I am 17 years old and I may, very likely, be pregnant. I posted a question on here yesterday about adoption, but after reading the answers and talking to my boyfriend about it, we have decided almost 100% that we will keep it. I was just wondering if any teen mothers, or just mothers in general, have any advice for me as to how to deal with the pregnancy and being a teen mother. Anything will help! Thank you!Pregnancy and parenting help for a 17 year old mother?
The first suggestion I have is to get in touch with an OB/GYN if you don't have one already, arrange for a blood test to confirm your pregnancy, and make your first prenatal appointment. You can also get a test at Planned Parenthood or your local Health District. You can research OB/GYN's online too.
I'm assuming that you have already told your parents and that you have insurance through them. Now is the time to make sure that Maternity coverage for you is part of the deal. If it's not, or if you are uninsured, find out about getting signed up for Medicaid. You can Google your state %26amp; Medicaid to get the correct department contact information or look in the phone book. Make sure you get regular prenatal care!
Your baby and you both need extra vitamins and good nourishment. Now is not the time to be concerned about fitting into a certain pair of jeans. Eat balanced meals and snacks, with lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains, milk %26amp; lean proteins. Cut down on caffeine or eliminate it, if you can. Take a prenatal vitamin every day. Drink a lot of water.
I would also make an appointment with your school guidance counselor and talk frankly about your goals for your education now that you're pregnant. *DO NOT let your counselor try to talk you out of keeping your child or try to put you in touch with an adoption agency. If this happens, end the appointment and get your parents involved. There are programs offered in every state to help you complete your education while you are pregnant and parenting; your life is not ';ruined'; and you don't have to forget about college or your future goals because you are a young mom.
Pick up the books ';What to Expect When You're Expecting'; and ';What to Expect The First Year';. Pregnancy and parenting a newborn can be scary, lonely, and uncertain for parents of all ages. It's important to read up on typical things that happen to your body as you progress, when to call the doctor for your newborn, etc. Give a copy to your boyfriend; it's his baby, too. He needs to know. I also recommend ';The Expectant Father'; for dads; it helps break the stuff down into guy-language and may make him feel less panicky than ';What to Expect';.
As you get farther along, sign up for childbirth classes and parenting classes through the hospital where you plan to deliver. Your local Health District may also offer ';Baby Your Baby'; programs that give you such resources for free or highly discounted. Start thinking about what kind of birth you want and your first parenting choices. Will you try unmedicated, or do you want an epidural as soon as it's allowed? Do you plan to breast-feed, and if so, make sure the hospital staff knows. Line up a pediatrician in your 3rd trimester; your OB may have a list of references. Otherwise, ask moms you know for referrals.
You might want to consider joining a group for young moms on Yahoo or on a website like Babycenter.com, where birth club boards for your expected month of delivery are probably already active, and different groups of moms, including young moms, typically start specialized threads to support and encourage each other within those boards.
Start stocking up on diapers, wipes, sleep-n-plays (one piece pajamas), very mild baby wash (I used Johnson's head to toe), and other items that you'll use often. Ditch the fancy crib set and get a Pack-N-Play with a bassinet and changer. It's all my kid slept in for 6 months. Also, the hospital will not let you take your baby home without an infant car seat, so make that one of the first items you get.
Expect that your body will change. You'll waddle. You'll swell. You'll stretch. This is all normal. It can be hard for a woman to feel like she's out of control of her body, but always remember the end result: your beautiful baby.
You are also going to be in a different place than most of your friends, and while the joys of parenting are many and wonderful, there is a lot of sacrifice and hard work involved, too. I'm not saying that to frighten you, but I think it is a disservice to try and tell you there won't be days the baby won't stop crying, and you feel like joining him/her. There will be times you have been up all night with a sick child and you still have to get up and go to work or class the next morning. Some of your friends will stick around and prove their mettle through thick and thin. Others may not be who you thought they were, and drift away.
Finally, know that all parents make mistakes, lose their tempers, have bad days. Your baby will love you and forgive you. Give yourself room and time to learn and grow into your new role. Ask for advice, lean on your support system, and lavish love on your child. That alone makes up for a multitude of errors. Also, the first time, and every time, you get a little smile, a giggle, or a ';Mommy!'; just for you, you will know in your heart that it's all worth it. Motherhood is a gift. It's one you have to work at all your life, but a glorious thing indeed.
I applaud you greatly for following your heart and parenting your child. Best of luck to you and your boyfriend as you navigate this challenging but wonderful journey.Pregnancy and parenting help for a 17 year old mother?
Just be patient and ask for help when you feel overwhelmed raising a child can be great but also stressful at times especially for a first time parent. FInd some mothers morning out programs at local churchs so you can get some time to do things without the baby but remeber to enjoy the baby they grow up way too fast.
