Navigating Pregnancy Choices wellbeing lesson plan
A senior secondary wellbeing lesson for Years 10 to 13 that helps Australian teachers introduce pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to understand different pregnancy outcomes, consider consent, safety and support pathways, and practise respectful, non-judgmental language for discussing pregnancy choices.
Sex & Relationships Education
Snapshot
Navigating Pregnancy Choices
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage with calm, age-appropriate language. Feedback: 4.4/5 from 27 student responses
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Understanding pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage within a consent led, safety focused framework
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise that pregnancy can have different outcomes, including continuing a pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage
recognise the role of consent, safety and respect in relationships and reproductive health decisions
recognise when a person may need accurate information or support around pregnancy
Understand
understand that decisions about pregnancy can involve emotional, practical and relational considerations
understand why respectful, non-judgmental language matters when discussing pregnancy choices
Practise
practise using respectful language when discussing pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage
practise identifying appropriate support pathways for pregnancy related questions or concerns
practise applying consent and safety principles to discussions about reproductive health
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for senior secondary students in Years 10 to 13 who have some prior understanding of relationships and health education.
It is suitable for:
senior secondary Health or PDHPE lessons
respectful relationships or consent education units
pastoral care, advisory or wellbeing sessions
reproductive health or life skills programs
senior wellbeing and personal development sequences
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing reproductive health topics Use when students need factual, age-appropriate language for pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage.
Extending consent education Use when building on existing learning about consent, boundaries and respectful relationships.
Reinforcing help seeking Use when students need to know where to find accurate information and support around pregnancy related decisions.
Supporting senior Health units Use alongside broader Health or PDHPE learning on reproductive health and decision making.
Preparing for transition Use when students are moving toward further study, work or greater independence and may encounter related decisions.
Creating structured, respectful discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher led approach to a sensitive topic.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students benefit from accurate, age-appropriate information about pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage before they need to apply it in real life. Understanding reproductive health is not only about biology. It also involves consent, respect, safety and knowing where to seek support when facing a difficult decision or situation. The lesson supports informed decision making by helping students build language and confidence for discussing pregnancy related topics respectfully and without judgement.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Health literacy Students build understanding of pregnancy outcomes, including abortion and miscarriage.
Decision making Students consider the emotional, practical and relational factors involved in pregnancy related choices.
Empathy Students consider different experiences and perspectives without making assumptions about others.
Communication skills Students practise respectful, non-judgmental language for a sensitive topic.
Help seeking Students identify where to find accurate information and support.
Respect for boundaries Students apply consent and safety principles to discussions about reproductive health.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to share personal stories or name classmates during discussion
Frame the lesson around general scenarios and factual information rather than personal disclosures
Identify trusted adults and support services students can contact at school
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
During delivery
Use factual, non-graphic language when discussing pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage
Keep the focus on consent, safety, respect and support rather than personal opinions
Allow students to respond through discussion or written reflection depending on comfort
Reinforce that there is no single correct emotional response to pregnancy related topics
Supporting safe discussion
Use privacy focused language rather than promising confidentiality
Encourage students to pass on personal questions to a trusted adult after the lesson
Avoid asking students to speak on behalf of any group or personal experience
Adaptation options
Adjust discussion depth based on students' prior learning in relationships and health education
Use smaller group or paired discussion for students who may find whole class discussion difficult
Provide written reflection options for students who prefer not to speak aloud
Some students may have personal experience of pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage, directly or through family or friends. Keep language calm, factual and non-judgmental throughout.
