Becoming pregnant and having a child is a huge responsibility at any age, but discovering you're pregnant when you're still a teenager can feel earth shattering. Before you became pregnant, your main concerns centered on studying for finals and finishing school, but now you are responsible for two lives. You may feel overwhelmed by these changes, but knowing what to expect and understanding your options can reduce some anxiety.
Statistics
Approximately three in 10 females becomes pregnant before age 20, and in 2006, over 10 percent of all U.S. births were to women under age 20, according to the March of Dimes. Of these births, around 67 percent were to women who were 18 and 19. Also, one in four mothers under age 18 has a second baby within two years of giving birth to a first baby, and teenage mothers are more likely to give birth prematurely than mothers over age 20.
Staying Healthy
Getting adequate prenatal care and making healthy lifestyle choices can increase a teen's chances of giving birth to a healthy baby. The March of Dimes recommends that all women, including teens, who may get pregnant take a multivitamin that contains folic acid as a dietary supplement to reduce the risk of giving birth to a baby with brain and spinal cord birth defects. Taking a multivitamin, however, won't fully compensate for unhealthy choices. Smoking and being around secondhand smoke increase the risk for low birth weight, pregnancy complications, premature birth and sudden infant death syndrome. Drinking and using illicit drugs can cause birth defects and limit fetal growth. Moreover, taking prescription drugs without physician guidance can also cause harm to a fetus.
Normal Emotions
Chances are, you have mixed emotions about having a baby in your teen years. You may have external pressures from your family members to keep a baby, but you secretly wish you could have an abortion or put the baby up for adoption once you give birth. Or perhaps you want to keep the baby, but your parents and boyfriend are urging you to terminate the pregnancy. Your feelings are completely normal. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, pregnant teenagers may experience a wide range of emotions, from dread and depression to feeling a sense of achievement.
Making a Decision
If you have recently discovered you are pregnant and you aren't sure about how to take the next step, many systems are available to help you make a decision and support you through the duration of your pregnancy. Outside counsel can help you come to terms with what you are feeling and aid you in making the best decision possible. Contact the American Pregnancy Helpline for a free and confidential consultation.
Long-Term Consequences
Teenage mothers and their children may have more difficult lives than others, particularly when teenage mothers have no outside assistance from family members. According to the March of Dimes, only 40 percent of teens who have children prior to age 18 finish high school, compared to 75 percent of teens of similar backgrounds who don't give birth until ages 20 or 21. Lack of education and job skills can make teen mothers dependent on public assistance; 75 percent of unmarried teen mothers go on welfare within five years of giving birth to their first child. However, some communities offer resources, such as high schools with built-in daycare centers, that help teen mothers continue their education and increase their chances of being successful. The National Crittenton Foundation and About Second Chance Homes offer services that help you find these resources in your area.
