One simple decision can change your life.......
How could I let this happen?
I'm too young....I'm not ready to have a child. I am a child.
Teen pregnancy rates in the United States have declined steadily in recent years. More than 60 of every 1000 teen women gave birth in 1991 and 51 per 1000 in 1998 (the last year for which data are available). This decline is thought to be attributed to more effective birth control practice and decreased sexual activity among teens. Still, teenage pregnancy rates remain high. In the United States, approximately 1 million teenage girls become pregnant every year. As many as 5% of teenage girls give birth and, in 1997, about 13% of U.S. births were to teens. About 25% of teenage girls who give birth have another baby within 2 years. In order to lower teenage birthrates, teens must be educated about sex and the consequences of pregnancy.
Teen pregnancy is an important issue.
There are health risks to the baby and children born to teenage mothers are more likely to suffer health, social, and emotional problems. There is an increased risk for complications such as premature labor during teen pregnancy and socioeconomic consequences as well. It is important for teens to know that there are people and organizations that are willing to help teen mothers and to help prevent more teens from becoming pregnant.
Below are some links for more information. (Some are better than others)
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Lifecall: Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Greene Country Family Planning
159 Jefferson Heights
Catskill, NY 12414
518-943-5679
health clinic, testing, and counseling
Columbia Opportunities
State Street
Hudson, NY 12534
518-828-4611
518-822-1220
Counseling, teen parent programs
Alpha Pregnancy Center
Herbert Drive
Latham, NY 12010
518-785-3252
518-785-6565
Pregnancy testing, counseling, and financial and medical assistance.
America's Pregnancy Hotline
Hotlines: 1-888-4-options & 1-800-672-2296
Email: aph@thehelpline.org
By mail:
America's Pregnancy Helpline
1425 Greenway Drive, Suite 440
Las Colinas, TX 75038
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
General Number: 202-478-8500
Hotlines for Pregnancy
1-800-230-PLAN (1-800-230-7526)
Planned Parenthood Federation of America's national hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can connect you to a local clinic that can give you information about pregnancy testing.