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TEENAGE PREGNANCY |
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This section is dedicated to expectant teenage mothers and their partners. I have written this section as a means of encouragement from personal experience, as I know what it is like to read information and not connecting to it because most publications are theory based and not partial experiences that we read. I myself was a teenage mother and know the difficulties being pregnant at a young age brings and how dramatic life changes. When I was expecting my first child at 16, I was still attending school and I was due to give birth at the same time as my final exams. When I realised that I was pregnant, I remember being overcome with many emotions shame, guilt, fear, stress and the added pressures of having to deal with the physical demands my body would have to go through and practical changes my daily life undertook was very stressful indeed. I REMEMBER WORRYING ABOUT: Telling my parents and family What my partner would think and how he would react How would I cope with attending school, studying and taking my exams? How would I be received by teachers and peers? Attending the Antenatal clinic with and without support How I was going to cope in general Coping with the thought that I appeared to have ruined my life and that I was about to become another statistic. WHAT SUPPORT DID I RECEIVE? Emotional support from my mum and immediate family Support from the education department and school attended I was sent to a school for expectant teenage girls I was also tutored privately away from home and at home I received tremendous support from my GP, the midwives and ante-natal clinic I received support because I did not keep silent about my pregnancy. I spoke to my mum early into my pregnancy, I did not run away, I wanted to finish my exams and deep down despite what I was going through, I remember still wanting to fulfil my dreams. It is not easy to tell someone that you are expecting a baby at such a young age. Please take courage and let your parent(s)/carer(s) know as soon as you think that you could be pregnant or when the pregnancy is confirmed. If you cannot speak to your parent(s)/carer(s), please contact the help lines provided to you on this page under the contacts section. Most expectant teenagers would not know of support available to them. You will be supported by parents/carers, the education department, your school, your GP/Health clinic (health visitor), Antenatal clinic, Social Care department for children and families, the hospital social work team. It won’t be easy but these resources can help. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO FIRST: Tell your parent(s)/carer(s) Go and see your GP or young people’s service as they will confirm your pregnancy and give you support and advice of what to do next and work with you to ensure that you get the best possible care. They will also ensure that you are connected to the relevant organisations to receive the support that you need. SCHOOL Contact your local authority to find out what their policy is on attending school as the policy for each school may differ. Your parent(s)/carer(s) and or the support group supporting you will contact the local authority and the school on you behalf. They will also ensure arrangement are made for you to continue your education. BOYS To those boys who’s girlfriend(s) are expecting. Your first reaction may be denial. It may change to shock and anger. The most important thing to do is to support your girlfriend by staying calm, being available so she can talk to you, tell your parent(s)/carer(s) and encourage her to do the same. I am delighted that there is a real commitment by the government in reducing teenage pregnancy in the UK and in providing education and support at such a delicate time. It is published that “Tackling teenage pregnancy is central to the Government’s work to prevent health inequalities, child poverty and social exclusion. Girls from the poorest backgrounds are ten times more likely to become teenage mothers than girls from professional backgrounds. One in every ten babies born in England is to a teenage mother. These children are at high risk of growing up in poverty and experiencing poor health and social outcomes. Infant mortality rates for babies born to mothers under the age of 18 are twice the average.” I want to let you know although the government has put measures in place to support teenage girls that are expecting, the turning around and development of your life is up to you. I know that it is possible to turn your life around and to go on to fulfil your ambitions and to bring up your child/ren in a loving secure home. You can beat the statistic that states that teenage girls and there child/ren end up living on benefits in a council flat and that “Girls from the poorest backgrounds are ten times more likely to become teenage mothers than girls from professional backgrounds.” Not only did I turn my life around with the support of my family, friends, schools attended, and other organisations, I have also had the privilege to work with teenage girls expecting a child/ren whilst I worked in Social Care (Children and Families division). You can find out more about me in the 'about us' section. CONTACTS: Teenage Pregnancy bpas Information and Advice National Helpline Connexions Direct Every Child Matters Teenage Pregnancy Unit Teenage Pregnancy - Department of Health Teenage Pregnancy - What to do? Think U Know NHS Direct Sure Start Education Maintenance Allowance (ema) Job Center Plus |
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