I’M PREGNANT AND CONFUSED

Dear Pastor,

I need your advice. I'm 22 years old and I recently found out that I am pregnant. I don't know how old the baby is, but I am planning on visiting the doctor soon. The minute my period was late, I called my boyfriend and told him. I didn't really take it for anything, as I believed my cycle changed. I took the morning-after pills.

I became worried when my period was late for six days and I decided to do a pregnancy test. When I did the pregnancy test and I saw that it was positive, I cried. The thing is, even though I have a job, I don't think I'll be able to take care of a child, and the guy is saying it is up to me to decide what I want.

I'd love to keep my baby. I don't believe in abortion, and this would be my first child. I have so many plans, and I leave in a few months for university abroad.

Pastor, I don't want to terminate my pregnancy but I've no support, and this guy has already made it clear that he doesn't care.

B.H.

Dear B.H.,

You are old enough to know that if a couple has unprotected sex, the woman may get pregnant and that is what happened to you. Regardless of what you say, this man and you have been careless.

You have plans for the future, but you haven't behaved as somebody who would protect your future. You may blame the man, but you are responsible for yourself.

Sometimes when a man wants to have sex with a woman, he may even shed tears. And when he has had the sex, he may laugh. The tears meant nothing. I can only encourage you to carry the pregnancy. It might impede your progress, but you are still young. You can go back to school after you have the baby and pursue your goals and objectives.

Pastor