15 year old pregnancy

[lpphb]

I have a 15 year old friend and she is pregnant. She told her parents and they don't want to help her. Can she go see a doctor without their consent?

[andy hughes]

Your friend does not need her parents' consent to see a doctor, but try to advise her to keep them involved. Once the initial shock has worn off, she may well find her parents are more willing to help than they first appeared.

[zgma]

Yes, she can see a doctor, but depending on where she lives, she may not be able to get an abortion without their permission, if that's what she wants to do.  In the US, that varies state to state... I don't know the laws in the UK.

[smudge]

My best friends daughter had a termination at 15 years of age. Her Mother knew nothing about it until some months later, when she became very tearful at what she had experienced. My friends sister (the girls Auntie), was the one she had confided in & who went to the hospital with her to have this done. My friend was absolutely devastated that she wasn't involved & would have stood by her daughter whatever the outcome. If it were one of my daughters, I would like to think they would have come to me for help & advice. I'm pretty sure they would have done, but then who knows. 

[georgit79]

Of course she can see a doctor without their consent. But it depends what you mean by 'see a doctor'. My advice to you is to try and talk to the parents yourself. Do you know why they don't want to help her? Because this is the time she needs them by her the most, and it is vital that they are there for her.

You are a good friend, and I'm sure you'll help her as best you can.

[ianess]

In GB she can see any doctor and her confidentiality will be protected, but hopefully once her parents have recovered from the shock they will calm down and be able to help.  She probably doesn`t need to have her nose rubbed in anything......she needs help and you sound like a good friend to have.

[wonky]

Hiya please please pass on this answer to your friend, my friend had a termination at 15 she didnt tell anyone else and now regrets it more than anything (5 yrs later!) when she found out she was pregnant she thought that there would be no help for her and that she wouldnt have anywhere to live as i said she got rid of the baby and has since discovered that there are so many options for people in your friends position. Im not saying its easy bringing up a child especially at a young age but there are ways around anything and everything please think advise her to think twice and tell her there are lots of people out there that are in the health care profession that will be willing to help.

 

Think twice and good luck my heart goes out to her x x

[link2]

She can, and certainly should, see a doctor right away.  Perhaps she could enlist the help of a trusted adult (Aunt, Teacher, Pastor, your mom (?) to be at her side to talk with her parents again.  They may be more reasonable after they have had time to absord it all.  Please encourage her to do what she is capable of handling, it will be a decision that will impact the rest of her life.  God bless and prayers for you both.

[xBOBx]

of course she can! she can either do it through counsellors/nurses at school or through a local GP/family planning clinic! But why don't her parents want to help her? Do they have a problem with abortions? Because she will most likely end up having an abortion if she feels under supported!

[milly10]

I think that your friend should go to a doctor without her parents consent and doctors are told to keep everything confidential so her parents shouldn't find out and if she wants to have the baby im sure the father would help or even you could help out if ahe realy needs it