The Facts On Teen Pregnancy

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