How to Cope With Teen Pregnancy

The teenage years are already filled with struggle and stress. Add on a teen pregnancy and it increases that struggle. There are ways to cope with a teen pregnancy.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Tell parents or guardian or a trusted adult. Many teenage parents don't tell parents right away for fear. A trusted adult could be a school counselor, teacher or grandparent.

2. See a doctor. A doctor can help you understand changes going on with the body. Always see a doctor at first sign that pregnancy is certain. There are risks when a doctor does not see the teenager who is pregnant.

3. Seek professional help if the doctor can't help. Professionals, such as counselors, can help with the emotional roller coasters that a teenage parent will have to deal with.

4. Get community help. Some schools and cities offer teenage parenting classes and other help such as Women, Infant and Children (WIC) which assists with food items for pregnant women.

5. Finish school if at all possible. Try to get a high school diploma. This increases the chances of getting a better paying job. Many communities offer help to get a high school diploma. Seek out assistance to achieve this very important goal.

6. Set goals. Goal setting is important in all aspects of life, and they don't have to be grand. Just set small daily goals to help cope with being a teenage parent.

Resources

• Visit All About Life Challenges to learn more about how to cope with teenage pregnancy.
• This website has information on teenage pregnancy including a help line.