What is a Teenage Pregnancy?
A teen pregnancy is technically a pregnancy experienced by a young woman or couple in the teenaged years, between 13 and 19 years of age. For statistical purposes there may be a division made between the pregnancies of under-16 year olds and under-19 years old, and sometimes pregnancies experienced by those as young as 11 year olds are considered teenage pregnancies.
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Teenage pregnancies occur the same way that any other pregnancies occur – as the result of sexual intercourse. Some teens may intend to get pregnant, but research suggests that the vast majority of teen pregnancies are accidental and unplanned. Broken condoms, contraceptive pills taken incorrectly, “withdrawing” too late and completely unprotected sex are often the culprits of unplanned pregnancies.
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What Options Exist for Pregnant Teens?
Pregnant teens in the UK face most of the same options as any other expectant mothers or couples. The most common options include giving birth and raising a child, giving birth and putting the child up for adoption or having an abortion to terminate the pregnancy. Abortions are not available in Northern Ireland, and a young woman under the age of 16 may only have an abortion without parental consent if her doctors determine that she meets the Fraser Guidelines:
- She understands the medical professional’s advice.
- She can not be persuaded to inform her parents.
- She is competent to give consent to the treatment.
- It is in her best interest not to inform her parents of the procedure.
Teen pregnancies can be traumatic for everyone involved, not the least because few teens, their parents, relatives or friends know what kind of support is available for teen pregnancies and teen parents. If you or someone you know is facing a teen pregnancy, research the support available in your area as well as nationally with items such as housing, food, clothing and education, but most of all be there to provide emotional support regardless of the chosen outcome. Of course, the first step to seeking and finding support is telling others of a teen pregnancy, so be bold and share your secret or urge others to share theirs. Good luck!
I'm 13 years old and I'm pregnant with twins. I don't know what I should do but I'm searching for a baby sitter.
Can you help me?
Now got 2 young sons but I suppose I've been lucky my boyfriend stayed with me.
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