Teen Pregnancy A Public Health Problem

Presented by:Ally Daniels & Sydney Hough-

Solomon

Our MissionWe intend to educate our youth as well as our fellow peers on many aspects of teenage pregnancy in order to guide them towards making healthy and

beneficial decisions for themselves. By doing so we hope to stop the

substantial rise of teens births, decrease the many misconceptions about teen pregnancy and problems

associated with negative stigmas about teen parents.

Statistics• Every year around 750,000 teens ages 15-19 become pregnant

• Between 1990 and 2004, pregnancy rates fell substantially by 38%

• They rose 5% from 2005 to 2007 and rates are still climbing today

• An estimated 46.5% of girls ages 15-19 have admitted in being sexually active

• 7.9% of these girls became sexually active before age 13

Why the rise? Pregnancy & The Media

“Glamorizes” teen pregnancy

Makes it seem much easier than it really is.

Pregnancy & The Media*Video Clips*

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqHV75G-uN8

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEjiM0sESus

Stigmas of Adolescent Childbearing

• Happens to girls of “indecent repute”

• Due solely to irresponsibility• You have ruined your life• People will have less respect for you

• She must not be very smart• She is desperate to “keep” him

Things to Consider

• Girl could have been raped,molested or a victim of incest

• Dating Violence• Could have been consensual• Contraceptive failure• Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

Things to Remember• Pregnancy is still a beautiful thing and every life is a gift regardless of the age of the mother.

• A girl is very fragile

during this time and needs

support.• Imagine if it were you or

someone close to you in

this situation.

Physical & Mental Effects of Stigma……

• Increases chances for depression- especially post-partum depression.

• Guilt• Embarrassment• Stress• Fatigue• Low Self Esteem

Social Effects of Stigma• Isolated

– ex: some families hide it • Judged

– ex: people are extremely critical• Lonely

– ex: feel people have turned their backs• Dehumanized

– ex: treated as though they have no feelings

• Rejected - by family, friends, boyfriend…

– ex: become “mess ups” outcasts,

Economic Questions?

• Can you continue school?• Can you support you and your child financially?

• What does this mean for the future?

Physical Issues with Teen Pregnancy

A young woman’s entire body will change- target for teasing

Hormonal changes may change her mood and energy level- she is more vulnerable to teasing

She will have to “excuse” herself from class often as the fetus grows

Her sleeping routine will be altered- she will be fatigued

Babies born to teen moms are often in need of medical support due to low birth weight

Babies born to teen moms may need assistance due to lack of prenatal care

Teen moms are at higher risk of pre-term labor

Teen moms tend to go through labor and delivery alone 3 times more often then adult moms.

Finding Out• Overwhelming fear, anxiety• Dealing with reaction from family, friends etc.

• Determining whether

or not to keep the baby

After Pregnancy

• Adoption or Not• Help• School• Work• Relationships

The Cost of a Baby• Diapers• Milk (formula)• Clothes• Bottles• Crib• Stroller• Car seat • Miscellaneous (toys, daycare etc.)

• Daycare

How You Can Help• Support

– Perfect time to embrace this person• Reassure

– Remind things will be fine• Assist

– Offer help/support• Remain the same

– Do no change opinion of the person• Be open minded and understanding

– Always remain judgment free