It is a fact that many people are pleased to discover that teen pregnancy rates are falling. However, there are still approximately one million teenage girls who will discover they are pregnant just this year alone. Sadly, one teen pregnancy can often be followed by another teen pregnancy. In fact, a female that experiences a teen pregnancy will have an increased chance of up to 25% of having another pregnancy within two years of her first delivery.



One of the most important issues that needs to be addressed concerning teen pregnancy is the importance of educating pregnant teens about proper eating habits. When compared to adult pregnant women, pregnant teens are less likely to gain an adequate amount of weight during their pregnancies. A pregnant female who does not gain weight at a steady and moderate pace during her pregnancy may have a child that has a low birth weight. If a baby is born with a low birth weight, he or she is more susceptible to a host of health problems, including underdeveloped organs.

It is highly important that teenage girls who become pregnant receive routine pre-natal care. There are some teens that hide their pregnancy and they don't receive the pre-natal care that they need. Babies who are born to mothers who receive little or no pre-natal care are more likely to become ill and die before they reach their first birthday. Unfortunately, teenagers who are pregnant are more likely to smoke, drink and take illicit drugs during their pregnancy. Those involved in a teen pregnancy should receive routine pre-natal care and be educated about the harm that smoking, drinking and illegal drugs pose to their health and especially the health of their unborn baby.

While there should never be blanket statements made about a teen pregnancy, or the children of teen parents, statistics do show that children who are the result of a teen pregnancy are less likely to receive the health care they need. This could include social and cognitive stimulation, general health care and nutrition. In addition, statistics show that males that are born to a teen mother are more likely to become incarcerated when they are adults when compared to males who are born to adult mothers. Girls who are born to a teen mother are more likely to wind up being teen mothers, too.

There are things that we can do to help the teenagers in our lives.

First, the lines of communication between adults and teenagers should always be open. Every teen should have at least one adult in their lives that they feel able to confide in and who is open to talking about sex, peer pressure and feelings.

Second, teens should be taught about sexual pressure and what to do if they are being pressured into sexual relationships. Help your teen develop his or her communication skills so that if they find themselves in an uncomfortable sexual situation, he or she will have the skills to say no.

Third, you should take a mature stance and talk to your teenager about contraceptives. Make them available should your teen decide to become sexually active.

Fourth, it is essential that teenagers know and feel that they are loved by the adults in their lives. Unfortunately, many times teenagers turn to sex simply because they do not feel loved on the home front.

Fifth, if, despite your best endeavors your teen does become involved in a teen pregnancy, you should do everything within your power to help guide him or her every step of the way. Ensure that your teen's health and well being are your number one priority.