YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT

"I'm pregnant." Over one million teenage girls in this country say these words each year. If you find that your teenage daughter is pregnant, you may have some very strong emotions. Your daughter has told you this because she needs your love, support, and guidance.

When a daughter gets pregnant, many parents blame themselves. It does not do any good to place blame. What needs to happen now, is for the daughter to get some good advice from people she can trust. She has many important decisions to make.

A teen who is pregnant has three options to consider. One is to place the baby for adoption. Another is to have an abortion, and the last is to raise the child herself.

Today there is less stigma attached to being a teen mom, and many girls choose to become a parent. But as adults know, being a parent is a huge responsibility. It may be helpful to have your daughter talk with a family counselor, someone who can help her think through all the pros and cons of each option.

Often teen girls get pregnant to hold onto a boyfriend, or to have something to love of their own. They do not think about all the dirty diapers, the crying at night, and the loss of social life. Counselors can help pregnant teens face the reality of parenthood, not the fantasy. They can also help teens figure out why they got pregnant in the first place. This is important to deal with, or it may happen again.

Your daughter has the right to decide what she wishes to do with her pregnancy. No matter what her decision, a counselor can help her through the strong emotions she will be feeling. Often, teens who become pregnant drop out of school. Encourage her to stay in school. Many schools offer teenage parent programs to help girls complete their education.

As hard as it may be, try to give your daughter your honest advice and your love. She needs it now.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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