Dear Anne
I'm only 16 and recently fell pregnant. It sounds stupid but I was happy when the positive results came back and I love my boyfriend a lot. My mam was calm when I told her but she doesn't want me to keep it at all. My boyfriend keeps dropping hints for me to abort it.
I feel alone, like I'm the only person who wants to keep a life that's been created. I know I'm young and abortion would be a good choice but I can't go through with it. I sit and cry every night because I'm so scared to get rid of the little life inside me. Am I the only one who cares about killing a life? I knew my mam wouldn't be there. She never was and never will be. She was never there for my sis either. I need help desperately as my mam has booked the abortion for next week. I'm scared to go through with it. Please help. Danielle
Dear Danielle
I'm sorry that you're in such distress. You are the only person, though, who has the right to decide whether or not you'll have the termination. It would be a good idea for you to contact the Brook Advisory Service for an appoitnment as soon as possible so that you can discuss your options with someone who will be supportive and will show you how to handle the consequences of your decision. There are places where single mums can continue their education and have child-care lessons at the same time, and some of them are residential. There are ways of finding a place to live and a way to support you and your child, if that's the decision you make, and the people at the Brook can help you with the relevant information.
I'm sorry you don't feel supported by your mum. She is probably looking at all the possible drawbacks for you and may well have your best interests at heart, though it may not seem like it. Bringing up kids isn't easy, but there are plenty of girls of 16 and younger who have made a good job of it. Your boyfriend may not want you to have the baby either but he has a legal obligation towards it. Again, the Brook will let you know what's what.
In the meantime, it's worth knowing that if you stick to your guns and find other means of support, you and your baby have every chance of turning out just fine. And if you do have the termination, you will be able to have other children when you are in a stable relationship.
I wish you courage and happiness, Danielle. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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