Top Tips for teaching about pregnancy decision making

1. Groundrules (or a ‘working agreement’) are essential for making sure students understand that they are not expected to share any personal information, and that they are required to be respectful of others’ beliefs and opinions.
2. When discussing options in the case of unintended pregnancy ensure the three options (abortion, adoption and parenting) are discussed sensitively and impartially, as equally valid choices. It can be useful to remember that everyone in the classroom is likely to go on to have experience of pregnancy, either directly or through a partner or family member. Some may already have experience of pregnancy and pregnancy decision making.
3. Provide factual information on pregnancy testing, including where young people could go to get tested and supported by a professional should they have a positive result.
4. Provide factual information on ‘emergency contraception’ making clear that it is only effective in helping to prevent unintended pregnancy but will not work to end an existing pregnancy.
5. Ensure students are familiar with how conception works, what gestation means and the legal time limit for abortion. They may know that the legal limit is 24 weeks but the vast majority of abortions happen a lot earlier than this, when abortion is safest and easiest to access.
6. Use the lesson as a chance to reiterate messages about safer sex, and prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancy. Discussion of pregnancy choices can be a good opportunity to talk about motivation to use a suitable form of contraception or delay sexual activity.
7. Familiarise yourself with the Fraser Guidelines which outline the law around young people’s access to contraception and abortion. Let students know where they can go if they need professional support, and how confidentiality works in these services (and in the school or college).
8. Include discussion of men’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to pregnancy decision making. A great way to engage young men who may feel disconnected from the subject of pregnancy!
9. Use reputable sources for factual information on pregnancy, parenting, adoption and abortion. Be aware that many online and offline resources on abortion contain inaccurate and potentially distressing information and images.
10. Likewise, ensure that the local services you refer young people to are reputable and able to offer impartial support with pregnancy decision making. Some independent centres offering pregnancy testing and counselling have been found to give biased or misleading information about pregnancy and abortion.

Useful resources for teaching about pregnancy options:

Brook: information on all aspects of sexual health for young people, including professional resources.

Education For Choice: factual information on abortion and further resources for discussing pregnancy choices.

FPA: information on sexual and reproductive health, including detailed information on contraception and the Find a Clinic tool which gives information on local sexual health services.

British Association for Adoption and Fostering: further information on adoption and fostering in the UK.

Department for Education SRE Guidance: statutory guidance for teaching about sex and relationships.

Conception Statistics: The Office for National Statistics collects data on conceptions, including those for young people 18 and under.