Reasons Parents Should talk to Their Teens About Pregnancy

It might be uncomfortable, but it is important that parents talk with their teens about pregnancy. Having that discussion, in a non-judgmental way, can inspire a teen to really open up and ask the questions that are on their mind. It can also help build trust between you and your teen. That’s important if you want them to come to you for answers about pregnancy in the future. Make sure you speak with your daughters and your sons. The teen pregnancy rate in the United States is high. The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate among countries that … Continue reading

Changes In Teens’ Attitude About Pregnancy

The latest news concerning teen pregnancy is a little troubling. The CDC reports that teens are less worried about pregnancy than in the past. While the percentage of teens having sex has not changed much since 2002, the attitude towards having a child out of wedlock has changed quite a bit. The majority of teens, according to the survey, believe it is okay for an unmarried woman to have a baby. Another interesting fact included in the report is about the most common methods of birth control among teens. The withdrawal method of birth control, also jokingly referred to as … Continue reading

Interview With MTV’s Teen Mom – Amber

Friday afternoon I had the pleasure of talking with Amber from MTV’s Teen Mom. Before I even got to the second question, I realized, it doesn’t even sound like I am talking to a teen. Amber has learned a lot as a teen mom, she says, and it was apparent as she discussed the challenges and joys of becoming a parent. Along with growing responsibilities, she has become more mature. Things have changed a lot, but as Amber said, “it’s a good way of change.” We talked about how she would have done things differently if given the chance, and … Continue reading

Should We Pay Teens to Not Get Pregnant?

Have you heard about College Bound Sisters? It is a program in Greensboro, North Carolina that is designed to prevent teen pregnancy. The program targets younger sisters of teen mothers who are between the ages of 12 and 16, want to go to college, have never been pregnant and are willing to attend an hour and a half meeting each week. In return, for every day that these teens do not get pregnant, they are paid $1. $7 is deposited into a college fun each week that they attend the meeting, are not pregnant, and are still attending school. When … Continue reading

Pregnancy Tests for Students?

Students in Port Chester, N.Y. may soon be able to get pregnancy tests at school health centers. The clinics, which are in the village’s elementary, middle and high schools, will offer both pregnancy and STD tests, as well as offer counseling and referrals to students who test positive for pregnancy or infection. The clinics are run by Open Door Family Medical Centers and Port Chester is the only school district in Westchester County to host the clinics. Currently, the federally funded program gives immunizations and physicals, as well as mental, vision and hearing screenings. In addition to offering pregnancy and … Continue reading

Health Risks Related to Teen Pregnancy

Teen pregnancy continues to be a problem around the world, despite lower teen pregnancy rates. There are health risks specific to teen pregnancy that pregnant teens and parents should discuss with the doctor or midwife. In addition, teen mothers need to be educated about the risks and the importance of nutrition and prenatal care. According to the March of Dimes, teens are at a higher risk of preterm birth, compared to older mothers. The March of Dimes reports that between the years of 2002 to 2004, the preterm birth rate for women 20-29 years old was 11.7 percent. For women … Continue reading

The Pregnancy Blog Week in Review for Feb 10- Feb 16

Another week has passed so quickly. Pregnancy is a busy time. The Week In Review is a good way to catch up on your reading. Visit the Pregnancy Blog Archives for hundreds of articles on just about every topic related to this miraculous time of life. Saturday, Feb 10 Let’s Talk About Teenage Pregnancy – Breaking Through Stereotypes discusses the ageism that surrounds teenage pregnancy and young mothers. Let’s Talk About Teenage Pregnancy – Breaking the Big News talks about how to break the news to the father of the baby and your parents for pregnant teens. When you are … Continue reading

Let’s Talk About Teenage Pregnancy – Breaking the Big News

Okay let’s be perfectly real here – finding out your pregnant while single and still living with your parents is never a picnic. There are just as few parents of teens out there that will be instantly transformed into grandparents as there are teens out there that will instantly become super parents. It was probably hard enough for you to find out the big news yourself, but the horror isn’t over yet. Now, you will have to tell the other important people in your life. How will they react? What will they say or do? What exactly is the best … Continue reading

Let’s Talk About Teenage Pregnancy – Breaking Through Stereotypes

We all have them: Little bits of prejudice that we don’t like to admit to. Nevertheless, they are there and they hurt. They have an impact on the way we view the world, whether we like it or not. There are many words for it – profiling, bias, stereotyping, ageism. Teenage moms are not immune to this any more than other soldiers of the mommy wars. But that doesn’t make it any more ethical for a person, another mom even, to assume that a woman’s age will determine how well she is able to mother her children. It is true … Continue reading