Outline:

I. Introduction

II. Teenage Pregnancy

A. Concerns about Teenage Pregnancy
1. Concerns for the mother
2. Concerns for your baby
3. Concerns for the father

B. What helps prevent Teen Pregnancy

C. Source of Advice and Support

III. Stages of Pregnancy

A. First Trimester
B. Second Trimester
C. Third Trimester

IV. Challenges of Teenage Parenthood

A. Parenthood Options
B. Financial Problems

V. Conclusion

Introduction:
Teenage pregnancy has become a wide spread norm for teenagers to
have babies, especially along the central coast. While some teenagers may claim
there are many benefits to having a child at such a young age, I strongly
disagree with them. Their motives are selfish and not well thought out. For
several reasons young teens feel that having a child at this age is necessary. The
most common reason is the teenage mother feels that by having a baby the
father must stay with her. In addition, even if they had a selfless motive their
mentally and economically unable to take proper care of an infant in a suitable
manner. How can someone that is still dependent on his or her own parents take
care of a child of his or her own?
A lot of teens claim they are ready to have a child, but dont realizes the many
difficulties and responsibilities to raising a child. Teenagers today have this
mentality that they are unstoppable and that they can handle things on their own,
when in reality they can't. Its usually the teens between the ages of 14-18 who
have this ignorant mentality. They feel that they are mature enough to live on
their own; and adult enough to make these kind of decisions, but they arent.
They make decisions and find themselves in a position that they cannot escape.
Reality hits them when its too late. They realize what they are missing out on as
a teenager and realize they made a really bad decision. When it come to bringing

a child into the world, people need to make sure that it is the smartest decision
for everyone in the situation. By trying to show people that they were a mature
adult, they have brought an innocent child in to the world and realize the harsh
realities of being a parent at such a young age.
Concerns about Teenage Pregnancy:
1. Concerns for the Mother
Teens are at a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure
(preeclampsia) and its complications, than older mothers. Risk for the baby
include premature birth and low birth weight. Preeclampsia can also harm the
kidneys or even be fatal for mother or baby.
Pregnant teens also have a higher chance of becoming anemic. Anemia is
a reduction in the number of red blood cells. This can make you feel weak and
tired and can affect your babys development.
Giving birth in the United States is safer than ever, but it is still more
dangerous for a teen than for a woman 20 or older. According to Save the
Children, each year 50,000 teen mothers around the world die during pregnancy
or childbirth.
If you get pregnant as a teen, you might feel frightened and worried about
telling your family and friends. Not talking to someone and not getting the help

and support your need, can make you feel more isolated and depressed. This
can lead to problems in home and at school.
Many pregnant teens drop out of school, and some never complete their
education. That means a lot of mothers who get pregnant as teenagers live in
poverty. Women who first got pregnant as teens are more likely to have more
than one child. A woman with little education and multiple children to care for will
find it very difficult to earn a living.
2. Concerns for Your Baby
A healthy pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. A baby that is delivered before 37
weeks of pregnancy is premature. Teen mothers are more likely to give birth to
premature babies. Sometimes, these babies lack complete development in their
bodies and brains. Depending on how premature the baby is, this can lead to
lifelong difficulties with health and development.
Premature babies also tend to be underweight. Underweight babies might
have trouble breathing and feeding as infants. As adults, underweight babies are
more susceptible to diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Low birth
weight also affects brain development. A study published in The New England
Journal of Medicine in 2002 concluded that people who were born underweight
had learning problems into adulthood.

Infants born to mothers under the age of 20 have a greater risk of dying in
their first year compared with babies born to mothers over 20.

3. Concerns for the Father

Fathering a child as a teenager can be a frightening and lifechanging event. Teen fathers dont have to worry about the health implications of
pregnancy and childbirth, but they could face similar difficulties staying in school
and earning a living.
State laws vary on the legal age for people to have sexual intercourse.
Arrest or legal action against teens who are sexually active can have devastating
effects. A young man may be required to register as a sex offender if he has
reached the legal age (e.g., 18 in some states) and his partner has not (e.g., 17).

