TEEN PREGNANCY
 Teen pregnancy is one of the most difficult experiences a young person might ever face when it interrupts school or other plans. It can create an emotional crisis resulting in feelings of shame and fear, and it may appear that you will crumble under pressures in your environment. The stress of how you are going to break this news to your parents might be even greater, and finding help may seem an impossible task.
You might think no one can help you, or you might be too embarrassed to search for help. However, denying the pregnancy or ignoring it can only make things worse for you and your baby. Denial will not take the pregnancy away; instead, you will lose the time you could have invested in prenatal care and counseling. You have options, and making a choice may be simple or difficult, depending on your situation. Check resources carefully and try to give yourself the opportunity to make the best informed decision possible.
 Pregnancy Signs for Teens
If you are a teenage girl engaged in sexual activities, there is a chance you may be pregnant. The pregnancy signs for teens do not differ much from the signs and symptoms of pregnancy in adult women. While the following signs and symptoms may help a teenager determine if she may be pregnant, the only way to know for certain is to have your pregnancy diagnosed by a doctor. However, before seeing a doctor, you may also take a pregnancy test. These tests are usually up to 99% accurate.
If you think you may be pregnant, you may talk to one of our female consultants by calling 1-800-395-HELP. Our consultants are available at all hours to answer your questions and to connect you to a local center that offers free pregnancy tests and other pregnancy services. You may also search our online database of pregnancy centers to find help in your area.
Source: Option Line
Early Signs of Teen Pregnancy
There are many pregnancy signs for teens. In some cases these early signs of teen pregnancy may occur for reasons other than pregnancy. For example, if a teen is unusually stressed or active, she may experience one or more pregnancy signs common in teens. Early signs and symptoms of teen pregnancy include:
- a missed period
- nausea or vomiting
- frequent urination
- tenderness and fullness of breasts
- fatigue
- changes in appetite
Although taking a pregnancy test is the most common way a woman tells she is pregnant before seeking a medical diagnosis, these early signs are worth noting. Things like stress or activity levels can create many of these signs, including delaying a menstrual period or causing fatigue or changes in appetite.
Later Signs of Teen Pregnancy
As a pregnancy progresses, the signs and symptoms become more pronounced and harder for teens to miss. Some of these pregnancy signs include:
- an enlargement of the abdomen
- weight gain or loss
- aches such as backaches or headaches
- quickening (feeling of fetal movement)
- pregnancy mask
- food cravings
Trained medical personnel can also detect additional signs and symptoms of pregnancy with a physical exam and other procedures such as an ultrasound. These signs and symptoms include changes in the size and shape of the uterus, changes in the cervix, or fetal heart signs or movements.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these pregnancy signs, you can get free, confidential help by calling 1-800-395-HELP.
Thinking that you might be pregnant can be scary. Understanding the facts and your options is important. If you are a teenager and believe that you may be pregnant, you may reach one of our consultants by calling: 1-800-395-HELP (24 hours a day) or 843-525-0300.
Causes and Effects of Teen Pregnancy
You may be wondering about the causes and effects of teenage pregnancy. A teenage girl may become pregnant as a result of many different situations. Some teenage girls become pregnant while involved in long-term dating relationships. Other girls become pregnant after hooking up. And, some girls may become pregnant as a result of a rape situation.
All teenage pregnancies are the result of sexual activity, whether voluntary or involuntary. No matter what measures are taken for birth control, the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence from all sexual activity. If you have questions about this please call 1-800-395-HELP or e-mail us. Only abstinence is guaranteed not to cause teen pregnancy.
Common methods of birth control include:
- the birth control pill or patch
- condoms
- intrauterine devices (IUD)
- the Depo-Provera injection
- diaphragms
- spermicides
- cervical caps
Each of these birth control methods can fail even when used correctly. However, studies show that teens are more likely to use birth control methods improperly, leading to a higher likelihood that they may fail and cause a teen pregnancy to occur.
Effects of Pregnancy on Teens
Facing an unplanned teen pregnancy can be hard. The effects of teenage pregnancy are not limited to having to decide whether or not to keep the baby, how to cope with motherhood or whether to make an adoption plan. One of the most immediate effects of teen pregnancy is how the growing baby changes a teenager's body as well as their lifestyle.
Because a teen's body immediately begins the process of carrying a child and preparing for childbirth, a teenager needs to consider the effect that her physical activities may have on her developing baby. A variety of activities common to teens may have a negative effect on a developing baby:
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Smoking cigarettes or marijuana
- Lack of sleep
- Unhealthy eating patterns
Other physical changes that take place as her uterus expands may impact things as simple as clothing choices or her ability to safely participate in sports. This means that an average teenage girl will need to speak with her doctor about what activities need to be limited during her pregnancy as well as what changes she might need to make to her diet.
Emotional Effects of Teen Pregnancy
Dealing with an unplanned pregnancy can be scary and confusing. Some of the emotions that you may encounter when facing an unplanned pregnancy are:
- Initial excitement
- Confusion
- Fear
- Resentment
- Frustration
It's a natural response for you to think about and want to protect the baby that is growing inside you. It is also natural for you to be scared and confused about how to deal with this unplanned pregnancy.
How Do I Keep Myself Healthy During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it is absolutely necessary to eat right. For your health and that of your baby, your main diet should include the following:
- Green vegetables and fruits, in place of sweets
- Orange juice, in place of soda
- Grains
- Grilled and baked foods, over fried
- Milk and plenty of water
- Vitamins and minerals
 While pregnant, don't try to maintain a model's figure. You are now eating for two, and you must eat accordingly. Discuss your diet with your doctor. Also, exercise is appropriate, especially during the early stages of pregnancy, as long as light to moderate. You also need to discuss this with your doctor.
 Habits and addictions are hard to break, but you need to avoid substance that are dangerous to both you and your baby:
- Avoid caffeine
- Avoid smoking: At this time, you can expose your baby to nicotine addiction and this could lead to low birth weight and other complications.
- Avoid alcohol: This could result in retardation and certain birth defects in your child.
- Avoid drugs: Any drugs not approved by your doctor should not be taken.
Just play it safe and discuss any questions with your doctor. Get plenty of sleep and visit your doctor regularly. Your progress throughout pregnancy needs to be monitored, so contact your doctor as soon as possible once you know you're pregnant.
Source: Option Line
The Story of One Teen
Many teenagers who have faced unplanned pregnancies have found the help and resources they have needed to make positive pregnancy choices. Consider Alicia's true story:
I came home one night feeling as if something was not right with my body. I questioned myself, "What could it be?" I sat down on my futon in the living room and just cried. I felt as if it really did not matter what was wrong because I did not have anyone to listen to me.
Then something raised a question in my mind. "Was it possible I was pregnant? Could this be what was wrong with me? No, I could not be pregnant." I did not want to even think about it. But I needed to do something to clear this idea from my mind.
So I got in my car and drove to the late-night drugstore, bought a kit with two pregnancy tests and came home. I took the first test ... PREGNANT. Hoping I'd done something wrong, I took the second test ... PREGNANT.
Feeling terribly alone and extremely guilty, my mind filled with questions. How could I be a mother? How could I provide a home for a baby?. I left and went to talk to a friend. I know that my friend meant well, however, he was too busy working on his jeep to really have anything to say about my situation. He just kept saying, "Are you sure? Do you know who the father is?" Talking with him only made things worse.
I came back home feeling even more depressed than before. All I could think is, "This is not possible. These tests have to be wrong. Who in my family will I tell first, and how are they going to take it?" In a futile attempt to take my mind off things for a while, I turned the TV back on. And that's when I heard a young woman's voice saying: "If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy, you have options. You don't have to be alone. Call 1-800-395-HELP. Our services are totally confidential and free. If you're pregnant, call now. There is help." I couldn't believe my ears. It was as if things had been arranged just so I could hear that ad at the very moment when I most needed some hope.
Although I just could not figure out how I let this happen to myself, and what I was going to do to fix this situation, deep in my heart I knew the truth...babies are gifts from God.
I scrambled to find a pen and paper, scribbled down the phone number and immediately dialed it. I still remember what I asked the operator who took my call: "Can a pregnancy test come back positive and you still not be pregnant???" And almost as soon as I heard her calming response, I knew that this time I'd made the right choice.
She understood what I was going through because she'd had a crisis pregnancy herself. She was kind and not in the least judgmental. And she gave me the information and encouragement I needed...especially about adoption since that's the option Megan chose for her baby. But most of all...Megan gave me HOPE. So when she asked if I wanted her to connect me to a local pregnancy center, I said YES.
The next day I met with a trained consultant named Peggy at my local pregnancy center. We talked for a long time. I poured out my heart to her. I was so afraid. I was sure that neither my father nor my boyfriend would support me. I talked for what seemed like forever...and Peggy listened.
Peggy assured me that I was not alone. She said she would be with me every step of the way. After that, Peggy said that before she and I could address the changes I needed to make in my life, the first thing I needed to do was make sure I was pregnant. So I agreed to come back to the center's medical clinic for an ultrasound.
Almost immediately after leaving, I called my mother at work. Breathing heavy and sobbing, she just kept telling me that I needed to calm down, she couldn't understand what I was saying. Finally after a few minutes of mumbling the words, I just straightened my voice and said, "Mom, please don't hate me...I'm pregnant." As soon as the words came out, the tears started flowing again. All I could hear my mom say is that everything would be okay and that she was my mom and she was here to support me.
I am grateful for my mom. She did not abandon me. In fact, she came with me when I went in for my sonogram. I am so thankful she did.
Source: Option Line
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