What You May Be Feeling
If you have just learned that your teen is having a baby, you’re probably experiencing a wide range of emotions, from shock and disappointment to grief and worry about the future.
Some parents feel a sense of guilt, thinking that if only they’d done more to protect their child this wouldn’t have happened. And although some parents are embarrassed by their teen’s pregnancy and worried about how family, friends, and neighbors will react, others are happy about the news of a soon-to-be grandchild especially if the teen is older and in a mature relationship.
Whatever feelings you’re experiencing, this is likely to be a difficult time for your family. The important thing is that your teen needs you now more than ever. Being able to communicate with each other especially when emotions are running high is essential. Teens who carry a baby to term have special health concerns, and your daughter will have a healthier pregnancy emotionally and physically if she knows she doesn’t have to go it alone.
So what can you do as the parent of a teen having a baby? Recognize your feelings and work through them so that you can accept and support her. Does that mean you don’t have the right to feel disappointed and even angry? No. Such reactions are common. You might have a strong flood of emotions to deal with, especially at first. But the reality of the upcoming baby means that you’ll have to get beyond your initial feelings for the sake of your daughter and her child.
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What To Do When You’re Not Okay
Life can be pretty stressful. Between work, relationships, and other obligations, the pressure builds, and we lose sight of who we are. Counselor Debra Fileta helps you better understand your emotions, assess your mental, physical, and spiritual health, and intentionally pursue a path to wellbeing. In dealing with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, Debra understands the importance of self-examination as well as the benefits of seeking professional help. She offers biblically-based advice, tools, and encouragement to help you get on a path toward healing and wholeness.
Why Your Kids Misbehave And What To Do About It
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Factors Associated With Decision Satisfaction
It is obvious that no one decision is the right decision for all adolescents, since the circumstances differ among individuals. However, researchers have found some regularities in the extent to which individuals express satisfaction or dissatisfaction about the decisions they have made in resolving their pregnancies. A study of a Danish sample found that the degree of satisfaction with the decision depended on the firmness of the decision in the first place. Of those who had made a firm decision to abort soon after learning about pregnancy, 94 percent said that the decision was correct 6 months later. Of those who were not so certain, 72 percent said that the decision was correct 6 months later . Of those whose decision was firm, 59 percent experienced relief afterward, compared with 28 percent of the less firm. None of the Danish women expressed feeling of guilt over the decision.
A study of United States teen women found that the more alternatives considered, the greater the dissatisfaction with the decision. This probably reflects greater uncertainty as to what to do, and is consistent results from the Danish study .
How Can Teenage Pregnancy Be Prevented
The only way to be sure you wont get pregnant is to not have sexual intercourse. However, there are many methods to reduce your chances of becoming pregnant if youre sexually active.
According to a study published in the journal PLoS One, an abstinence-only sex education was positively correlated with an increase in teen pregnancies.
Many communities offer counseling and support programs that help prevent teen pregnancy.
These groups can provide information on birth control and help teens understand their own sexual limits so they dont get into situations where they might have unprotected sex and get pregnant.
Some programs offer peer counseling, since it might feel more comfortable talking to someone your own age. Contact your health department for information on programs in your area.
Prescription birth control is available through your doctor or a womens health clinic.
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What Support Is There For Pregnant Teenagers
If you decide to continue with your pregnancy, there are a wide range of services to support you during pregnancy and after you have had your baby.
You can get support and advice from:
- Brook visit your nearest Brook service for free confidential advice if you’re under 25, or use the Ask Brook online service
- Family Lives visit the website or call 0808 800 2222 for support for families, including young parents
- Tommy’s visit this website led by midwives for the latest information for parents-to-be
- Family Nurse Partnership a family nurse may be able to visit your home, if you’re young parents, to support you from early pregnancy until your child is 2
- Shelter a national housing charity that can advise you about housing options and housing benefits for young parents visit their website or call them on 0808 800 4444
If you’re pregnant and on your own, it’s important there are people you can share your feelings with who can offer you support.
Sex At Week 16 Of Pregnancy
Your nausea has gone away and your energy is back up. No wonder you have a higher sex drive around week 16 of pregnancy! Many pregnant moms report that the second trimester is great for having sex. So, dont worry if your libido goes up around this time.
