Your feelings at this time may be very mixed. You may think it hard to believe you are actually pregnant. You may have feelings of being out of control and feelings of fear. You may need help with money and/or housing and do not know which way to turn. If you cannot tell your parents try talking to someone else you trust and who can help you at this time.

If you have feelings of fear that someone may hurt you because you are pregnant or if you want to hurt yourself, talk to a doctor, nurse, school counselor, or a pastor of a church. Any of these people will be able to help you. You can receive counseling about pregnancy and your choices from a qualified health care professional or agencies such as Planned Parenthood.

You do have choices about your pregnancy. Think carefully about having and caring for a baby. It is truly a “big deal." If you decide to end the pregnancy, the earlier you do so the better. Depending on the stage of your pregnancy there are several options for you:

• Medical abortion can be done within 49 days from the first day of your last menstrual period. This method involves drugs taken (of course under the supervision of a qualified health care professional), which causes the baby to be expelled

• Menstrual aspiration can be done within 1-3 weeks after a missed menstrual period and involves using a syringe to remove the pregnancy from the lining of the uterus (also under the care of a qualified health care professional)

• Suction curettage can be done up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Under the care of a qualified health care professional the contents of the uterus is removed by a suction device that is inserted into the uterus. After 12 weeks of pregnancy this procedure may be called a “dilation and evacuation."

• Labor-inducing abortion is used for abortions later in pregnancy. Drugs put into the vagina and injected into the uterus or given through an intravenous (IV) line induces labor

You also have choices about what to do after the baby is born. You can keep the baby or you can place the baby for adoption. You can also place the baby with foster parents for a short time until you can take care of your baby. The final decision about pregnancy is yours.

Think about what it means to be a mother and to take care of another person much of the day and night. There will not be much time for the things you used to do. Pregnancy and childbirth will change your life forever.

Caring for a baby is a lot of work and responsibilities that can enrich your life in ways you never dreamed were possible.

Caring for a baby takes a lot of time and money. You will still need to find time for yourself and school. Will you have help from friends, family, or neighbors to care for the baby when you need time away? Daycare can be expensive. There are agencies, however, that help you with daycare if you have no family or friends to help you. Qualified health care professionals, school nurses, counselors or social workers and agencies such as Planned Parenthood can help you find daycare or babysitting resources.

Is the baby’s father willing to help you? The baby’s father can and needs to play a role during pregnancy and birth if he is available to do so. He can learn to take care of the baby and share this responsibility with you. Many teenaged parents are not ready to commit to a marriage, however, even if you do not get married, the father is required by law to pay child support payments.

You and your baby will need a place to live, money for food, clothing, car seats, strollers, baby beds, play pens and many other items and accessories.

Prenatal care is vital for increasing your chances of a healthy pregnancy, birth and baby. The earlier you start your prenatal care the better it will be for you and the baby. Prenatal care includes medical care and counseling.

It is a good idea to take childbirth classes if you decide to keep your baby. Check in your area to see if there are special classes just for teenage pregnancy. In these classes you will learn more about pregnancy, giving birth, breastfeeding and becoming a parent. The classes can help teach you the skills you will need to take care of your baby which includes how to feed, diaper and bathe your baby.

If you are not already eating healthy, now is the time you definitely need to start. You will also need to avoid substances that may harm your baby such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs. Take only the drugs your health care professional prescribes to you and take them exactly according to his or her instructions. Do not increase or decrease the amount. Most usually pregnant women, teenage pregnancies or older, are not given even prescription medications, however, in some instances this may be necessary. Always follow the instructions of your health care professional.

The following are some healthier eating tips:

• Eat sandwiches and hamburgers with lettuce, tomato and other sliced vegetables

• Snack on fresh or dried fruits and/or vegetables

• Stay pretty much away from the cookies and candy bars, they will add weight but no nutrition for you or your baby

• Eat baked potatoes with butter or with low-fat sour cream

• Drink 100% fruit juice or milk more often than sodas

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can create a number of problems for your baby which includes:

•Mental, physical and emotional problems

No one should smoke during pregnancy or around you during pregnancy. This also can cause a number of problems which include:

• More likely to have a miscarriage

• Baby may not gain enough weight during your pregnancy

• Baby can be at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome

After the baby is born smoking should still be prohibited. It can cause the baby to be ill more often and to have breathing problems.

The use of street drugs can cause severe problems which include:

• Miscarriage

• A baby born dead

• Birth defects

• Giving birth too early

• Having a baby too small or who is addicted

Realizing you are a pregnant may be scary. You do have choices and options, and there are people you can trust to help you if you cannot tell your parents.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All rights reserved