Can I Go to the OBGYN Without My Parents Knowing?
Teenage pregnancy brings many questions about what comes next. You are not alone. You can talk to someone right now by calling 1-800-ADOPTION for free, unbiased support.
A visit to an OBGYN will get you the medical care you need to help shape your decision-making process moving forward. If you don’t want anyone to know about your potential pregnancy, know that you can go to the OBGYN without your parents.
Use this form to find out more about how to go to an OBGYN without your parents knowing.
Can I Go to the OBGYN Without My Parents?
Yes, you can go to the OBGYN without your parents.
An OBGYN will confirm your pregnancy if you’re unsure. If you are sure about your pregnancy, you can also contact an OBGYN for prenatal care.
If you need prenatal care, know that each state has different laws when it comes to minors consenting to prenatal care.
Depending on where you are or will be for your pregnancy, it’s important to understand your state’s laws. In Iowa, there is no policy explicitly allowing unmarried minors to consent to prenatal care. Iowa does have a general law that gives married minors the same rights as adults.
Do You Need a Parent to Go to the OBGYN?
38 states have a law regarding your ability to access prenatal care. North Dakota is the only one of the 38 states that requires parental consent during all prenatal visits except one during the second and third trimesters.
Do Doctors Have to Tell Parents if Minors Are Pregnant?
Out of those 38 states, 15 of them allow physicians to inform your parents that you are seeking or receiving prenatal care if it’s in your best interest to alert them. 12 of these states have no explicit policy on your ability to consent to prenatal care.
How to Go to OBGYN Without Parents Knowing
37 states explicitly allow some minors to consent to prenatal care.
Of those 37 states:
-
30 states allow all minors to consent to prenatal care
-
Three states require you to be a specific age before you can consent to prenatal care
-
Four states allow a minor who is determined to be mature enough to understand the nature and consequences of prenatal care to receive it.
If you want to keep things private but need unbiased support, call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak to someone. You can also contact us online to learn more about how to go to the OBGYN without your parents knowing.
Will My Doctor Tell My Parents I’m Pregnant?
When you go to an OBGYN, you should ask about their privacy policies. Typically, doctors must adhere to medical privacy regulations that determine if a doctor can tell your parents you’re pregnant.
How to Find Out if OBGYN Accepts My Parent's Insurance
It all depends on the plan your parents have.
A small group plan from your parent’s employer or health care plan they purchased outside of the marketplace requires the plan to cover your prenatal care and delivery.
A large group plan from your parent’s employer, however, only requires the plan to cover your prenatal care but not the costs of delivery or other aspects of the process.
If you use your parent’s insurance, the expenses will be listed on the medical bill or explanation of benefits, so if you haven’t told your parents yet about your pregnancy, know that this will inform them.
Generally, your parent's plan will not cover your child as a dependent, so you will need to obtain coverage for the baby once they are born if that’s the route you choose.
Who Can I Call if I’m Pregnant in Iowa?
If you are pregnant and need someone to talk to in Iowa, you are not alone.
-
Iowa HHS Family Planning Program – 1-800-369-2229
-
Your Life Iowa – 1-855-581-8111
-
Pregnancy Resources – 1-563-386-3737
American Adoptions of Iowa
By contacting us; we can help you work through figuring out how to go to an OBGYN without your parents knowing. Our Iowa office is located at:
Davenport, IA 52807
1-800-ADOPTION
If you confirm your pregnancy and aren’t ready to become a parent, know that you have options.
It’s ultimately your decision to make, but adoption is always an option, no matter what your circumstances are. Choosing adoption means:
-
A loving family for your baby
-
Help with rent and bills
-
A brighter future for you and your baby
And choosing adoption with us means getting all the support you need, including:
-
Financial assistance for medical and living expenses
-
Help to create a personalized adoption plan
-
A variety of adoptive families to choose from
-
References to legal representation and additional professionals
-
And more
Adoption is a brave, selfless decision to put the best interests of your baby first. It’s heroic.
Call 1-800-ADOPTION to get free unbiased support about your options or fill out our form to learn more about the benefits of adoption.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
