| It is a fact that many people are pleased to discover | | | | parents, statistics do show that children who are the |
| that teen pregnancy rates are falling. However, there | | | | result of a teen pregnancy are less likely to receive |
| are still approximately one million teenage girls who will | | | | the 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 another | | | | addition, statistics show that males that are born to a |
| teen pregnancy. In fact, a female that experiences a | | | | teen mother are more likely to become incarcerated |
| teen pregnancy will have an increased chance of up | | | | when they are adults when compared to males who |
| to 25% of having another pregnancy within two years | | | | are 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 be | | | | too. |
| addressed concerning teen pregnancy is the | | | | There are things that we can do to help the teenagers |
| importance of educating pregnant teens about proper | | | | in our lives. |
| eating habits. When compared to adult pregnant | | | | First, the lines of communication between adults and |
| women, pregnant teens are less likely to gain an | | | | teenagers should always be open. Every teen should |
| adequate amount of weight during their pregnancies. A | | | | have at least one adult in their lives that they feel able |
| pregnant female who does not gain weight at a | | | | to confide in and who is open to talking about sex, |
| steady and moderate pace during her pregnancy may | | | | peer pressure and feelings. |
| have a child that has a low birth weight. If a baby is | | | | Second, teens should be taught about sexual pressure |
| born with a low birth weight, he or she is more | | | | and what to do if they are being pressured into sexual |
| susceptible to a host of health problems, including | | | | relationships. 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 become | | | | an uncomfortable sexual situation, he or she will have |
| pregnant receive routine pre-natal care. There are | | | | the skills to say no. |
| some teens that hide their pregnancy and they don't | | | | Third, you should take a mature stance and talk to |
| receive the pre-natal care that they need. Babies who | | | | your teenager about contraceptives. Make them |
| are born to mothers who receive little or no pre-natal | | | | available should your teen decide to become sexually |
| care are more likely to become ill and die before they | | | | active. |
| reach their first birthday. Unfortunately, teenagers who | | | | Fourth, it is essential that teenagers know and feel that |
| are pregnant are more likely to smoke, drink and take | | | | they are loved by the adults in their lives. Unfortunately, |
| illicit drugs during their pregnancy. Those involved in a | | | | many times teenagers turn to sex simply because |
| teen pregnancy should receive routine pre-natal care | | | | they do not feel loved on the home front. |
| and be educated about the harm that smoking, drinking | | | | Fifth, if, despite your best endeavors your teen does |
| and illegal drugs pose to their health and especially the | | | | become 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 made | | | | every step of the way. Ensure that your teen's health |
| about a teen pregnancy, or the children of teen | | | | and well being are your number one priority. |