niece ever did was terminating her accidental pg when she was young. The bf of the time went on and had 7 children to 4 different women in less than 10 years (there was quite a bit of overlapping)!

She met her now lovely, absolutely devoted dh a year after the termination, she has had a lot of serious, life threatening health issues over the last decade which he has seen her through, they now have their own home and have started their own family.

I dread to think how her life might have been otherwise as a single mum and her health issues.

Hatty65 · 25/07/2025 17:33

I would be supportive and make it clear that it's entirely her choice. But, I wouldn't be giving up my room, wouldn't be 'raising' the baby or financially supporting the two of them (three of them). Neither would the bf be moving in to a small house.

If she's grown up enough to become a parent then that means growing up all the way. Being responsible for a child, financially, practically and emotionally. She needs to be prepared to do all this if she's going to keep the child.

She can't be expecting you just to step in and take over.

RaininSummer · 25/07/2025 17:43

If she wants to keep it then they need to decide how that will work. Where will they live is good start.

Glitchymn1 · 25/07/2025 17:45

In our GP office I noticed a poster for counselling if you are pregnant and not sure what to do. She might find it easier to speak to someone neutral.

Cherrytree86 · 25/07/2025 17:53

Don’t give up your bedroom Op

Essexrace73 · 25/07/2025 20:33

I know, that’s what I’m worried about, time is ticking. It’s already gone past where I feel comfortable but it’s not about me. She’s back from holiday tonight and we will be talking at the weekend

OP posts:
Daintydino · 01/08/2025 22:58

How are things OP? How worrying for you.

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