If you're a single mother-to-be by choice or by circumstance, you aren't alone. Over a third of all women (35.7 percent) who gave birth in 2004 were unmarried, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Pregnancy and birth are physically and emotionally challenging experiences. As a single mom, you may also have the added baggage of financial, career, and custody concerns weighing on you. Dealing positively with the stress is important for both your own health and that of your baby.

I'm single, a college student, and pregnant. Where can I turn for financial help?

Some student health insurance programs cover prenatal care and delivery costs, and many schools offer daycare facilities that can help you continue your studies once your baby arrives. Check with your university counseling center for more information. You may also qualify for public aid programs like WIC.

Don't fly solo if you don't have to. Enlist a family member or a close friend to accompany you on prenatal visits, childbirth classes, and during the birth itself. A doula can also be a wonderful source of support for labor and delivery. If possible, make arrangements for a live-in companion for the first few postpartum weeks as well. (See Appendix B for more information on support groups for single mothers.)