Teen Pregnancy

[Myshkin]

Hi all, I come to you seeking answers.
When I Google "teenage pregnancy," all I get is public service announcements and preaching.

I'm fifteen years old, and my significant other and I want to have a baby.
I realize that I'm young, and young people tend to regret things. I also know that lots of men (read: boys) don't know what they want and tend to abandon their women. However, I am also aware that I'm emotionally ready for any outcome, he and I are financially stable, and he won't leave me. With this in mind, please don't try to persuade me to reconsider.

Now, onto the question!
Will my age negatively affect the fetus/baby?

The reason I ask is because all of the statistics that suggest this take into consideration the fact that most teenage mothers don't take care of themselves during pregnancy, and neglect the child during its formative years.
I wouldn't do this. I would find an obstetrician and do all it would take to ensure the good health of my baby. So, despite my efforts, would being so young still cause premature birth/defects etc? I know that women over 35 face problems related to birth defects and such, but am I risking it, too?

If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to see some sources, as well.

[SpineGirl]

There are a lot of risks for you to get pregnant at the age of 15, your body is not fully developed yet and won't be until you are in your 20s which can lead to you going into labor before your baby is full term, so your baby can be premature or be of low birth weight, you can develop anemia, and you can have a higher chance of having a miscarriage, etc.

Do a search for teen pregnangy complications or teen pregnancy risks to see more information or go talk to a doctor at somewhere like planned parenthood.

Why do you want to have a baby right now? Why not wait for a few more years?

[scottyboy10]

'He wont leave me'.

I'm a guy and i've had a kid young and trust me falling out of love happens or friends happen or another chemistry happens for another girl, but suit yourself. I'd love for you to write back and tell me the baby pregnancy is off.

Expectant mother, would you like-
(1) A baby that is so strong and vigorous at birth ?
(2) To be able to hold your weight within normal limits while pregnant ?
(3) A short labor with a quick recovery ?
(well who wouldn't?)
then are you willing to-
eliminate sugar, white flour and milk from your diet ?
eat soft cheese, rye bread and cornbread ?
eat atleast one egg a day ?
eat liver heart or tripe once a week ?
eat two raw vegetables a day ?
eat nuts frequently?
avoid citrus fruit and juice ?
drink grape, apple or cranberry juice ?
take 2 teaspoons of honey with each meal ?
eat 1 avocado a day ?

For all the reasons why get these 2 books;
(1) Why raise Ugly kids Hal A. hggins
(2) Farmacists Desk Reference Don Tolman

trust me you will get more than what you need to know about teenage pregnancy from conception to 18 yrs old !!!!!!

[Myshkin]

There are a lot of risks for you to get pregnant at the age of 15, your body is not fully developed yet and won't be until you are in your 20s which can lead to you going into labor before your baby is full term, so your baby can be premature or be of low birth weight, you can develop anemia, and you can have a higher chance of having a miscarriage, etc.

Do a search for teen pregnangy complications or teen pregnancy risks to see more information or go talk to a doctor at somewhere like planned parenthood.

Why do you want to have a baby right now? Why not wait for a few more years?

Thanks for your reply.

I don't quite understand why the fact that my body isn't fully developed would cause premature birth. Also, isn't low birth weight caused by not eating enough/the right foods?

I read that before 35, the risk of miscarriage is significantly lower.

Why do I want to have a baby right now? Well, I suppose the answer is not so simple as to succinctly relay it in a forum post. First of all, I'm so deeply in love with my significant other. I know this seems to be a naive reason. I'm not saying it justifies the decision, since a lot of relationships don't work out in the end; I'm just being honest here. Biologically, love yields babies.
I want to be a part of that, and no one knows where I'll be four or five years from now. I am not wholly convinced that I'll be as prepared for pregnancy as I currently am.

Again, I very much appreciate the input.

[SpineGirl]

Thanks for your reply.