Its normal for your partner to worry about the baby being so close while youre intimate. But unless your doctor has expressly advised against sex, you have nothing to worry about.
- Write down a list of names you like.
- Start planning or working on your nursery. You only have 5 months left now, and its better to get this done ahead of time to avoid rushing when youre nearing the end of your pregnancy.
- Make a list of everything you need: a car seat, a high chair, a diaper bag, etc.
- Schedule your next prenatal appointment usually for week 20.
- Look for maternity clothes that fit your growing bump.
- Reach for healthy alternatives to your cravings.
16 weeks down, 24 weeks left! Youre nearly halfway through your pregnancy, and your baby is bigger and stronger than ever. Looking cuter, too! Its still too early to meet him or her, but you can already start to prepare for the future months.
Enjoy your second trimester, which is many womens favorite part of their pregnancy. Most uncomfortable symptoms have subsided, you have stronger hair and nails, and your bump is still small. Meanwhile, your 16-week baby will be getting stronger and practicing to meet you soon!
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What Is A Normal Fetal Heart Rate At 16 Weeks
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. Furthermore, what is a dangerous heart rate for a baby in the womb?
Fetal tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 160-180 beats per minute . This rapid rate may have a regular or irregular rhythm which may be intermittent or sustained. A sustained fetal tachyarrhythmia is uncommon, affecting fewer than 1% of all pregnancies.
Similarly, what is the average fetal heart rate for a boy? You may have heard that your baby’s heart rate can predict their sex as early as the first trimester. If it’s over 140 bpm, you’re having a baby girl. Below 140 bpm, you’re carrying a boy.
People also ask, how do I know my baby is OK at 16 weeks?
16 weeks pregnant symptoms
- brighter skin
- oilier or shinier skin
- constipation.
- possible hemorrhoids.
Is 172 a normal fetal heart rate?
There is no consensus about the normal fetal heart rate. Current international guidelines recommend for the normal fetal heart rate baseline different ranges of 110 to 150 beats per minute or 110 to 160 bpm.
Baby Will Soon Hear Your Voice
Listen up: Tiny bones in your fetus’ ears are in place, making it likely that baby will soon be able to hear your voice when you’re speaking. Generally, babies fully develop the ability to hear in the womb by 18 weeks of pregnancy.
In fact, studies have found that babies who hear a song while they’re in the womb recognize the same tune when it’s sung to them after theyre born so choose your lullabies with that in mind.
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Baby’s Skin Is Transparent
Your fetus is becoming a looker too with a face that’s starting to look more human but a skinny looker, since there’s no baby fat yet.
And here’s the skinny on baby skin: It’s practically translucent now, so if you took a peek inside your uterus, you’d be able to see your baby’s blood vessels under that thin skin.
What To Expect At 16 Weeks Pregnant
In this article
Counting weeks and months during pregnancy can be quite confusing.
A month doesnt typically consist of 4 exact weeks, but rather 4.5 weeks. We say that pregnancy is 9 months, but 40 weeks it doesnt really go together and is due to the mismatch between weeks and months. This is why most doctors dont talk about pregnancy months at all, only weeks!
There is also a difference between which month you are in and how many months pregnant you are. Try to think of it the same way you think about how old you are you are 30 years old, once you have completed 30 years.
You are three months pregnant when you have completed three months of pregnancy. So, when 16 weeks pregnant, you are three months pregnant, but in your fourth month. ) You are still in the second trimester.
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How Is Pregnancy Diagnosed
Most supermarkets and drugstores sell home pregnancy tests. These tests are designed to detect pregnancy hormones in your urine. Theyre most accurate if you use them more than a week after your missed period.
If a home pregnancy test indicates youre not pregnant, wait a week, and take another test to make sure.
If a home test shows youre pregnant, you need to make an appointment with your doctor. Theyll confirm your pregnancy with a blood test and maybe a physical exam.
Teens who become pregnant may be afraid to see a doctor, but its extremely important for the safety of the mother and the unborn child.
Your doctor should discuss all options with you regarding your pregnancy, including:
- abortion, or ending the pregnancy medically
- adoption, or giving birth and legally permitting someone else to raise your child
- giving birth and raising the child yourself
Ideally, the future father and family members of both mother and father will be involved in making the best decisions. However, this isnt always possible.
