Finding out you’re pregnant while in college can feel overwhelming, especially as you balance classes, exams, and future plans. It’s natural to feel pressure to act quickly so you don’t lose momentum, but taking time to pause and assess your situation can help protect both your academic path and personal well-being.
At Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County, we help you navigate the intersection of your education and your health. We offer a neutral, supportive space to discuss your campus rights, available resources, and health details so you can understand your options and next steps.
Reach out today to learn how we can support you and help you explore the resources available to you as a student.
Understanding Your Rights Under Title IX
Under Title IX, students who are pregnant or parenting have specific legal protections at schools that receive federal funding. These protections include:
- Protection from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting status
- Reasonable accommodations to help you continue your education
- Excused absences for pregnancy- or childbirth-related medical appointments
- Opportunities to make up missed assignments, exams, or coursework
- Protection from being removed from academic programs, activities, or scholarships due to pregnancy
- The right to return to the same academic and extracurricular status you held before taking leave, once you are medically able
Understanding these rights can help you recognize that pregnancy does not have to mean losing your place or your progress in school.
Pregnancy Confirmation
Before you make a final decision, it is essential to confirm the status of your pregnancy through clinical means. While a home test detects the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), it does not provide the full medical picture. Statistics show that early pregnancy loss occurs in an estimated 10-20% cases, sometimes before it is medically recognized.
At Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County, we offer free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to help you understand your specific situation. An ultrasound is the most reliable way to confirm three key factors:
- Viability: Is there a detectable heartbeat?
- Gestational Age: Exactly how many weeks along is the pregnancy?
- Location: Is the pregnancy safely in the uterus or is it a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy?
Accessing Campus and Community Support
Navigating a pregnancy in college is easier with support. Many on-campus and community resources are available to help. These may include student-parent support groups and local programs that offer material assistance, such as baby supplies or prenatal care, designed to help you continue your education.
At Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County, we help connect students with practical tools and information, whether that involves parenting services or exploring your options, so you can move forward with a clear and informed plan.
Contact us to schedule your free, confidential consultation.