The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the number of teen pregnancies rose in 2007. During that year there were 445,045 births to women between the ages of 15 and 19 in the United States. Preliminary 2008 stats show a decrease from 2007 by about 3 percent. That is 42.5 births out of every 1,000 girls. Numerous teen pregnancy programs exist in the United States. Most states require licensing to assure quality control.
Hospitals
Most hospitals offer teenage pregnancy programs. They provide nutritional counseling, information on sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and drug and alcohol use. Many offer classes regarding prenatal care, general health, labor and delivery, newborn care and health, and parenting skills. Some assist young mothers with finding financial support. Among those hospitals with programs are Medical University of South Carolina, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and St. Anthony's Central Hospital.
Medical University of South Carolina
171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
843-792-1414
muschealth.com
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian
3959 Broadway
New York, NY 10032
212-305-5437
childrensnyp.org
St. Anthony Central Hospital
4231 W. 16th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
303-629-3511
stanthonycentral.org
Maternity Group Homes
The U.S. Department of Human Health Services, HHS, tells us that maternity group homes have been in existence since the 1800's. Recent welfare reform now requires pregnant teens in receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, to live in an approved housing. This has led to an increase in maternity group homes. Three of the numerous homes across the country are Inwood House in New York, St. Ann's in Maryland, and the Florence Crittenton agencies. They offer counseling, support and schooling in a supportive environment.
Inwood House
114 West 26th Street
New York, NY 10001
212-861-4325
inwoodhouse.com
St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home
4901 Eastern Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20782
301-559-5500
stanns.org
Florence Crittenton League
119 Hall Street
Lowell, MA 01854-9671
978-452-9671
fcleague.org
Teen Pregnancy and Outreach Programs
Teen pregnancy and outreach programs allow teenagers to stay at home while providing them with support and services such as parenting, gynecological and pregnancy counseling and pre and post-natal care. They often offer support for young fathers and for grandparents. Some programs are Franklin County Perinatal Education Center, Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services and Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach Program.
Franklin County Perinatal Education Center
335 South Main Street
Rocky Mount , VA. 24151
540-489-1800
fcpec.org
Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services
3024 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Tucson , AZ 85716
877-882-2881
teenoutreachaz.org
Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach Program
2501 Texas Ave. South
College Station, Texas 77840
979-764-6636
pregnancyoutreach.org
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Teen Birth Rates Rose Again in 2007, Declined in 2008
- St. Anthony Central Hospital: Bloom - Teen Pregnancy Care in Denver
- Medical University of South Carolina: Women's Health: Services: Teenage Pregnancy Program
- Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian: Teenage Adolescent Pregnancy Program
- U.S. Department of Human Health Services: The Implementation of Maternity Group Home Programs
