15-Year-Old My Becomes a Mother

My Nyström in Sandviken is 15 years old and a mother.

The atmosphere at home in Sandviken is tired. Little Nicole has been active most of the night. My Nyström, 15, sits nursing her daughter while My's mother, Lotta Nyström, 52, announces that the diaper is freshly changed.

"It's pretty much exactly as I thought it would be to have a baby, so far. But I think you have to get used to it a bit more," says My, who became a mother just two weeks ago.

Not a Shock

A year ago, My mostly dreamed of getting an EPA. But when the positive result appeared on the pregnancy test, she wasn't surprised.

"I had felt it for a long time, but didn't dare to buy a test. What if someone saw me or it showed on the receipt," says My, who previously shared her pregnancy story with Gefle Dagblad.

After a vacation abroad, when it became clear that something was indeed growing in her belly, My went to the midwife and got it confirmed.

She had already considered what she would do.

"At first, I thought about abortion because I wondered how I could take care of my child. But then I realized I would regret it if I had an abortion. So I decided not to do it, but maybe to give the baby up for adoption when it was born, or keep it."

My shares that her boyfriend has always been supportive.

"When I said I wanted to keep the baby, he said he would always support me and her."

It took a day from the positive test before My told her family, who were shocked.

"It felt difficult. But it worked out in the end, though they were very upset, to say the least," says My.

"My close friends have only been supportive. Others have said that I'm losing my youth."

"Will Always Put My First"

Lotta recalls:

"We talked about abortion. But then I listened to My and noticed that she had really thought a lot and long about this. Then I had to think 'okay, now we are here.'"

It has been difficult for some around to accept My's decision, and Lotta feels that relationships have changed.

"I have lost people in my life because I have chosen to support My in her decision. But it's worth it. I will always put My first," says Lotta.

During the pregnancy, My felt more nauseous than expected, and due to her age, she had many doctor visits to ensure the baby wasn't growing too much since My's pelvis isn't fully developed. The family was investigated by social services, and they went to Ullared to buy baby items.

On August 22, Nicole was born—after nine hours of labor at the hospital, My held her daughter in her arms.

"It just felt really good. I was just happy. It really felt like it was the right choice for me. She should be with me."

Returning to School

In a few days, My will start school again—just two weeks after giving birth. She will participate via a robot that attends classes.

"A big motivation I have right now is that I don't want to graduate with those who are a year younger. So I really want to finish ninth grade this year."

Future plans are not entirely clear, but My is considering becoming a professional driver or a farmer. Ideally, she wants to move to the countryside or to Kalmar.

Lotta is not working right now and can help with Nicole when school demands time. And she is quick to help with Nicole regardless.

"My is still my little child. But I see Nicole as the dessert of life. She is wonderful."

My adds:

"But I want to be clear that she is still my child, so people don't step in too much."

Even though it wasn't quite the plan to become such a young mother, My believes there can be advantages to being a young mom—and looks forward to growing together with her daughter.

"I imagine you get a very close bond when you are closer in age. That I will understand her in a different way during her upbringing, because it wasn't long ago that I was there too. But of course, there will be both positive and negative aspects of being as young a mom as I am."