My boyfriend doesn’t want to know about the baby – What rights do I have?

The shock of an unintended pregnancy can leave you feeling scared and lost, even if you're in a steady relationship. This is a time when you need all the support you can get. You are your baby's mother and you have a right to raise your own child. When your child is born you have all the rights and responsibilities of a parent. Mothers automatically have parental responsibility (PR) for their children, but it's more complicated for dads. He will not have parental responsibility unless you are married or include his name to the birth certificate. You can choose do this without his involvement. Given time his feelings abut the pregnancy may change. It may be helpful if you can find someone to talk to and confide in. The best person could be your mum or a close friend.

There are organisations that can provide expert, confidential and impartial advice and counselling if you find yourself facing an unplanned pregnancy. They can help you to consider the options and will support you once you've decided what is right for you. They offer advice about everything, from where and how to seek help if you choose to continue with the pregnancy, to details of adoption agencies and abortion clinics. Care Confidential is a confidential service for people who find themselves pregnant and don't know what to do next. (www.careconfidential.com or 0800 028 2228).

Firstly, you have a choice to continue with the pregnancy. If you choose to continue with the pregnancy, you then have the choice of parenting the child yourself or making an adoption plan for your baby. Or you have the option of abortion. It would be sensible to arrange an appointment to see your GP so you can discuss and get information about your options ¹.

¹ Doctor-patient communication skills - a mini topic review; 2007 By Jo Church, Lay Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Patient Liaison Group