Proposal Could Let Pregnant Teens Direct Health Care

Most states allow minors to consent to pregnancy-related care. But in Indiana, teens cannot legally consent to prenatal, labor and postpartum care, including testing and epidurals.

A bill moving through the legislature would allow pregnant teenagers, who are at least 16, to direct their own care. 

Tracey Wilkinson is a pediatrician. She says young mothers in Indiana can already consent to care for their newborns.

“Because this expectation of their ability to make decisions for their newborn baby already exists, we should trust pregnant adolescents to make decisions regarding their own health care,” Wilkinson says. 

Supporters say the measure could help reduce Indiana’s high infant and maternal mortality rates.

Wilkinson testified in support of the bill. It requires providers attempt to contact a parent or guardian.

“For those rare situations where parental input is not an option or could be detrimental, we should have protections in place to assure that their access to care is not limited because of their fractured relationship,” Wilkinson says.

Indiana is one of 13 states that doesn’t have a minor consent policy. The bill passed a health committee and moves now to the full House.