Teenage Pregnancy - Finding Support and Help

Finding out you are pregnant can be one of the most wonderful life changing times in your life - or one of the most devastating.

So what if you're not one of the many who have a loving partner, two incomes and a house in the suburbs where you can set up the nursery, join a mothers group and have plenty of support, advice and assistance available to you?

So what if you are outside the socially acceptable norms? What if you are a teenager? What can you do? That greatly depends on where you live, the attitudes of the society you live in and how supportive your friends and family are, and what resources your community provide.

The facts are if you are a teenage mother, in developing countries you are more likely to have a lower education level, have a higher rate of poverty and unfortunately this can have an effect on the life outcomes of your children.

Low self esteem and lacking confidence in your parenting abilities can lead to depression and feelings of low self worth which can send you into a downward spiral.

Telling your parents can be really hard, even if you come from a loving supportive family, expect them to have mixed reactions. If your family are not supportive and you find yourself on your own, find someone to talk to you can trust, who will give you sound advice, and put you in touch with agencies set up to assist and support you.

A school counscellor is someone who should be able to help here, or if you don't feel able to talk to them, go speak to your church pastor, make it your business to find out your options. Your friends may be great, they really aren't in a position to help so you do need to look in your local directory, council programs, visit your doctor and gather as much information as you can.

There are many government bodies around you can contact who will tell you what you are entitled to while you are pregnant and when the baby is born, if you decide to go ahead with your pregnancy, another important contact is public housing. Many councils have housing programs which help and support young mothers and provide subsidised housing, financial advice and can arrange emergency accommodation if necessary.

If you have access to the internet there are lots of sites set up where you can talk to other young mothers, and I'm sure there would be a wealth of information designed to help and inform you about services in your area you could access.

Here is some links to sites you might find useful:

Teenparents

MDJunction: Forum where teens,family members, friends can share their experiences and help each other

Bridgeway Homes Their goal is to work with pregnant teenagers to help them to finish school, go to college, get a career, or follow their dreams. Bridgeway is not only a loving home where they can receive the love and support needed, it is also an education center. A place where they can learn how to make a better life for themselves and their child.

If you find it difficult to keep your baby, many good families are waiting on adoption lists and is another option you might consider, of course, I have to mention although controversial in some countries and may be illegal where you live, there is always the choice not to go ahead with the pregnancy and consider an abortion. Some teenagers are victims of rape or incest and having the child could cause severe emotional problems.

Here are some links to sites and phone numbers if you have been raped by a stranger, family or friend:

Safeteens

You can also contact TeenLine on 800-852-8336 or (800)-TLC-TEEN (California only) or Girls and Boys Town national hotline on 1-800-448-3000 (TDD 1-800-448-1833) open 24 hours a day, everyday.

If you are in another country, look in your telephone directory, go to a church or police station to ask for assistance. If you have had unprotected sex, been sexually assaulted there is also the morning after pill, if you are concerned about becoming pregnant.

To make the best choices for you, rather than listen to well-meaning friends who aren't in your shoes, please go seek out some counselling. Having a child is a lifetime commitment and whatever you decide, is life changing.

More topics:

Early Signs of Teenage Pregnancy

How teenage pregnancy effects a teen mother's life?