Information on popular complementary and alternative medical topics

WOMEN: PREGNANCY IN ADOLESCENCE

An unplanned pregnancy in your teens is usually a disaster. Out of each hundred Australian women under the age of 20 who conceive, less than five will be married or plan to become pregnant. Even though effective contraception is easy to get these days, nine out of ten adolescent girls risk pregnancy from their first sex. Once sex becomes regular, nine out of ten are taking precautions.

Are there any adolescent girls these days who don’t know about contraception? Why do they take the risk? There seems to be a block against using it the first time, based on a heap of myths and notions including the following.

• ‘It can’t happen the first time’ (one in five teenage girls become pregnant during the first month of risking it).

• Tm too young to get pregnant’ (not after you’ve started periods, and sometimes even before).

• ‘I don’t want to appear to be anticipating sex – “nice girls don’t”.’

• ‘Contraception takes the spontaneity and pleasure out of sex’ (a teenage pregnancy takes more out of your life).

• I’m too embarrassed to ask for contraception’ (how would you feel about admitting you’re pregnant?).

• ‘Contraceptives can be harmful, and I they’re too expensive’ (contraception is very rarely harmful, and having a baby or an abortion is very expensive).

• ‘My parents might find the contraceptives at home’ (I hope most would prefer this to finding out that you’re pregnant).

• ‘If a guy finds out I’m on contraception, he might take advantage of me or think that I sleep around’ (if so, he’s not worth knowing).

Be prepared. You can get condoms from pharmacies and many supermarkets, and other contraception from your doctor or a Family Planning Centre.

If you do become pregnant, what will you do? There’s the choice of:

• marrying or setting up home with the father

• having the baby and bringing it up as a single parent

• having the baby and giving it for adoption (this rarely happens these days)

• having an abortion.

Often all the options are bad. Marriages forced by pregnancy have the highest divorce rate; being a young single parent is usually very tough; abortion may be against your beliefs. Pregnancy counselling services will give you information to help with your decision.

You may dread breaking the news to your family. You will certainly have to tell them if you continue the pregnancy. If you decide on abortion you may not need to confide in your parents, but it is in the best interests of family relationships if you do. Parents often hit the roof at first, but it’s rare for them not to come round after they’ve cooled off, offering you support in whatever decision you make.

*74/31/5*

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