Teenage Pregnancy In Australia
Research shows that in Australia, only about one quarter of all year 10 students and just over half of all year 12 students have had sexual intercourse. People often think that teenage pregnancies are unintended or unplanned, but this is not always the case. Some teenagers plan to get pregnant or choose to not use contraception, even though they know they could get pregnant.
Five per cent of sexually active students report that they have had sexual intercourse that resulted in a pregnancy. Pregnancy rates are higher among teenagers whose lives include:
- family situations with regular conflict
- family violence or sexual abuse during childhood
- unstable housing arrangements
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status
- living in rural and remote areas
- having a mental health diagnosis.
Five per cent of sexually active students report that they have had sexual intercourse that resulted in a pregnancy.
How Do I Know If Im Pregnant
Also keep in mind that it takes up to a few weeks for pregnancy to happen after sex. So if the sex happened a few days ago, you cant be pregnant yet in fact, you can still use emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy if its been less than 5 days since youve had unprotected sex.
The first thing to do if you think youre pregnant is take a pregnancy test its the only way to know for sure. A pregnancy test can tell you if youre pregnant as soon as your period is late. Read more about pregnancy tests.
Early pregnancy symptoms include bloating, sore breasts, upset stomach, and feeling tired. But these symptoms can also be caused by other things, like PMS or being sick. And some people dont have symptoms at all in early pregnancy. So symptoms alone cant tell you whats going on only a pregnancy test can.
If your pregnancy test is positive, make an appointment with your doctor or local Planned Parenthood Health Center right away so you can talk about your pregnancy options and make sure you stay healthy no matter what you decide to do about your pregnancy. But be careful to go to a real health center and not a crisis pregnancy center these are fake clinics that often say they offer pregnancy tests and counseling, but they dont actually provide a full range of real health care. They wont give you honest information about your pregnancy options, and they dont have to follow privacy laws. Planned Parenthood can help you find somewhere trustworthy.
What Can Be Done To Reduce Teen Pregnancy And Out
Why Focus on Teen Pregnancy?
Virtually all of the growth of single-parent families in recent decades has been driven by an increase in births outside marriage. Divorce rates have leveled off or declined modestly since the early 1980s and thus have not contributed to the rising proportion of children being raised by only one parent nor to the increase in child poverty and welfare dependence associated with the rise in single-parent families.
Not all non-marital births are to teen-agers. In fact, 70 percent of all births outside marriage are to women over age 20. For this reason, some argue that a focus on teens fails to address the real problem and that much more attention needs to be given to preventing childbearing, or raising marriage rates, among single women who have already entered their adult years.
But there are at least four reasons to focus on teens:
First, although a large proportion of non-marital births is to adult women, half of first non-marital births are to teens. Thus, the pattern tends to start in the teenage years, and, once teens have had a first child outside marriage, many go on to have additional children out of wedlock at an older age. A number of programs aimed at preventing subsequent births to teen mothers have been launched but few have had much success. So, if we want to prevent out-of-wedlock childbearing and the growth of single-parent families, the teenage years are a good place to start
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The Management Of Teenage Pregnancy
Summary points
Teenage pregnancy refers to pregnancy in women usually within the ages of 13-19, which may be intended or unintended. It remains a major public health concern worldwide. The World Health Organization has estimated that every year approximately 16 million females aged 15-19 and around one million girls aged less than 15 give birth. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death in 15-19 year old females globally. Furthermore, every year around three million girls undergo unsafe abortions. This review examines key issues related to the care of teenage mothers.
Tips For Coping With An Unplanned Pregnancy
If you were surprised by the results of your pregnancy test or worried because you dont feel that you are ready to become a parent, were here to help you cope with your unplanned pregnancy. You can get free support and personalized guidance at any time by calling 1-800-ADOPTION.
Dealing with an unwanted pregnancy is going to be an emotional journey, and American Adoptions is here to guide you through it as best as we can. Below, well outline the 5 steps you can start taking right now to cope with this unexpected surprise, including:
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Practice self-care
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Consider your options
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Talk to a counselor
To get more support as you try to cope with your unplanned pregnancy, reach out to us today or call 1-800-ADOPTION. When you contact us, you will experience the empathetic guidance and support you deserve. Many of our staff members are adoptive parents and birth parents themselves, so we understand what youre going through. You dont have to go through it alone.