I don't quite understand why the fact that my body isn't fully developed would cause premature birth. Also, isn't low birth weight caused by not eating enough/the right foods?

At 15 you are still growing and maturing, if you get pregnant and your uterus is not fully developed your body could force you into labor before you are full term. There are a number of things that could cause low birth weight, your diet is one of them.

I read that before 35, the risk of miscarriage is significantly lower.

That is true, but there is also a risk if you are too young as well.

Why do I want to have a baby right now? Well, I suppose the answer is not so simple as to succinctly relay it in a forum post. First of all, I'm so deeply in love with my significant other. I know this seems to be a naive reason. I'm not saying it justifies the decision, since a lot of relationships don't work out in the end; I'm just being honest here. Biologically, love yields babies.
I want to be a part of that, and no one knows where I'll be four or five years from now. I am not wholly convinced that I'll be as prepared for pregnancy as I currently am.

Again, I very much appreciate the input.

If you don't know where you will be in 4 or 5 years then do you really want to have 4 or 5 year old at that point?

Just out of curiousity, you said that you and your significant other are financially stable, how old is he, what does he do for a living? Do you plan on finishing school after you have a baby?

[Myshkin]

'He wont leave me'.

I'm a guy and i've had a kid young and trust me falling out of love happens or friends happen or another chemistry happens for another girl, but suit yourself. I'd love for you to write back and tell me the baby pregnancy is off.

Expectant mother, would you like-
(1) A baby that is so strong and vigorous at birth ?
(2) To be able to hold your weight within normal limits while pregnant ?
(3) A short labor with a quick recovery ?
(well who wouldn't?)
then are you willing to-
eliminate sugar, white flour and milk from your diet ?
eat soft cheese, rye bread and cornbread ?
eat atleast one egg a day ?
eat liver heart or tripe once a week ?
eat two raw vegetables a day ?
eat nuts frequently?
avoid citrus fruit and juice ?
drink grape, apple or cranberry juice ?
take 2 teaspoons of honey with each meal ?
eat 1 avocado a day ?

For all the reasons why get these 2 books;
(1) Why raise Ugly kids Hal A. hggins
(2) Farmacists Desk Reference Don Tolman

trust me you will get more than what you need to know about teenage pregnancy from conception to 18 yrs old !!!!!!

I understand that falling out of love happens often. Honestly, I don't see it happening to us, but in the event that it does, I will have enough support to get through it.

I'm pretty excited about the list you just wrote because I never eat refined sugars/flour, love rye, always eat vegetables/eggs/nuts/beans/avocado (which I know is technically a nut)/honey/fruits.
Seems like I have most of it down. I am also prepared to slowly start adding meat and fish to my diet. It'll be a big change but I'd do it to ensure that the fetus gets every possible nutritional advantage.

Thank you for your response and the book recommendations!

[Myshkin]

If you don't know where you will be in 4 or 5 years then do you really want to have 4 or 5 year old at that point?

Well, yes. It's a little tricky to explain, but once I'm *in* something serious, I invest all of my effort. I know that once I start raising a child, the bond will be strong and fulfilling.

Just out of curiousity, you said that you and your significant other are financially stable, how old is he, what does he do for a living? Do you plan on finishing school after you have a baby?

He's 21, and he's in law enforcement. Not the "dangerous" sort; he's a border officer.
I plan on doing a highschool correspondence program - kind of like homeschooling but with a solid public school curriculum.
Once I get my highschool diploma, I'll see whether or not I want to take university courses/GED/whathaveyou. If all works out with my boyfriend, I won't need to have a career at all, but
a) it might NOT work out
and/or b) I might want to do something useful in addition to parenting.

[Myshkin]

'He wont leave me'.

I'm a guy and i've had a kid young and trust me falling out of love happens or friends happen or another chemistry happens for another girl, but suit yourself. I'd love for you to write back and tell me the baby pregnancy is off.

