1. Teen Sexual Health and Pregnancy Options
Illinois State Law and Your Health

2. What is a Minor? Someone under the age of 18 years-old
A minor may consent to medical treatment if:
The minor is legally married
The minor is a parent
The minor is pregnant
The minor has been legally emancipated
Age of Sexual Consent: 17 years-old
Notes: A minor is someone who is under the age of 18. Illinois law requires a minor who seeks medical treatment to obtain consent, or permission, from a parent or legal guardian. However, there are several important exceptions to this rule. A minor can give consent for medical treatment if they are legally married, are a parent, are pregnant, or if they have been legally emancipated. Emancipation is when a minor between the ages of has been given legal independence from their parents or guardians. We will talk about what specific health-related services minors can consent to in the coming slides.
A minor who is 17 years and older can give sexual consent.

3. Being a Minor Affects Your Sexual and Reproductive Health Care!

4. As a Minor You May… Without parental consent.
Receive medical treatment in an emergency
Receive treatment for drug or alcohol abuse*
Notes: As a minor you may:
Receive emergency medical treatment, specifically health care services and evidence collection related to assault or abuse.
Receive treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, though providers are encouraged, where appropriate, to involve a minor’s family with the minor’s consent.
Without parental consent.
Without parental consent.

5. As a Minor You May… Without parental consent.
Be tested and treated for STIs*
Be tested for HIV anonymously*
Get a prescription for birth control
Buy condoms
Get a pregnancy test at the store or clinic
Notes: As a minor you may…
Be tested and treated for STIs, however providers must report incidents of STIs to the health department and are encouraged to notify the parents/guardians where appropriate with the minor’s consent.
Be tested for HIV anonymously, however providers must report positive results to the health department and are encouraged to notify the parents/guardians where appropriate with the minor’s consent if they have been unsuccessful in persuading the minor to do so.
Get a RX for birth control, from a physician
Buy condoms
Get a pregnancy test at a store or at a clinic
Without parental consent.
Without parental consent.

6. As a Minor You May… Without parental consent.
Receive pregnancy counseling
Receive prenatal care
Consent to health services associated with sexual assault- including pregnancy testing, STI testing and treatment, counseling and emergency contraception(Plan B)*
Notes: As a minor you may…
Receive pregnancy counseling
Receive prenatal care
Consent to health services associated with sexual assault. If provider has reason to believe the abuse is the result of a parent/guardian the provider will report to DCFS.
Without parental consent.
Without parental consent.

7. As a Minor You May… Get a prescription for emergency contraception*
Receive information about how to get emergency contraception after a sexual assault, even if the hospital does not offer it.
Note:
In Illinois you may buy emergency contraception(Plan B) over the counter after you turn 17.
Notes: As a minor you may…
Get a RX for emergency contraception. Peoples years of age need a prescription. 17+ can purchase EC over the counter.
Receive information about how to get emergency contraception after a sexual assault, even if the hospital does not offer it.

8. Pregnancy Options for All Women
Any pregnant woman has three options:
Abortion
Adoption
Parenting

9. Abortion
A safe and legal medical or surgical procedure that terminates a pregnancy

10. Medical Abortion A medicine that ends a pregnancy.
Can be used up to 9 weeks after the first day of the woman’s last period.
Requires a visit to a clinic, Planned Parenthood, or your personal medical provider
discuss your options (counseling)
talk about your medical history
have laboratory tests
have a physical exam
read and sign papers

11. Medical Abortion Step 1 – “The abortion pill”-Mifepristone
Taken at the clinic
Blocks progesterone so the lining of the uterus breaks down and the pregnancy cannot continue.
Step 2 – Misoprostol
Taken hours after “the abortion pill”
Causes the uterus to contract and empty
Can cause heavy bleeding, cramps, and other side effects
Step 3- Follow up with a medical provider
Source:

12. Surgical (In-Clinic) Abortion
A procedure performed by a physician or advanced practice nurse in a clinic that terminates a pregnancy
Usually performed in the first 16 weeks for pregnancy
Requires a visit to a clinic, Planned Parenthood, or your personal medical provider
discuss your options
talk about your medical history
have laboratory tests
have a physical exam
read and sign papers