Categories of Prevention

Most teen pregnancy prevention programs have emphasized education,

skills, abstinence, and access to contraception. However, the definition of what
constitutes teen pregnancy prevention is best expanded to include activities that
seek to instill teens with confidence and a sense of the future. This speaks to
motivation to avoid pregnancy, a critical element in a pregnancy-free
adolescence.
Many different kinds of programs exist to help teens avoid pregnancy. They can
be divided into several categories:
education for teens about sex, relationships, pregnancy, and parenthood;
reproductive health services for teens;
programs to strengthen teens' bonds with family and community;
youth development and school-to-career programs;
media campaigns; and
Multiple component campaigns.
Source of Advice and Support
Keeping the lines of communication open:
Family Lives encourages parents to show that they are there
for their teenagers, ready to listen and talk when their child wants to.

Once the lines of communication are opened up, it will be much

easier to talk openly about sexual relationships and to give easy to
understand messages on contraception and the importance of safe
sex.
Research shows that when children have been told about sex
and relationships from an early age, especially by their parents, they
will be more likely to delay sexual activity and when they do form a
sexual relationship, will be confident enough to discuss
contraception with their partners and ensure they have safe sex.
That said, teenage pregnancy is a reality and some parents may find
themselves. If your teenager or their partner is pregnant, or if you
want to prepare for this eventuality, weve provided some information
to help you give them as much support as possible.
Supporting your teen:
This is a time when your teen needs your support the most. Youll
need the opportunity to adjust too and possibly help to sort out your
feelings. Whats most important, though, is to stay calm and keep talking
to your teen. If your child has come to you with this news, its important to
see it as a positive step as it means they want your support and help. A
young person in that situation doesnt necessarily have to come and talk to
their parent; they can have a confidential conversation about their sexual

health and get treatment, even if theyre under 16, without their parents
consent.
Many young people avoid telling their parents because theyre
frightened of their reaction and often say My parents will kill me but what
they dont realise is that once their parents have got over the initial shock;
almost all will give their children the help they need.Its absolutely crucial
that parents are as supportive as possible. Young mums and dads-to-be
can end up trying to cope in very difficult situations and if a rift develops
between them and their parents over the pregnancy. It will cause
unnecessary strain on family relationships and possible rifts.
Its most important for your child to feel that they can confide in
someone. Unfortunately, fear of telling anyone means some young people
dont admit theyre pregnant until very late. In some cases they are even
denying it as they are wheeled into the delivery room. This can lead to all
kinds of health problems for the mum and the baby.
Stages of Pregnancy:
First trimester (week 1-week 12)
During the first trimester your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal
changes affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes can

trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping
is a clear sign that you are pregnant. Other changes may include:
Extreme tiredness
Tender, swollen breasts. Your nipples might also stick out.
Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness)
Cravings or distaste for certain foods
Mood swings
Constipation (trouble having bowel movements)
Need to pass urine more often
Headache
Heartburn
Weight gain or loss
As your body changes, you might need to make changes to your daily
routine, such as going to bed earlier or eating frequent, small meals. Fortunately,
most of these discomforts will go away as your pregnancy progresses. And some

women might not feel any discomfort at all! If you have been pregnant before,
you might feel differently this time around. Just as each woman is different, so is
each pregnancy.

Second trimester (week 13-week 28)

Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first.
But it is just as important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these
months.
You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away.
But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your
abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is
over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!
o As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you
may have:
o Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
o Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
o Darkening of the skin around your nipples
o A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline

o Patches of darker skin usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose or

upper lip. Patches often match on both sides of the face. This is
sometimes called the mask of pregnancy.
o Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
o Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet.(Call your
doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or
fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious
liver problem.)
o Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any
sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really
quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign
of preeclampsia.)

