How to Parent a Pregnant Teen

Nearly one million teen girls give birth every year. For some, a pregnancy comes as an unwelcomed surprise. Others may attempt to become pregnant, believing that a baby will love them unconditionally. Whatever the case may be, and regardless of how you may feel as a parent when your teen breaks the news to you, a pregnant teen needs your support and love through her pregnancy.

1. ·  Talk about options. Initially your teen may be experiencing a myriad of emotions: fear, resentment, denial and confusion. Although you will be on an emotional rollercoaster ride as well, you need to place your feelings to the side and concentrate on what is right for your daughter. If she doesn't feel comfortable returning to school, offer to get her a tutor. If she knows she does not want the responsibility of raising a baby, consider adoption. If she chooses to keep the baby, help her to understand the responsibility facing her and the changes it will bring not only to her life, but to the lives your family as well. Laying out her options and helping her decide what is best is the first step in demonstrating your support for her.

·  2  Seek medical care immediately. The younger the teen, the higher the risk for complications during labor. For this reason, early pre-natal care is very important for the health of your daughter and the baby she is carrying. When you take her to the doctor, be sure not to chastise her in front of the doctor or make excuses for your pregnant teen's actions, regardless of any embarrassment you may feel. This will only belittle your daughter, who may be feeling enough shame about her condition.

·  3 Help her change her lifestyle. During her pregnancy, your daughter will need to make certain lifestyle changes to ensure the delivery of a healthy baby. Take walks with her to help her to get the exercise she needs, which may ease the pain of labor. Make sure she eats right. Provide her with plenty of fruits and veggies. Encourage her to drink water, milk and juice. If you know your teen may have been smoking, take her to smoking-cessation classes to assist her in quitting. Through all of these changes, be sure to provide gentle encouragement rather than taking the dictator route. Remember that she will soon be hormonal, and you want to avoid any unnecessary fighting between the two of you.

·  4  Sign up for pre-natal classes. This can be a class focused on pregnant teens a or childbirth class for later in her pregnancy. Do not force her to attend, but explain that these classes will help prepare her for the birth of the baby and for life as a mother once the baby is born.

·  5 Show her love. Most parents are so caught up in their own emotions over their teen's pregnancy, they don't take enough time to think about what their teen is feeling. Your teen may feel as though she has let you down and caused you shame. This is why it's important to talk to your daughter about her, and not about her mistake. You need to let her know that you are still proud of her and love her as much as you did before she became pregnant. This is a time for mothers and daughters to bond. Relay to her how you felt when you became pregnant for the first time. If she feels she can relate to you, she will have an easier time coping with all that lies ahead of her.

If you are having a difficult time accepting your daughter's pregnancy and find it hard to be supportive due to your own emotions, find someone to talk to. Your feelings need to be validated and understood in order to support your daughter. Also, regardless of your teen's age, do not insist that she marry the baby's father. This could be the biggest mistake of her life, as many teens are not truly in love with one another at the time of conception. Marrying for the sake of a baby is never a good reason to marry.

Resource:

 Myers, H. (2013). How to Parent a Pregnant Teen. Retrieved from the ehow website: http://www.ehow.com/how_4706106_parent-pregnant-teen.html