If you are undecided about whether to continue with a pregnancy, there are people you can talk to, to help you make a choice, but ultimately the decision is yours. Information and advice is free and confidential.

Unplanned pregnancy clinics at Ella Gordon: 02392 866312

Choices that are available to you include;

1. Continuing with the pregnancy
2. Abortion
3. Adoption

Continuing with the pregnancy

As soon as you decide to continue with the pregnancy your GP will refer you to a named midwife who can arrange antenatal care. She will also be supported by a Maternity Outreach Worker who can offer 121 support ante-natally and post-natally.

It’s really important that you talk through your decision with friends and family and seek support throughout pregnancy and after the birth.

Young mum or young dad?

Contact the Teenage Pregnancy Team or ask your worker to make a referral for you.

Tel: 02392 841714

Under 16?

We support school-aged teenage parents to ensure they access compulsory education and offer the opportunity to attend a ‘Mums To Be’ course, held every Wednesday at the Sevenoaks Centre. The day starts with a healthy breakfast and the young people complete units of the course, which includes information from a midwife on pregnancy, labour and birth. Other lessons include healthy eating, making a baby book and more exciting activities. The qualification is equivalent to an NVQ level 1. There is a nursery on site for the babies.

POPT (Positive Outcomes for Parenting Teenagers) supports young mums and dads under 20 years old to access opportunities for education, training and employment. Our aim is to support teenage parents with parenting and making positive life choices. POPT provides 2 drop-in groups for young dads and young mums (both ante-natal and post-natal) across the city, which include informal group activities and support young people with issues such as Housing, Benefits, Child care and social and emotional problems.

POPT groups

• Every Monday 10.30am-12.30 at the Healthy Living Centre, Allaway Avenue in Paulsgrove.
• Every Friday 10am-1pm at SureStart Children’s Centre, Arundel Street off Commercial Road.

Activities at these groups include cooking, toy library, play, health and safety, stress management and time for young people. Other activities organised outside of the groups include swimming, hip-hop and trampolining, and picnic in the park. All young dads and young mums are welcome, so come along and meet other young parents and have a coffee and a chat.

Abortion

Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy but is safer when it is carried out in early pregnancy.

It can also be difficult to get an abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy so it’s important to seek advice quickly even if you’re not sure you want an abortion.

Abortion care is available free on the NHS or through private clinics and hospitals for a fee. In order to receive an abortion on the NHS you need to be referred by someone at your local contraception and sexual health clinic or a GP. Some GP’s will not refer women for an abortion. If the doctor you see does not refer women for abortion then they must refer you to another doctor who will. The majority of NHS abortions in Portsmouth are carried out at Ella Gordon Unit. You would have 2 visits, the first is a consultation and the second is your procedure.

To find out more about having an abortion or to make an appointment at the unplanned pregnancy clinic call: 02392 866312

Any woman who has an abortion has the right for that information to remain confidential, even if you are under 16.

However, whatever you’re age you’ll be encouraged to involve your parents, a supportive adult or friend as it can help to have someone close to you for support.

Adoption

Social services can offer advice and support about the adoption and fostering of babies.

If you would like to find out more about adoption and discuss the process further ring Portsmouth Adoption Team on 02392 832244 .

DOWNLOAD

Click here to download ‘Sussed’ (4.62MB)

Your one stop survival guide to everything you’ll need to know if you think you, your girlfriend or a friend might be pregnant.

You will need ‘Adobe Acrobat Reader’ to view this document.