Questions and Answers for Pregnant Teens

6 Questions Answered for a Pregnant Teen

It is not easy being a pregnant teen. If you are a pregnant teen, you may be curious about what to expect in the coming months and what options you have. When you have finished reading this article, you should feel a little more equipped to handle yourself during this time. Here are some answers to questions you may have as a pregnant teen.

Should I tell my parents?

Most women do not want to face a pregnancy alone. As a teen, you most likely need more of a support system as your body is still changing and will continue to change into adulthood. Whether or not your tell your parents about your pregnancy is really your decision, but you may want to think about where you will get that support if not from them. If you feel that you truly can not tell your parents yet, find another trusted adult who can help you in the meantime until you are ready to tell them.

Am I keeping this baby?

Once you find out you are pregnant, you need to decide whether or not you will continue the pregnancy and then whether or not you will keep the baby. Of course, you are ultimately the one who will decide, but it may benefit you to talk to your boyfriend/sexual partner. Some teens may want to maintain the pregnancy and keep the baby, others may choose adoption. Others decide immediately that they will not be able to handle a pregnancy and choose to terminate the pregnancy. No matter which decision you make, you need to be certain that you have given it immense thought and have explored all of your options.

I have heard about Planned Parenthood. How can they help me?

Planned Parenthood offers prenatal care or termination services for pregnant teens. As far as termination services, in most states if you are under 18 you must have parental consent from one or both parents. In some states, a judicial bypass is accepted. Planned Parenthood does not offer counseling services.

What about adoption?

If you decide to have the baby but come to the conclusion that you will not be able to care for it, you can choose to place the baby for adoption. There are many agencies that will help you decide the kind of adoption that is right for you. Again, you should think this through and discuss your options with a trusted adult.

How do I keep myself healthy during this pregnancy?

Most importantly, you must seek prenatal care. You may have been seeing a gynecologist already since you have been sexually active. Many women's care centers offer midwives instead of doctors. If this would make you more comfortable, that is an option as well. Just make sure that you have the appropriate care.

You also want to make sure you are eating nutritious food and that you are staying active. Light exercise and healthy eating throughout your pregnancy will help decrease many of the risks associated with teenage pregnancies.

What are some of the risks faced by pregnant teens?

Pregnant teens are less likely to gain the adequate weight, which leads to low birth weight in the baby. Premature birth is also a risk in teenage pregnancy. A pregnant teen is at more of a risk for other pregnancy complications such as anemia and high blood pressure, and these risks are even greater for teens under 15. In order to avoid many of these risks, you MUST make sure that you acquire adequate prenatal care.

Your next step? Take the information you have just learned and share it with someone you trust. Hopefully, they will help you to make the right decision for you as a pregnant teen.