Birth control clinics and public health offices can provide counseling information to help you make the right choices for you and your baby.
How To Handle Your Anxiety Until You Find Out
Waiting to find out if you’re pregnant is probably just eating you alive and has your heart doing some kind of funky dance. To occupy your time and calm your brain, you should try:
- Writing. Writing down your thoughts in a journal can help you to break down those big bad fears into smaller, easier to tackle pieces.
- Talking with a friend. If you have a friend who has gone through the same thing or who you trust and can confide in, this might help you to put the situation in perspective and get advice from someone who isn’t in the heat of the moment. Just don’t pick a friend who is prone to drama. You need calm right now.
- Talk some more… to your mom, aunt or another woman who you hold in high regard and who has earned your trust. Just knowing that you’re not alone and that you have someone in your corner to help you sort out your feelings will help take the edge off the anticipation.
- Rethink your birth control. Since you’re in a situation right now that has left you questioning whether your birth control method worked, now’s a great time to find one that gives you confidence. Bedsider.org is a good place to find legit info and resources on birth control methods that will work best for you.
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I Labored Through Miscarriage At 16 Weeks & Here’s What It Was Like
I was 16 weeks pregnant when I learned my fifth baby was no longer viable. I then headed to the hospital for the most difficult delivery of my life. I wanted to tell my story so others would feel less alone.
Exactly three years ago this week, I went to see my midwife for my 16-week prenatal exam. My husband and I were expecting our fifth child. This had come as a huge and welcome surprise. Our older kids, ages 8, 7, and 5, at the time, were overjoyed at the thought of having another baby to coo over. Our youngest was just over 1 years old and had absolutely no idea what he was in for. It was almost hilarious to imagine him as a big brother.
A few days before, I’d been playing with one of those at-home dopplers. You know the ones where you rub the wand over your belly to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. Only that night, I couldn’t find it. I searched frantically all over my belly. Maybe I wasn’t looking in the right spot? I made my husband try. He couldn’t find it either.
After about an hour of this, I called my midwife in a panic. It was after hours and I felt a bit guilty about using their emergency line, but I knew she’d understand. She told me not to worry. At-home dopplers weren’t anywhere near as accurate as the kind they used in the exam room. It might have just been too early to pick it up with that machine.
Your Common Symptoms This Week
While your baby continues to grow and develop in week 16, you may continue to see an increase in energy and feel pretty good overall. However, some second-trimester symptoms may continue or pop up. You may have occasional:
- Heartburn
- Nosebleeds
Along with that, this week may bring a growing belly, the first signs of movement, and food cravings.
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Dpo And No Period: What Could It Mean
At 16 DPO, not getting your period might mean youre pregnant. Ovulation generally occurs between the 13th and 20th day of your cycle . Depending on the length of their cycle, most people expect to get their period around 16 DPO. If you havent started your period by 16 DPO, you might be pregnant. If you are pregnant, you might experience early symptoms of pregnancy, such as fatigue, moodiness, breast tenderness, and an elevated BBT.
How Does Teenage Pregnancy Affect Teen Mothers
Teens are at a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure and its complications than average age mothers. Risks for the baby include premature birth and low birth weight. Preeclampsia can also harm the kidneys or even be fatal for mother or baby.
Pregnant teens also have a higher chance of becoming anemic. Anemia is a reduction in the number of red blood cells . This can make you feel weak and tired and can affect your babys development.
Giving birth in the United States is safer than ever, but its still more dangerous for a teen than for a woman 20 or older. According to the World Health Organization Trusted Source , complications during pregnancy or childbirth are the leading cause of death globally for girls ages 15 to 19.
If you get pregnant as a teen, you might feel frightened and worried about telling your family and friends. Not talking to someone and not getting the help and support you need, can make you feel more isolated and depressed. This can lead to problems in home and at school.
Many pregnant teens drop out of school, and some never complete their education. That means a lot of mothers who get pregnant as teenagers live in poverty.
Women who first got pregnant as teens are more likely to have more than one child. About
A healthy pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. A baby thats delivered before 37 weeks of pregnancy is
premature. Teen mothers are to give birth to premature babies.
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