How to Have “The Talk” With Your Parents
November 7, 2016
It might be uncomfortable to talk to your parent(s) about sex, but research shows that teens who talk to their parents about sex are less likely to become pregnant or contract an STD. With that in mind, you still may wonder how do you even start a conversation about sex?
Consider these tips for having “The Talk” with your parents:
- Know what you want out of the conversation. Do you want advice about a specific situation? Do you want support and reassurance? Do you want medical information? Do you want some answers for questions you have about birth control? Ask specifically for what you want.
- Choose a time when you can be relaxed and not feel hurried.
- Find a place that offers some privacy and minimizes distractions.
- Start with an icebreaker.
- Ask an easy question first, then work your way up to the more awkward things – “When did you start dating?”
- Mention a scene from a movie or a magazine article – “In a movie I saw last week, this character talked about ____, what does that mean?”
- Tell about something your health teacher or the school nurse taught your class – “Our school nurse said we could ask her questions, but I’m too embarrassed. Can I ask you?”
- Admit you are uncomfortable – “I’m really nervous about this, but I want to talk to you.”
- Write down any questions you have before you talk. Maybe handing your parent(s) an index card with a question will be less intimidating for you. At the very least, if your nervous brain goes completely blank, you’ll have notes to help you know what to say.
- End by asking if you can talk more later or ask more questions as they come up. “The Talk” doesn’t have to be a one-time deal. It can be an ongoing, open conversation that will feel a bit less weird each time. And more times than not, your parent(s) will see this as a step of maturity.
What if you really can’t talk to your parents about sex? The Collage team is here to help answer any questions you have and offer support and encouragement. Please give us a call at (308) 234-9880 in Kearney or (308) 675-2217 in Grand Island.
If your girlfriend is facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you're probably wondering about costs and whether insurance will cover it. Before considering the abortion pill, it’s vital that your girlfriend receives an ultrasound. We offer these at no cost with no insurance necessary. She can schedule a free, confidential appointment online at Collage. Can Your Insurance Cover Her? Health insurance covers the policyholder and enrolled dependents. A girlfriend typically isn't a covered dependent on your plan, which means your insurance generally won't pay for her medical care. The exception is if she's been added to your plan as a domestic partner and your employer allows that. Additionally, you may be able to extend insurance coverage to her after marriage if your policy allows this as a qualifying event. However, the chances of insurance covering an elective abortion are unlikely. What About Her Own Insurance in Nebraska? Under Nebraska law , standard health insurance plans in the state cannot cover elective abortion unless the insured purchases a separate abortion rider. Medicaid in Nebraska covers abortion only in limited circumstances. In most cases, the abortion pill in Nebraska will be an out-of-pocket cost. What She Should Know About the Drug The abortion pill uses two drugs. The first, mifepristone , blocks progesterone, a hormone required to sustain the pregnancy. The second, misoprostol , taken a day or two later, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. The FDA approves this drug regimen through 10 weeks of gestation. Nebraska law also requires that the abortion pill be prescribed and administered in person by a physician. Complications can include heavy bleeding, infection , incomplete abortion, and digestive system discomfort. If the drug does not fully end the pregnancy, a follow-up procedure might be required. Getting the Facts First A free ultrasound at Collage confirms your girlfriend’s gestational age, whether the pregnancy is in the uterus, and whether the pregnancy is progressing. An ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy implants outside the uterus) requires different medical treatment than abortion, and could be life-threatening if left untreated. An ultrasound can rule out this complication. Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Collage today. Call: 308.234.9880 in Kearney or 308.675.2217 in Grand Island. *All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing. **Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.
Learn how the abortion pill works and what to expect. Colllage center offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and more. Contact us.
If you're considering abortion, there's one medical step that protects your health before anything else. An ultrasound confirms your pregnancy and provides information that a positive test alone cannot.
