Community Support Services for Pregnant Teenagers

The number of teen pregnancies in the US is decreasing but if you or someone you know is a pregnant teen, you might feel a certain amount of despair. You are not alone. In fact, the Center for Diseases reports that 30 percent of American girls under age 20 will become pregnant at least once. That translates to 750,000 teen pregnancies every year.

A sexually active teen girl who does not use contraception has a 90 percent chance of becoming pregnant in the next 12 months. Contraception and awareness of contraception have contributed significantly to the decline in teen pregnancies.

There are a number of statistics about teen pregnancy and many of them are disturbing but the chances are good that if you are a teen and are unexpectedly pregnant, you are probably less concerned with statistics than you are with how to manage your pregnancy, pursue your education and achieve a meaningful life as a mother and woman. The good news is that there are solutions to every situation.

Where to Talk it Out

One of the most terrifying aspects of being a pregnant teen is who to talk to? It is only natural to have serious questions about where you will live, how your family will respond, how the father might respond and how you will complete your very necessary education. These are just some of the common concerns. There will be more and many will be extremely personal.

Today’s pregnant teens have valuable resources available. In most instances it is beneficial to meet with a professional to discuss all your options. Remember, these public and private sector professionals talk and work with pregnant teens every day. They know all the options and all the challenges. They also understand your legal rights.

The biggest mistake pregnant teens make is panicking. You do have rights, entitlements and can receive much more assistance than most teens realize. In fact, the wrong course of action is to get unprofessional advice. If you really want to understand teen pregnancy, consult with a professional.

The CDC also reports that 50 percent of teens never considered how pregnancy might affect their lives. 80 percent of fathers of children born to pregnant teens do not marry the mother. You may be surprised by how people respond to your pregnancy but your life does not end here.

Millions of teen girls have given birth, completed their education and gone on to be successful mothers and career women.

Identifying the Challenges

As a pregnant teen, sorting out all the challenges is important. You need good advice, not necessarily third party information or gossip. Having someone to discuss your challenges with and help sort through remedies is a gratifying and soothing alternative.

The range of solutions available to pregnant teens is broad. You may need help deciding how to tell you parents, teachers and friends before anything else. You may find you need housing, food, medical advice and many other things. Do not despair and do not act irrationally. This is a time to get expert advice and develop a strategy that protects you and your baby. The future is now!