To be a teen mom is to straddle two worlds. The work of completing your education and launching into adult life doesn't go away. It still has to be done. But at the same time you have to focus on the physical, emotional and financial needs of your child. It's a lot to ask of yourself and of the father.
Deciding to Conceive
Ideally the first stage of pregnancy, at any age, is a conscious and deliberate process of preparing your body, your relationship, your financial resources and your mind for the task of raising a healthy, secure and confident human being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage women considering having a baby to begin preparing long in advance. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, begin by deciding, together with the potential father of the child, if this is the best time for each of you to begin parenting. If you decide that it is not, then continue to use contraception to prevent an unintentional pregnancy.
Preparing to Conceive
CDC guidelines encourage all women to schedule a preconception visit with a Certified Nurse Midwife or Obstetrician at least one year before stopping effective contraception for a complete preconception physical. This will allow time for correcting your weight, having any needed tests and bringing your immunizations up to date. Test for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, hypothyroidism and diabetes and have follow-up visits to make sure any problems discovered are corrected before you conceive.
Being overweight is a high risk factor in pregnancy, according to the American College of Gynecologists and Gynecologists or ACOG, so take the time you need to achieve a healthy body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9. Also ACOG advises that you start taking folic acid and prenatal vitamins at least three months before you stop contracepting to lower your future child's risk of congenital malformations. (see reference two)
Deciding Whether to Parent
Even if you made a conscious decision to become pregnant and prepared carefully for conception, the reality of seeing that positive test result can bring about many emotions. Three choices regarding your management of pregnancy are protected by federal law in the United States. You can decide to parent your child, to make an adoptive placement or to terminate the pregnancy. Regardless of your decision, seek medical care as early as possible but no later than five weeks after your missed period.
Taking Care
If you are going to continue the pregnancy, keep on taking your prenatal vitamins and avoid all substances that could harm your unborn child, including alcohol, nicotine from cigarettes and all illegal drugs. Make sure any supplements or prescription medications you are taking are safe for use in pregnancy by checking each one with a pharmacist. Avoid all sources of excessive heat including hot tubs and saunas
Your diet during pregnancy will contribute to your child's physical strength and his intellectual capacity, so choose foods that have a high nutrient value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises that you avoid raw meat, raw eggs and unpasteurized cheese and milk and that you wash vegetables well to avoid bacterial contamination that could harm the developing child.
Taking Charge
The final part of managing the early part of pregnancy as a teen involves putting in place your plan to provide for your child's needs. If you start this before you conceive or in the first few months of pregnancy it will allow you to relax and enjoy the experience of being pregnant.
Securing your college education is an important way to provide for your baby. Although going to a two-year college may seem cheaper, only four-year colleges offer on-campus housing for couples and parents. With a bachelor's degree, your income will, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, average about one million dollars more than with a high school diploma over the course of your working life--a worthwhile investment for your child's life.
The children of young parents need and deserve safety, stability and security just as much as any other boy or girl. Reach out for support as you responsibly strive to meet those goals.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Preconception Care
- American College of Obstetricians and Gyncologists: Good Health Before Pregnancy
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Safely During Pregnancy
- "Journal of the National Assocation of Financial Aide Associations"; Financial Value of a Higher Education; Mark Kantrowitz; 2007