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Moms Raising Sons To Be Men
Mothers of boys have the special calling to shape future men of God. Popular speaker Rhonda Stoppe, mom to two sons, knows this opportunity is a challenge, a joy, and probably the most important work of a womans life. Drawing from years of experience, this inspirational resource will revive the faithfulness and fortitude a woman needs to partner with God as they shape the character and heart of a future godly man.
Teenage Pregnancy How Parents Should Handle It
Parents are usually devastated when their teenage daughters get pregnant out of wedlock. Its like the most shameful thing to them, especially in a culture like ours where morality is so loudly preached by all but upheld by none. Consequently, parents are left devastated even as they continually ask themselves whether it was their lack of care that pushed their small girls to seek love elsewhere. I understand the worry parents feel about the ability of preventing their children from becoming teen parents. In all, it should be clearly stated that parents could only try as much as they can to teach their children uprightness. In the end, most decisions made by children are made independently of their parents including the decision to experiment with sex and get pregnant in the process. In any case, this post considers ways parents can handle likely cases of teenage pregnancies.
HOW PARENTS SHOULD RESPOND: It is every parents responsibility to help their pregnant teens come to terms with this life-changing event. And this must be done with much love! Oh yes much love! The fact that your daughter is pregnant or your son has impregnated a girl
shittier
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How Do I Tell My Parents That Im Pregnant
Even though it might feel scary, talking with a parent or caregiver can really help. They can talk through your options with you, and help you get the health care you need.
Many people worry that their parents/caregivers will freak out, but thats not always what happens. If you can, try to be open and honest. Start by saying that you trust them and need their help and support. Most of the time, they just want to make sure youre healthy and safe. If your parents/caregivers do get upset, they may just need some time to calm down.
Sometimes parents/caregivers are shocked or angry, and sometimes they’re understanding. Theres really no way to know how yours will feel unless you talk with them about it. It might help to find a time when you can talk in private and there are no distractions. If youre feeling really nervous or scared, you can always ask a friend or other family member to be there with you during the conversation. That way, youll have support no matter what happens.
If you really feel like you cant talk to your parents/caregivers, try talking to another adult who you trust . If youre worried that telling your parents/caregivers youre pregnant may put you in danger, tell a teacher, nurse or doctor, or other adult you trust.
Social Issues For Teenage Pregnancy
The social stigma of being a young parent is less common today than in the past. The availability of government payments and support services for young mothers has helped make parenting a more acceptable option for many young women.
Although many young people find raising a child to be a positive and rewarding experience, the social issues that can be linked to teenage pregnancy include:
- the young person not being able to finish her education, which can lead to long-term unemployment or job options that are not secure or well paid
- being dependent on welfare or on a job that is not well paid, putting the young person under more financial pressure, which often leads to poor housing arrangements and not being able to afford basic necessities
- a lack of acceptance, support and understanding from the young persons family and friends
- being more at risk of maternal mental health issues, such as postnatal depression, possibly due to a lack of support, being isolated from friends and family, or financial pressures.
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Teach Her About Caring For A Baby
If your daughter decides that she wants to either keep the baby or give the child up for adoption, its important that you let her know what she is getting herself into. Have her watch birthing videos and do some research about different kinds of adoption, and have her babysit a child if she wants to keep her baby. All of these are intended to give her a taste of what might be coming for her. Its easy for teenagers to gloss over the details of big decisions, so making her aware of the realities of carrying a baby to term and then keeping it, or giving it to another couple, is a must.
If she decides to keep the baby, start teaching her about the responsibilities she will have in store for her after the birth.
Sit down as a family and discuss how the new baby will fit into your family home. Also, discuss how she will finish or continue her education after the birth.
Pregnant Teenagers: Pregnancy Care And Birth Choices
Pregnant teenagers under 19 years need extra care in pregnancy and during parenting. They have special health concerns because their own bodies and brains are still growing and developing, and their emotions can be very mixed and fragile.
Early and regular antenatal care can help pregnant teenagers have healthy pregnancies.
Step 1: see your GP Your teenage child needs to see a GP as soon as possible to confirm the pregnancy and to have some basic health checks.
Your child will need to book several antenatal appointments and antenatal tests at this first GP visit.
A GP can also give your child options for antenatal care and birth.
