Teen Moms: Prenatal Care

Despite the fact that the teen birth rate is climbing after slowly falling for years, there are still an estimated one million teen pregnancies in the United States alone. About 85% of these pregnancies are unplanned, which in any population can increase the risk for problems. The biggest risk for teen mothers is delaying prenatal care or worse, 7.2% received no care at all.

The reason for lack of prenatal care is usually delayed pregnancy testing, denial or even fear of telling others about the pregnancy. Most states have a health department or university clinic where prenatal care is free or low cost and patient confidentiality is very important, meaning no one can tell the teen mother’s family.

Because the body of a teen is still growing she will need more nutritional support to meet both her needs and that of her baby. Nutritional counseling can be a large portion of prenatal care, usually done by a doctor or a midwife, sometimes a nutritionist. This counseling will usually include information about prenatal vitamins, folic acid, and the dos and don’ts of eating and drinking. Lack of proper nutrition can lead to problems like anemia (low iron), low weight gain, etc.

Another problem facing teen mothers is the use of drugs and alcohol, including cigarette smoking. No amount of any of these substances is safe for use in pregnancy. In fact, their use can complicate pregnancy even further increasing the likelihood of premature birth and other complications.

I would love to wait to become a mom

Dear Reader,

All I have to say is that I would love to wait to become a mother. I would love to be a mother when I am at least 24. It is not that I don’t like kids; it’s that I would love to be prepared to be a mother, and also to have finished with my education. Also to be able to give my child what he/she needs, and have a stable home and a stable family. One of the main reasons that I would love to wait are those. Also because I love my independence at this point of my life. I would just love to enjoy as much now in a good and safe way.

Sincerely, Brenda

I have a friend who is a teen mom

Dear Reader,

I have a friend who is a teen mother. Her name is Luisa . Man, she is what I consider an awesome mom. She is a junior at A.C. Davis high school and she has a baby boy named Jayden. He is a nine month old healthy baby. I have seen her struggle and have a hard time at school, but she never gives up. That’s what makes me think of her as an awesome mom. She also always finds ways to take care of her baby. She never gives up. I just want to congratulate her for not giving up and not caring what other people think.

Sincerely, Elsie

Finding Out You’re Pregnant

Dear Reader,

I think that it’s really hard from the first day you find out you’re pregnant. You have to become a grown up now, you can’t do the same things you were used to. Now it’s all about the baby.

I have a friend who had a child. She says it’s really hard but I admire her because she never gives up even tho’ people might not believe in her.

Sincerely, Anonymous

I have a month old baby boy named Jayden

Dear Reader,

I have a month old baby boy named Jayden. Being a teen mom is not as easy! People see me and feel sorry for me ‘cause I’m a teen mom, when really they should feel happy for me ‘cause I’ve tried real hard to be a great, strong mother for my child.

When I first found out I was pregnant I was scared because I didn’t know how to tell my dad. It was really hard for me. So I left to live with my baby’s dad and realized he wasn’t what I expected, so I moved back in with my parents. Throughout my whole pregnancy I cried and was always upset because my baby’s daddy would put me down and insult me. Until I realized that he wasn’t worth my time and that I was better off without him. Now he pays child support and doesn’t see the baby.

I’m glad that I made that decision because I made it far in life as a teen mom. Thanks to my parents who support me and help me out.

Sincerely, Luisa C

Teen Parenting Class

Dear Reader,

I don’t have any children but I am in a teen parenting class. Every day I see the teen moms in my class come to school. It isn’t easy having a baby, and it’s not easy to go to school, and it’s definitely not easy to actually try to get good grades. All the moms in my class are planning to go to college as far as I know. I think that’s wonderful that they have goals and aren’t selling themselves short because they have a child.

I like hearing stories about their children and it makes me look forward to having my own in a few years. It can be hard for a teen to go to school, ten times harder for a teen mom. I have a lot of respect for all these ladies that didn’t let their children stop them from going to school. Their determination is inspiring.

Gabrielle A

Teen Moms Proving People Wrong

Dear Reader,

Although I’m not a teen mom it seems like I know what they go through. It’s amazing how teen moms prove people wrong when they say they are not going to be successful in life. I just want all teen moms to know that even though you may feel like everything is falling apart, you should keep going forward. Never let things get in your way. I have lots of faith that all teen moms can do anything they put their minds to. I wish the best for all you guys. You are truly amazing. Don’t ever forget that.

Rosa C

Some People Don’t Understand

Dear Reader,

“Some People Don’t Understand”
Some people don’t understand how it feels to be a teen parent and what we go through every day. Some just judge us and look at us like we are just dumb for having a baby at a young age. Some people just say they understand and say they care, but they really don’t. Some people don’t understand how easy they have it until they have a baby, then its like, “Oh I wish I could do this or I wish I could do that.” But it’s not that simple with a baby. Don’t get it confused – having a baby is that best thing that ever happened to me. I just wish some people actually realized what we go through and judge us on our age.

Signed,
Anonymous

Child Care at School

Dear Reader,

I don’t have any kids. But I’ve worked in the child care center at my high school. And I have seen how hard it is to take care of a child. That’s why I plan on waiting to have children, because I plan on going to college to get my degree in early childhood education. Ever since I started working at my church day care and school, I see that having a child takes a lot of work. But I also know what to do when taking care of someone else’s child because I have taken all child psychology classes with my wonderful high school teacher.

Sincerely,
Bethany B

Amazed at teen Moms

Dear Reader,

As a junior in high school I can’t imagine what my world would be like if I had a baby. I can only hear others talk about their babies and be amazed at what they do for them. And yet they have the strength to do good for themselves. I give them all the praise and hope they keep it up.