I have heard from young parents that they dont appreciate the newborn stage because ';they dont do anything' this doesnt last long. Soon baby will be pulling up and getting into everything.
Enjoy your baby, it is truly a miracle to have a child and raise him/her.
CONGRATS!
Being a mother no matter what age you are is challenge.Sounds like you have the support of your boyfriend which is a plus.I hope u can finish high school if u haven't all ready.I feel you made the right choice to keep it and step up to the responsibility instead of abortion or adoption.That child is a part of you and your boyfriend.Being a mother is a blessing.
I think your making the right decision. I am 19 years old and pregnant I am married but its very hard still, just think positive about the whole situation. Dont take any critisim to heart it will just make you and your baby stressed. There are alot of free clinics and help for teen mothers out there. Depending on what state you live in there is free medical insurance for the mother and the baby. Just try and provide for your child the best life you can possibly give it. Continue school you will be happy you did later in life. You will do a great job.
God Bless and Good Luck
Don't let people get to you. Everyone will judge you, and it's a lot of stress to deal with. As long as you know that you will make a great mother, and you will do everything to give it a good life, I wouldn't worry. It's really hard I will tell you that. I haven't even had my baby yet, and I'm already worrying about so many things at once. I'll give you a link to a poem that helped me when I first found out. Email me if you would like to be pg buddies, I'm only 13 weeks so I'm still in my first trimester.
I was a 17 year old teen mom too. I don't know that there's ';advice'; more than there is being able to offer some real life experience. Be prepared to cry and to cry often. You're going to and believe it or not sometimes crying out your frustrations into a pillow helps. Make sure you always put your child first...even before your BF. Babies take so much more than they give, be prepared for that. Work hard, but always leave time for your baby. Keep a good relationship with your family......what they say is true, ';it takes a village to raise a child';. Finally and most important, don't let the pregancy keep you from your education. Give your child someone to be proud of.
Congratulations and good luck. I wish you the best!
just take one day at a time. don't try to be perfect. the good thing is if you make a mistake with a baby, the baby does not even know it! be the best that you can, always put your childs needs first, and enjoy it all. it can be difficult, but it's so worth it. i got pregnant senior year. finish school!!! you can do it. now that son is almost 5. and i have another boy who is 9 months old. i do not regret it at all. my kids are awesome. i'm crazy about them. and honestly, i'm glad i had him at 18. for a lot of reasons. i'll always be young enough to have a lot of fun with him, and not too old to forget what it was like to be a kid. my boys rock, and congratulations and enjoy. best advice i ever got about parenting- sleep when the baby sleeps. when they are new. ignore the dishes, the laundry, whatever. get sleep when you can.
I was 17 when I had my son. Being a parent is hard and even harder when I was younger. I advise you to get on some type of birth control so that you don't get pregnant again. It is not the end of the world for you. You have some serious responsibility ahead of you. Remember your child didn't ask to be here so it is your job to make sure your child is well taken care. Being a young parent/parent is a hard job but worth it in the long run. Don't stop getting your education. Your child should only slow you down but never stop you from getting your education and/or bettering yourself.
I hope yor boyfriend continues to be as supportive, and that you have a good family and friends. There is no reason why you should not make a good mother. You have obviously thought this through. As to pregnancy, I think mother nature is often kind to younger mums. Make contact with a good midwife, and maybe a childbirth support group. Just make sure you get all the help and advice going. Good luck!
I am also a teen mom, but i am a single parent. Faith my daughter her dad doesn't want anything to do with her. He has never seen her and she is over a year. I missed out on a lot being pregnant. I did not want her at all. I was mad because i had messed up my life. I could have cared less about her and when she came into the world at first i didn't do much with her. Now we spend everyday and every hour together. She is the one that i know will love me forever no matter what. So enjoy being pregnant it is a great thing. Money wise it is crazy, make sure you go to school. I am finishing up school right now. Even throw it is crazy i am glad i am doing. Our life is going to be so much better off. I will be able to giver her what ever she wants. So if you have any more questions i am more then will to tell you what happened with us!
Its life changing , its hard. Because now you have to worry about another life. That you will have to take care of 24/7 up until they move out and on their own. Even then they still need you to be a parent.
The best books are What to Expect when your Expecting will help with, your body changes. The next thing would be reading as much information on what a child needs. Because now you have to take care of food, shelter, clothes, diapers, medical ,dental. This is not short term.
You are blessed that you have a supportive partner willing to take his place at your side. I am a Mom to an eight y/o son and he is wonderful. I have only two pieces of advice for you ... 1. start stocking up on diapers/wipes etc. early
2. follow your heart and everything will work itself out
Best of Luck ... Congrats.
Susan
Get a support team together to have people help out after baby is born. Start stocking up on diapers and wipes. Best of luck and props for being mature and not having an abortion.
K, you should go to http://www.picturesofpregnancystages.net and at least learn a little about being pregnant.
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