Step 2: look into teen-specific antenatal care Ask the GP and the local child and family health service whether there are any local antenatal services experienced in working with pregnant teenagers.
These services can understand your childs special physical, emotional, financial and educational needs. They usually have teams of people to care for pregnant teenagers doctors, midwives, social workers, dietitians, counsellors and mental health workers.
Step 3: look into antenatal classesAntenatal classes are good for all parents-to-be. They give detailed information about labour, birth, breastfeeding, early parenting and support services.
Your pregnant child will be going through many changes and feelings. Understanding pregnancy changes from week to week can help your child cope with whats going on.
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Supporting Pregnant Teenagers And Teenage Parents To Finish School
Education is the key to a positive future.
You and your child could talk together to a social worker, counsellor or your childs antenatal team. This can help you find out more about education options and planning, as well as school programs that support young parents.
Your child might be able to get special consideration or extra time-out for medical appointments or poor health. A modified timetable can help some young parents-to-be. Some secondary schools have child care facilities.
When your childs baby is born, youll be a grandparent. It might be good to think about what kind of grandparent you want to be and how big a role you want to play in raising your grandchild.
What Are The Needs Of Teenage Mothers In The Postnatal Period
A key need in the postnatal period includes education to ensure that teenage mothers are competent in caring for their baby before discharge. The involvement of social workers is important to ensure that mothers are aware of financial and educational supports available. Midwifery support is key for practical things involved in caring for babies, and support for breast or bottle feeding. A randomised controlled trial found that postnatal home visiting services by nurse-midwives reduced adverse neonatal events and improved contraception outcomes but did not affect breast feeding or knowledge of and compliance with infant vaccination.45
Questions for future research
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What interventions should be aimed at targeting teenage mothers and ensuring optimal antenatal care and postnatal support?
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Are different interventions needed to target specific at risk populations, such as ethnic minority groups that still have high rates of teenage pregnancy?
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What interventions would further increase the use of contraception among teenagers?
Tips for non specialists
A patients perspective
My name is Kelly. I struggled with postnatal depression and still am. I was 18 when I conceived my son James, and 16 when I had an abortion. So many changes are happening to your body as a teenager and a pregnancy adds a lot of different emotions to that.
I struggled by myself too long, so I now talk at the teenage classes, to help those pregnant mums and dads to be, to understand postnatal depression.
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Banana Leaves And Acacia Pods For Abortion
The combination of Acacia pods and Banana leave shoots has been used for years to induce miscarriages. The exact science behind how this solution accomplishes the task is unclear, but the results are evident.
Method:
- Mix the equal quantities of unripe Acacia pods and shoots of banana leaves.
- Once they are dry, grind them into a fine powder.
- Mix this powder with equal ratios of sugar. Dilute a teaspoon of the resulting mixture in a cup of hot water and drink daily until bleeding starts.
- The remedy should be followed until the initiation of the periods.
Effective Habits To Embrace In Parenting
To be an effective parent, you must be a leader in your childs life, guiding with a gentle hand and setting a solid example. Dr. Randy Schroeder provides the insight you need to be a leader-parent. As he explores the foundational Rsrelationship, routines, responsibilities, and rulesyoull better understand the role you play in your childs life. Youll learn great phrases to employ such as Either/Or/You Decide and When You/Then You. While there is no perfect parent, this nuts-and-bolts material will equip you to lead your child in a loving, confident manner.
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Develop A Good Relationship With Children
A good parent-child relationship can make children happy and confident. They will understand their responsibilities and social values.
How to help:
- Pay attention to what your children share.
- Be kind, courteous, and respectful to them.
- Support your children and appreciate their endeavors.
- Boost their self-esteem and help them grow confident .
Counselling Considerations For Teenage Pregnancy
One thing that might help your daughter in making her decision is to talk to a counsellor. Counselling is available through a number of organisations in person, as well as over the phone. This will also be invaluable as it is third person looking from the outside in. Encourage your daughter to talk to a counsellor even if she believes that shes already made her decision.
A counsellor can be incredibly helpful in working through the emotions attached to each of these decisions, and encouraging her to think about how she might deal with those emotions now and in the future. If you want, you could also attend a family counselling session with your partner and daughter. This can be helpful to work through your own feelings towards your daughter, with a mediator on hand to keep things under control.
Free teenage pregnancy counselling is available here:
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