13. Surgical (In-clinic) Abortion
Aspiration (most common)
Performed up to 13 weeks of pregnancy
Takes 5-10 minutes to complete
A speculum is placed in the vagina
The cervix may be numbed with local medication
Cervix is gently dilated
A slender tube is inserted through the opening in the cervix and into the uterus
A handheld suction or suction machine empties the uterus

14. Abortion Very safe – 0.5% chance of complications
In Illinois it is legal to receive an abortion up to 23.5 weeks of pregnancy
Abortions after 16 weeks require two clinic visits.
Consider cultural, religious, family, and personal influences.
Side effects from sedation may include flu like symptoms, some women experience bleeding in following days.

15. Minors and Abortions
Illinois law requires that a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian be notified of a minor’s decision to have an abortion.
Permission is NOT required OR
A minor may seek permission from a judge for an abortion
Notes: Any clinic that provides abortion services must notify the parents, grandparents or legal guardians of a minor who comes to the clinic seeking an abortion. The parent, grandparents or legal guardians do not need to give permission, however they must be notified.

16. Adoption
The biological mother carries the pregnancy and gives birth to a baby. The baby is then legally given to another family to care for.

17. Adoption
Open adoption – the birth mother remains a part of the baby’s life. She may be allowed to visit or keep in contact with her child.
Closed adoption- the birth mother’s identity is hidden and there is no relationship with the child.
ALL adoptions should take place using a certified adoption agency

18. Adoption – birthfather rights
The birthfather has all parental rights until he relinquishes his rights or they are terminated by the court.
However, the birthfather may not be allowed to see the baby in the hospital, depending on the mother’s wishes.

19. Parenting
Minors have the right to parent-Title IX protects these rights at school.*
Talk to a parent, guardian, counselor, trusted adult, and your partner
Think critically about the decision-emotional, psychological and financial consequences and obligations
Seek prenatal care (or encourage your partner to seek prenatal care) if you may continue the pregnancy
Notes: Minors also have the right to be a parent. Teen parents should understand the emotional, psychological and financial consequences and obligations of parenting. In making this decision, teens should speak with a parent, guardian, counselor, trusted adult and/or partner. The decision should be thought about carefully and a plan should be in place to seek prenatal care.
*Title IX prohibits:
Discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from these conditions
Applying a rule to a student’s prenatal, family or marital status that treat's students differently based on their sex
Excluding a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational program
Supports are available through the CPS Homebound Coordinator for pregnant students.
Resources for childcare options can be found through Chicago Childcare through chicagoearlylearning.org or by calling the Chicago: Ready to Learn! Hotline.
If a student feels they are being discriminated against or mistreated, they can contact the CPS Equal Opportunity Compliance Office.

20. Parenting- What to Ask
Am I ready to help a child feel wanted and loved?
Am I ready to cope with a tighter budget, less time for myself, and more stress?
Do I have the support of family and friends?
Am I ready to accept responsibility for all my child's needs?
Would I prefer to have a child at another time?
Is anyone pressuring me to continue or end the pregnancy?
How do I feel about other women who have children from unplanned pregnancies?
Can I afford to have a child?
What would it mean for my future and my family's future if I had a child now?
How important is it to me what other people will think about my decision?
Can I handle the experience of pregnancy and raising a child?
Notes: In making the decision to be a teen parent consider the following questions.

21. Safe Surrender Illinois Safe Haven Law
A parent may hand a newborn (30 days old or younger) to any personnel at a hospital, police station, or fire station and not be charged with abandonment.
The baby will be taken to the nearest hospital for a health exam and medical care.
If the parent does not return within 60 days, their parental rights will be terminated and the baby will be placed for adoption.

22. What to Ask Before receiving testing or treatment ask:
Can I get services at your office without my parents’ permission?
Can my parents have access to my records?
Will my parents see the bill?
Can I pay cash?

23. Get More Information Talk to someone you trust Call a hotline
hotlines
Call your local clinic
Advocate: Get informed and tell your friends.