Pregnancy during college seems to be a topic that remains largely untouched — meaning, no one talks about it, or it can be seen as taboo.
But facts remain: As a college degree rapidly becomes easier and more accessible to mothers via the internet, it is not unlikely that you will encounter a pregnant student at some point.
As the National Institute for Health wrote, “about 40% of young women become pregnant before reaching 20 years of age,” meaning by the time you graduate, you might know someone personally who was pregnant while in school, or you might even become pregnant.
Here is a list of resources within Knoxville and also specific to UT — for those experiencing pregnancy.
Hope Resource Center
Located on Painter Avenue, Hope claims to be Knoxville’s only “holistic reproductive healthcare center for women.” They provide pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, STD testing and general exams for women. Many of their services are free and comply with HIPAA, meaning your information will be kept confidential. Licensed professionals perform tests and exams. Their website includes resources in Spanish.
Catholic Charities of East Tennessee
Becoming a parent can be scary and overwhelming. Catholic Charities of East Tennessee understands this, so they provide parenting classes and material assistance. Attending classes (both moms and dads can join) gets you “credits,” which can be used to buy newborn and toddler essentials, like car seats. They also offer free and confidential services.
CCET also houses a program called Standing with You.
Standing with You
Not sure how to tackle pregnancy with all its ups and downs? Standing with You has a list of tips for pregnant women, specifically those who are also trying to get their degree. Keeping healthy snacks right by your bed in case of a craving, eating lemon ginger candy to scare away the nausea, and getting a few extra hours of sleep each night can make all the difference. Standing with You also ensures that you know your Title IX rights — pregnant women are entitled to the same educational opportunities as other students. This includes keeping your campus housing and any academic or athletic scholarships. Standing with You can be located at 119 Dameron Avenue or visit their website.
The University of Tennessee Medical Center
UT’s medical center specializes in labor and delivery. According to their website, they deliver more babies than any hospital in the region. They suggest pre-registering for your hospital stay online. A helpful resource they offer is a list of items you should pack in your hospital bag, including comfort items specifically for labor. They also offer classes such as Newborn Care, Infant Safety and CPR and Childbirth Prep.
Women’s Health Clinic
The Women’s Health Clinic is another excellent place to check out if you or a friend is expecting. Their staff of licensed professionals works to serve the “gynecologic and reproductive healthcare needs of (the) student population.” They provide cervical cancer screening, preventive health examinations, birth control prescriptions and health counseling, among others. Appointments should be made over the phone in advance. The Women’s Health Clinic is housed within the Student Health Center at 1800 Volunteer Blvd.
As always, reviewing your rights under Title IX is a good idea, and remember that you don’t have to tackle pregnancy, motherhood or fatherhood alone. These resources are only a tiny portion of the help Knoxville has to offer. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
