junior high student thinks she is pregs

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Help! I had a teacher come to me and tell me that her 8th grade student confided in her that she thinks she may be pregnant. The student lives with her father and is scared to tell him what is going on. I've passed this information on to our counselor but nothing has been done about it yet (that was 2 days ago). The student is not sure when her last menstrual cycle was and is completely freaking out over it. The "incident" happened approx 2 weeks ago, and I do know (per the teacher) that it was with a minor boy, so I know I'm not dealing with an adult/minor type situation here. I was hoping the counselor would take the lead on this since she already has an established relationship with this child and her father, but she hasn't and I know this issue has to be addressed ASAP. The child has no idea that the teacher has come to me, so she is probably going to be blind-sided when she gets called down to the office to see me or her counselor. I've not had to deal with this situation before. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Am I missing something?

I'm thinking you wouldn't know if the counselor had talked to her about it or not because of confidentiality.

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Am I missing something?

I'm thinking you wouldn't know if the counselor had talked to her about it or not because of confidentiality.

Nope, in school like in the hospital there is collaborating.

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I lost my virginity in 7th grade.

I know it happens, it just shocks me

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I know it happens, it just shocks me

I don't think that's a bad thing, kidz. I know you would still support the kid in any way you could, shock or not.

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If this student has had SI in the past, the first thing you need to do is ensure her safety.

That means counseling her, and determining if she has a plan in place if she is, indeed, pregnant. Assist her in developing some coping skills.

Secondly, I'd assess her knowledge. Sounds like there's been some hearsay. It's near impossible that the student or her teacher "know" she's pregnant if the "incident" occurred two weeks ago!

Does she know how pregnancy occurs, and how to prevent it?

Does she understand consent?

At the very least, I'd make sure she's safe, that she isn't being coerced into sex, and that she understands the physical/emotional components of becoming sexually active (not a lecture, just the facts). Then I'd give her resources. Let her know what her options are. She can (at least here), legally, get pregnancy and STD testing, and acquire birth control, without involving her parent. So, if she can't do those things at your school, let her know where she can go to do it. In some states, PP or other providers offer those services for free to adolescents. If she is pregnant, give her reliable sources to counsel her about her options. Just make sure it's not some fake pregnancy crisis center. There's a lot of support services out there.

*Edit: I just saw the update. So, this is the part I think is really, really important--even with her dad involved and a GYN appointment scheduled:

What's a fake crisis pregnancy center?

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What's a fake crisis pregnancy center?

Usually privately owned, or owned by an anti-abortion church group, these "pregnancy centers" are just a front for "we have lots of people who will adopt your child" or "we will help you if you keep your baby" stuff. Not a planned parenthood that discusses every option with a woman. Especially vulnerable young women, who are easily made to feel guilty, "dirty", and just this close to burning in hell forevermore.

Plays on the ever shrinking rights of women. And parents/teenagers who would like to weigh all of their options.

This kid has significant issues. That needs to be addressed by a multi-disciplines. Most importantly, education and steps so this doesn't happen again until such time as she can make rational choices. And I also was curious if she has a female mentor/advocate. If not, she should.

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Specializes in kids.

Do we have confirmation of this ?? pregnancy yet?

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Do we have confirmation of this ?? pregnancy yet?

I'm curious too

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, Hospice, School.
Do we have confirmation of this ?? pregnancy yet?

Her pregnancy test was negative. This instance happened over spring break while she was out of state visiting a family member. The student has had an issue in the past with sneaking out of this particular family member's house, hence the reason she is living with dad now.

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Specializes in kids.
Her pregnancy test was negative. This instance happened over spring break while she was out of state visiting a family member. The student has had an issue in the past with sneaking out of this particular family member's house, hence the reason she is living with dad now.

Thank Goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Glad she's not pregnant, but hope her provider checked her for STIs and explained the risks of unprotected sex. (If she did see a gyn. then I can't imagine this would not have occurred.)

Sad this happens so young but just shows how important a good sex education program is.

Go California!

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Glad she's not pregnant, but hope her provider checked her for STIs and explained the risks of unprotected sex. (If she did see a gyn. then I can't imagine this would not have occurred.)

Sad this happens so young but just shows how important a good sex education program is.

Go California!

...excepting vaccine stuff...

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