Third trimester (week 29-week 40)

You're in the home stretch! Some of the same discomforts you had in your
second trimester will continue. Plus, many women find breathing difficult and
notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. This is because the
baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry,
your baby is fine and these problems will lessen once you give birth.
Some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include:
Shortness of breath

 Heartburn
Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or
extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your
doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
Hemorrhoids
Tender breasts, which may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum (kuhLOSS-struhm)
Your belly button may stick out
Trouble sleeping
The baby "dropping", or moving lower in your abdomen
Contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labor
As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called
effacing). This is a normal, natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to
open during the birthing process. Your doctor will check your progress with a
vaginal exam as you near your due date.
Challenges of Teenage Parenthood:
1. Health Issues - The March of Dimes notes that pregnant teens are more
likely to suffer complications during pregnancy. Their babies are more likely
to experience premature birth, low birth weight or other serious health
problems. These issues put babies at a greater risk of suffering newborn
health problems, disability or death.

2. Schooling - Teen parents often find that caring for a child makes it difficult for
them to continue their schooling. According to StayTeen.org, more than half of teen
mothers never graduate from high school, and fewer than 2 percent have graduated
from college by the time theyre 30. This problem is not confined to teen mothers: as
the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy notes, research
suggests that teen fathers also do not receive as much education as their peers.
3. Relationships - Pregnancy and parenting can strain the relationships between
teen parents. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned
Pregnancy, eight out of 10 teen fathers do not marry the mother of their first child.
Becoming a teen parent also seems to have long-term implications for marriage: in
comparison to people who did not have babies as teens, teen parents are
significantly less likely to be married by the age of 35.
4. Depression - According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry, depression is common among pregnant teens. Teen parents may feel
guilty or anxious about the future. Teen parents are also more likely to subject their
children to abuse and neglect because they feel overwhelmed by their unfamiliar,
ever-demanding roles as parents
5. Childrens Success - Teen parents also face problems in regards to the
success of their children. Children born to teen parents earn lower standardized test
scores and are more likely to drop out of high school. According to StayTeen.org,
daughters born to teen mothers are three times as likely to also become teen
mothers, while sons are twice as likely to go to prison.
Parenthood Options:

If you're pregnant, you have three options abortion, adoption, and parenting.
Abortion
Abortion is a legal and safe procedure that ends a pregnancy. People have many
different feelings after an abortion: relief, grief, sadness, happiness, or all of these at
once. But there is no right way to feel. Abortion does not cause long-term
depression or mental health problems.
Many teens want to talk with their parents before having an abortion. Some
states make you tell a parent if youre having an abortion (if youre under 18), and
others dont.
Adoption
Some women choose to let another family raise their baby. Many women who
choose this option feel happy knowing that their child will live in a good, loving
home. But others find that the loss and sadness is deeper and longer lasting than
they expected.
Adoption laws are different in every state, so if you choose this option its a good
idea to do some research and talk with someone at an adoption agency. And find out
what rights a birth father has in your state the law may say that he needs to agree
to the adoption, too.
Parenting

Being a parent can be a wonderful experience. A child can bring joy into people's
lives. But, being a teen parent is often very difficult.
Some teens have to drop out of school and change their career plans in order to
raise a child. Spending time with a child becomes more important than going out
with friends and having fun. Some teens get help from parents and family, and some
dont. Raising a child without a partner can be even more of a challenge many
teen couples who have a baby dont end up staying together.
Financial Problems:
Medical Care
Teenage mothers face a lot of issues when it comes to financially supporting
medical care. If the teenage mother has insurance, her medical problems get
covered, but the baby would need a separate insurance. When the parents dont
have insurance to cover maternity care, the child and the family is burdened to pay
for birth and postpartum care.