Expectant mother, would you like-
(1) A baby that is so strong and vigorous at birth ?
(2) To be able to hold your weight within normal limits while pregnant ?
(3) A short labor with a quick recovery ?
(well who wouldn't?)
then are you willing to-
eliminate sugar, white flour and milk from your diet ?
eat soft cheese, rye bread and cornbread ?
eat atleast one egg a day ?
eat liver heart or tripe once a week ?
eat two raw vegetables a day ?
eat nuts frequently?
avoid citrus fruit and juice ?
drink grape, apple or cranberry juice ?
take 2 teaspoons of honey with each meal ?
eat 1 avocado a day ?

For all the reasons why get these 2 books;
(1) Why raise Ugly kids Hal A. hggins
(2) Farmacists Desk Reference Don Tolman

trust me you will get more than what you need to know about teenage pregnancy from conception to 18 yrs old !!!!!!

I understand that falling out of love happens often. Honestly, I don't see it happening to us, but in the event that it does, I will have enough support to get through it.

I'm pretty excited about the list you just wrote because I never eat refined sugars/flour, love rye, always eat vegetables/eggs/nuts/beans/avocado (which I know is technically a nut)/honey/fruits.
Seems like I have most of it down. I am also prepared to slowly start adding meat and fish to my diet. It'll be a big change but I'd do it to ensure that the fetus gets every possible nutritional advantage.

Thank you for your response and the book recommendations!

[SpineGirl]

Well, yes. It's a little tricky to explain, but once I'm *in* something serious, I invest all of my effort. I know that once I start raising a child, the bond will be strong and fulfilling.

He's 21, and he's in law enforcement. Not the "dangerous" sort; he's a border officer.
I plan on doing a high school correspondence program - kind of like homeschooling but with a solid public school curriculum.
Once I get my highschool diploma, I'll see whether or not I want to take university courses/GED/whathaveyou. If all works out with my boyfriend, I won't need to have a career at all, but
a) it might NOT work out
and/or b) I might want to do something useful in addition to parenting.

Ok, I see where you are coming from and I get it. But what happens if you and your boyfriend breakup in a year? or 2 years? You are going to be stuck raising an infant by yourself? Have you thought all this through?

Is your boyfriend ready to be a parent? Does he understand all that comes with being a parent? Have you attended parenting classes?

Have you thought all the ifs, ands, ands buts through?

I am 22, and I am constantly thinking what would happen if I got pregnant with my boyfriend, it's a struggle for me and I'd hate for you to get stuck in some predicament that you don't know what to do with and I have been working with infants for years and am still working in the medical field. I am more than capable of being of being a parent but I don't know if that is something that I want to do right now.

[Myshkin]

Ok, I see where you are coming from and I get it. But what happens if you and your boyfriend breakup in a year? or 2 years? You are going to be stuck raising an infant by yourself? Have you thought all this through?

Is your boyfriend ready to be a parent? Does he understand all that comes with being a parent? Have you attended parenting classes?

Have you thought all the ifs, ands, ands buts through?

In the event of a breakup, which is unlikely because my boyfriend is the most responsible person I have ever met, I would have my mother to help me raise the baby.

He's ready to become a parent. He pretty much was a father figure for his youngest brother. We haven't taken parenting classes, but the idea sounds interesting.

I am 22, and I am constantly thinking what would happen if I got pregnant with my boyfriend, it's a struggle for me and I'd hate for you to get stuck in some predicament that you don't know what to do with and I have been working with infants for years and am still working in the medical field. I am more than capable of being of being a parent but I don't know if that is something that I want to do right now.

Yes, I understand that there are people older than me who don't know if they want to have children immediately. That is, however, what I want and know I am mentally prepared. I'd be skeptical of this apparently overconfident teenager myself, but as it happens, I know myself pretty well.

Also I hope if you guys decide to have a baby you'll be the happiest couple in the world.