Many mothers are still able to accomplish their dreams with a child. There are a lot of resources available to help new mothers. There may be many you haven’t even heard of. These resources may be available through hospitals, government agencies, non-profit organizations, grocery stores, etc. The Pregnancy Care Centre, and The Gianna Centre are both places that offer emotional support, parenting and prenatal classes, help with housing, materials goods, volunteer advocates, and other pre- and post-partum resources. If you want to know more about what resources are available to you to help you call us at 780-421-9941.

Approximately 50% of pregnancies in Alberta are unplanned. Children conceived and born who were not planned have just as much value as those who are.

You are not alone, even if your partner or your family don’t support you. There are people in your community, including us, that want to help you and accompany you through your pregnancy and after your child is born. There are unique challenges for single parents to overcome. There are many support groups- check out the province-wide service directory informAlberta- and organizations Pregnancy Care Centre, Gianna Centre, Terra Centre, Stepping Stones, or churches that are willing to help you raise your baby! Make an appointment and we can put you in contact with people who want to help you.

https://informalberta.ca/public/results/relatedSubjects.do?taxonomyQueryId=5789

As long as they are not abusive, the best way to tell them would be directly either in person, over the phone, or through a letter. As long as it’s safe, it’s best to be honest and tell them as soon as possible. If you are very anxious, a trusted friend could be present for support. If you need help planning a way to tell them or if you think they’ll react poorly, give us a call (780-421-9941) or come in and we can make a plan together and make sure you have all of the supports you might need.

There are many communities and governmental resources available to help you. Maternity and baby clothing, diapers, toys, blankets etc., are all available for free or very low cost from places like The Pregnancy Care Centre, The Terra Centre, and The Gianna Centre. There are also low-income and housing grants, and tax credits available through the provincial and federal governments that you may qualify for. We are happy to go through your situation and make relevant referrals, help you make phone calls, and/or put you in touch with a social worker.

Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience. Almost every single woman worries that they will not know how to be a quality mother, especially those with backgrounds of family trauma. Everyone’s difficulties and doubts will be different, but we will work with you and refer you to services that will help you feel empowered. You can do it; remember you’re made for this!

Yes! No matter where you are in your educational journey, you can finish your education if you are pregnant or parenting. For high school students who are parents, you can get a GED or you can speak to a representative at the Terra Centre here in Edmonton to learn about the Braemar school that is designed specifically for high school parents. If you find yourself pregnant in college and university and are worried about your rights or ability to defer, make an appointment to come speak with us about what your options for your post-secondary are. Many people graduate with bachelors and masters degree with young children. You can too.

https://terracentre.ca/services/high-school-completion/

Under Alberta employment standards, an employer cannot discrimination against, lay off, terminate or require an employee to resign because of pregnancy or childbirth.

Government of Alberta. (n.d.). Maternity and parental leave. Alberta.ca.

https://www.alberta.ca/maternity-parental-leave.aspx.

If you are pregnant, you have the ability to be a mother, infact, you already are! While you may face different obstacles during pregnancy and child rearing depending on your age, we can help you figure out solutions.

This can mean a lot of different things. Please give us a call 780-421-9941 to let us know more about the specific situation. We’d love to help you get a second opinion from a qualified OB/GYN.