Child Care
Child care is not a cheap affair as it may be assumed. A teenage mother is
required to at least be able to take care of minimum wage, which may be difficult for
a mother, who does little or no work, to manage. Besides, even if a teenage mother

does get a job, she wont earn enough to even be close to earning minimum wage
and sustaining herself and the baby.
A teenage mother may be able to avail childcare services by contacting the
local health care department. A lot of states offer childcare services to teenage
mothers and assist them in taking care of themselves and the baby.

Purchasing Baby Accessories

The cost of baby accessories may not seem like a problem initially, but it adds
up sooner or later. Some baby accessories include wet wipes, diapers, ointments,
bottles, pacifiers, formula, etc. In fact, these are only the first few in the list of baby
accessories. Fortunately, there are several programs established to help teen
mothers, who fall below the minimum age requirements, with purchasing basic baby
care accessories. If you are a teenage mother, explore maternity care programs in
your region to help you with the costs of baby care.

Family Burden
Most programs available for the benefit of teenage mothers are based on
income. For instance, if the teenage mothers parents earn more than the minimum

income, the teenage mother may be denied services, thereby leaving the burden of
the costs on the parents.
Teenagers face several hurdles when it comes to dealing with pregnancy and
the resulting baby. By using additional services and the support of her family, a
teenage mother may be able to overcome the difficult period and believe that she
can survive. Of all the things, what a teenager requires most is the belief that she
can not only be a good parent but also hand the challenges of teenage pregnancy
well.
Conclusion:
If you have just learned that your teen is having a baby, you're probably
experiencing a wide range of emotions, from shock and disappointment to grief and
worry about the future.
Some parents feel a sense of guilt, thinking that if only they'd done more to
protect their child this wouldn't have happened. And although some parents are
embarrassed by their teen's pregnancy and worried about how family, friends, and
neighbors will react, others are happy about the news of a soon-to-be grandchild
especially if the teen is older and in a mature relationship.
Whatever feelings you're experiencing, this is likely to be a difficult time for
your family. The important thing is that your teen needs you now more than ever.
Being able to communicate with each other especially when emotions are running
high is essential. Teens that carry a baby to term have special health concerns, and

your daughter will have a healthier pregnancy emotionally and physically if she
knows she doesn't have to go it alone.
So what can you do as the parent of a teen having a baby? Recognize your
feelings and work through them so that you can accept and support her. Does that
mean you don't have the right to feel disappointed and even angry? No. Such
reactions are common. You might have a strong flood of emotions to deal with,
especially at first. But the reality of the upcoming baby means that you'll have to get
beyond your initial feelings for the sake of your daughter and her child.
If you need help coping with your feelings about the situation, talk to someone you
trust or seek professional counseling. A neutral third party can be a great resource at
a time like this.
As a parent, you need to think about your own level of involvement and
commitment and discuss it with your teen. How much support financial and
otherwise are you willing and able to offer? Will your daughter and her child live with
you? Will you help pay for food, clothing, doctor visits, and necessary items like a
car seat and stroller? Can you assist with childcare while your she's at school and/or
work? A social worker or counselor can help you and your teen sort through some of
these issues.
If at all possible, it's best for girls who are pregnant to finish school so they
can get better jobs and create a better life for themselves and their babies. This is
no easy task 60% to 70% of all pregnant teens drop out of school. And going back

after quitting is especially hard, so try to offer your daughter the support she needs
to stay in school both she and the baby will benefit. Check for school and community
programs that offer special services for teen mothers, such as childcare,
transportation, or tutoring.
Help your teen understand that as rewarding as having a child is, it isn't
always fun caring for a baby is a huge responsibility and a lifelong commitment.
Prepare her for the reality that she won't have as much time for the things she used
to do that her life is about change and the baby will take priority.
As a parent, you can have a great impact on your teen's life and on her
baby's. You may still wish that she had made different choices. But by supporting
your daughter, making sure she gets good prenatal care, and listening as she
shares her fears and anxieties, both of you may find that you're better parents in the
long run.

REferences