Teen Pregnancy: What to Do
Teen pregnancy is a serious issue that can have a profound impact on the lives of both the young mother and her child. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 750,000 teenagers in the United States become pregnant each year. While teen pregnancy rates have declined in recent years, they remain higher than in many other developed countries.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to teen pregnancy, including:
- Lack of access to comprehensive sex education
- Poverty
- Peer pressure
- Family instability
Teen pregnancy can have a number of negative consequences for both the mother and the child. For the mother, teen pregnancy can increase the risk of:
- Dropping out of school
- Living in poverty
- Experiencing health problems
- Having a child with low birth weight or premature birth
For the child, teen pregnancy can increase the risk of:
- Being born prematurely or with low birth weight
- Experiencing developmental delays
- Living in poverty
If you are a teenager who is pregnant, it is important to know that you are not alone. There are a number of resources available to help you during this time. Here are some things you can do:
- Talk to your parents or another trusted adult. This can be a difficult conversation, but it is important to have someone you can talk to about what you are going through.
- Get prenatal care. Prenatal care is important for both you and your baby. It can help to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy and that your baby is born healthy.
- Consider your options. There are a number of options available to you if you are pregnant, including:
- Keeping the baby
- Placing the baby for adoption
- Having an abortion
- Make a decision that is right for you. This is a personal decision, and there is no right or wrong answer. It is important to weigh all of your options and make the decision that is best for you and your baby.
If you are a parent of a teenager who is pregnant, it is important to be supportive and understanding. Here are some things you can do:
- Talk to your teenager about what they are going through. Let them know that you are there for them and that you will support them no matter what.
- Help your teenager get prenatal care. Prenatal care is important for both your teenager and her baby. It can help to ensure that they have a healthy pregnancy and that the baby is born healthy.
- Respect your teenager’s decision. This is a personal decision, and it is important to respect your teenager’s choice.
Teen pregnancy is a serious issue, but it is important to remember that there is help available. If you are a teenager who is pregnant, or if you are the parent of a teenager who is pregnant, there are resources available to help you through this difficult time.
Additional Resources
- The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: https://www.thenationalcampaign.org/
- The Guttmacher Institute: https://www.guttmacher.org/
- Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the signs and symptoms of pregnancy? Some of the most common signs and symptoms of pregnancy include:
- Missed period
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Tender breasts
- Frequent urination
- How can I prevent teen pregnancy? There are a number of things you can do to prevent teen pregnancy, including:
- Get comprehensive sex education
- Use contraception
- Avoid peer pressure
- Talk to your parents or another trusted adult about your concerns
- What are the risks of teen pregnancy? Teen pregnancy can increase the risk of a number of health problems for both the mother and the child. Some of the most common risks include:
- Dropping out of school
- Living in poverty
- Experiencing health problems
- Having a child with low birth weight or premature birth
- What are my options if I am pregnant? If you are pregnant, you have a number of options, including:
- Keeping the baby
- Placing the baby for adoption
- Having an abortion
- How can I get help if I am pregnant? There are a number of resources available to help you if you are pregnant. Some of the most common resources include:
- Your parents or another trusted adult
- Your doctor or other healthcare provider
- A local pregnancy center
- A national hotline, such as the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy