Teen Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of great emotional
as well as physical change. Although there are experiences that
are generally common to all pregnancies, every pregnancy is different.
There are also common differences between the pregnancies of teenagers
and the pregnancies of older women. Having had two children of my own,
I've been able to experience that truth first hand!
As a teenager, you will face unique
physical challenges. For example, teen moms give birth, on average, to lower weight babies than
older women. The demands of being young, of still growing, and being
pregnant are not always well suited. You have to pay attention to what
you eat, how you exercise, how you treat yourself.
This is your time of
preparation. Treat yourself and treat your baby by taking care of your
body even when it seems lame. Take the time you need to learn everything
you can learn about pregnancy, labor, birth and parenting.
The better
prepared you are the more confident you'll feel as you face the
challenges yet to come. If you are keeping your baby, all too soon you will have to come to terms with
the fact that you're the mom now and a tiny new life is depending on
you. You will be an awesome parent if you're willing to invest tons of
love and almost as much hard work. Don't let anyone rob you of your
confidence just because you are young! No, you don't have all the
answers, but who does? The important thing is that you can learn. Not
sure what you're going to do yet? Maybe it would help to lay out your
options.
Need to talk to someone
right now? You can call The National Crisis Pregnancy Helpline at
1-800-521-5530. Or click here
for a list of counselors you can email from Pregnancy
Centers Online.
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