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Teen Pregnancy

Revision as of 19:47, 29 May 2014 by Admin (Talk | contribs)

The Challenges of Teen Pregnancy

Pregnancy and birth are a challenge for any woman. When it's a teen pregnancy, the challenges multiply.

All the issues that any pregnant woman must consider, such as nutrition, child care, finances, and support, are even more pressing for a teen pregnancy. In addition, many teens will face pressure to end the pregnancy, surrender the baby for adoption, or get married - choices not as commonly faced by pregnant adults. And while all pregnant women must decide how to fit a baby into the fabric of their lives, this becomes even more important for a teen who must still worry about finishing school. Teens also face the challenge of breaking the news to family, friends, and boyfriends, knowing that it is likely to be seen as unwelcome by all concerned.

Physically, teen pregnancy requires some special attention. Prenatal care and excellent nutrition are especially important for a teen who is still growing herself. Many teens will try to avoid gaining weight in hopes of hiding the pregnancy as long as possible, thus putting both themselves and their babies at risk. Prenatal care may also be difficult for teens, perhaps because they are denying the truth of the pregnancy or have no access to care. Yet it is vital that they receive care because teens face a greater risk of high blood pressure, anemia, miscarriage, and premature delivery. They must be taught to recognize the symptoms so they will know when there may be a problem.

Luckily there are a great number of resources available to help guide girls through their pregnancy. With about half a million teens giving birth each year, they are not alone. Nor does having a child make a teen a social outcast as it did in the past. Many schools have programs in place to help teens complete their studies, and some have child care available on site. Guidance counselors will know of programs and classes within the school and the community which are geared toward pregnant teens. The support of school personnel, the teen's parents, and the baby's father are all vital to easing the extra challenges of a teen pregnancy.

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