| It is a fact that many people are | | | | or the children of teen parents, |
| pleased to discover that teen pregnancy | | | | statistics do show that children who are |
| rates are falling. However, there are | | | | the result of a teen pregnancy are less |
| still approximately one million teenage | | | | likely to receive the health care they |
| girls who will discover they are | | | | need. This could include social and |
| pregnant just this year alone. Sadly, | | | | cognitive stimulation, general health |
| one teen pregnancy can often be followed | | | | care and nutrition. In addition, |
| by another teen pregnancy. In fact, a | | | | statistics show that males that are born |
| female that experiences a teen pregnancy | | | | to a teen mother are more likely to |
| will have an increased chance of up to | | | | become incarcerated when they are adults |
| 25% of having another pregnancy within | | | | when compared to males who are born to |
| two years of her first delivery. | | | | adult mothers. Girls who are born to a |
| One of the most important issues that | | | | teen mother are more likely to wind up |
| needs to be addressed concerning teen | | | | being teen mothers, too. |
| pregnancy is the importance of educating | | | | There are things that we can do to help |
| pregnant teens about proper eating | | | | the teenagers in our lives. |
| habits. When compared to adult pregnant | | | | First, the lines of communication |
| women, pregnant teens are less likely to | | | | between adults and teenagers should |
| gain an adequate amount of weight during | | | | always be open. Every teen should have |
| their pregnancies. A pregnant female who | | | | at least one adult in their lives that |
| does not gain weight at a steady and | | | | they feel able to confide in and who is |
| moderate pace during her pregnancy may | | | | open to talking about sex, peer pressure |
| have a child that has a low birth | | | | and feelings. |
| weight. If a baby is born with a low | | | | Second, teens should be taught about |
| birth weight, he or she is more | | | | sexual pressure and what to do if they |
| susceptible to a host of health | | | | are being pressured into sexual |
| problems, including underdeveloped | | | | relationships. Help your teen develop |
| organs. | | | | his or her communication skills so that |
| It is highly important that teenage | | | | if they find themselves in an |
| girls who become pregnant receive | | | | uncomfortable sexual situation, he or |
| routine pre-natal care. There are some | | | | she will have the skills to say no. |
| teens that hide their pregnancy and they | | | | Third, you should take a mature stance |
| don't receive the pre-natal care that | | | | and talk to your teenager about |
| they need. Babies who are born to | | | | contraceptives. Make them available |
| mothers who receive little or no | | | | should your teen decide to become |
| pre-natal care are more likely to become | | | | sexually active. |
| ill and die before they reach their | | | | Fourth, it is essential that teenagers |
| first birthday. Unfortunately, teenagers | | | | know and feel that they are loved by the |
| who are pregnant are more likely to | | | | adults in their lives. Unfortunately, |
| smoke, drink and take illicit drugs | | | | many times teenagers turn to sex simply |
| during their pregnancy. Those involved | | | | because they do not feel loved on the |
| in a teen pregnancy should receive | | | | home front. |
| routine pre-natal care and be educated | | | | Fifth, if, despite your best endeavors |
| about the harm that smoking, drinking | | | | your teen does become involved in a teen |
| and illegal drugs pose to their health | | | | pregnancy, you should do everything |
| and especially the health of their | | | | within your power to help guide him or |
| unborn baby. | | | | her every step of the way. Ensure that |
| While there should never be blanket | | | | your teen's health and well being are |
| statements made about a teen pregnancy, | | | | your number one priority. |