Teen Pregnancy

*In Hawai'i, 1153 pregnant teens were found in 1996-1997. The youngest was in grade 7 (12 yrs. old).
*165 teen males were fathers or became fathers in 1996.
*All fathers are responsible for child support.
*Part-Hawaiians and Filipino's make up the majority of teen pregnancies.
*In 1995, there were 2,116 pregnancies to mothers 18 years old or younger.
-1200 resulted in live births
-78 resulted in fetal deaths
-838 resulted in elected abortions

Top 10 Birth Control Methods:
*Protects against BOTH STD's & Pregnancy/ Can get in the stores
1) ABSTINENCE - no oral, anal, or vaginal sex - 100%
2) Male Condoms W/ Spermicide - (foam, gel, jelly, film) - 99%
3) Male Condoms alone - 97%
4) Female Condoms - 95%
5) Dental Dams & Saran Wrap (or dry flavored condoms) - ?not known

Protects from STD's during oral sex ONLY! *protects against Pregnancy Only/ Must come into the clinic
6) The Pill - 99.9%
7) Norplant - 99.95%
8) Depo-Provera Shot - 99.7%
9) Diaphragm - 94%
10) Cervical Cap - 91%

Common Symptoms of Pregnancy:
-missed period(s)
-nausea or vomiting (morning sickness)
-fatigue
-change in appetite
-frequent urination

Pregnancy Options:
1) Parenting- big responsibility- need lots of $$$$- must get early pre-natal care
2) Adoption- many options in this area incl. closed or open adoptions-a loving but very difficult choice.
3) Abortion-Difficult choice, cost $$$, unacceptable to some people
*You must live with your decision!!!! Decide Early
- Don¹t Do It or Protect Yourself!!!!!

US Teen Pregnancy Stats:
*Only 50% of teen mothers graduate from high school.
*Every year, more than 1 million U.S. teenagers become pregnant, or 1 in 9 women aged 15-19.
*Half of the million pregnancies are miscarried or aborted. Half a million babies each year are born to teen parents.
*Nearly 60% of teen mothers are living in poverty at the time of the birth.
*20% of teen pregnancies occur within the 1st month of sexual activity.
*One-half (50%) of all first-time teen pregnancies occur within 6 mos. of first sexual intercourse.
*Children of teen parents face greater rates of difficulties in school.
*Pregnant teens and parenting moms account for 1/4th of the dropout population.
*Maternal mortality or death rate for moms under 15 is 60% greater than women in their 20¹s.

Teen Pregnancy Risks:
*Children born to young mothers are at greater risk of being born with a low birthweight (under 5 1/2 lbs.) and at greater risk of a # of physical problems like asthma, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), Down's Syndrome, behavioral problems, etc.
*Teen moms are at higher risk for pregnancy complications, including anemia, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, toxemia, cervical trauma, and premature delivery.
*5 years after the birth of her first child, a teen mom:
-usually gets less additional education than her peers
-less likely to be working, or
-if working, more likely to hold a lower paying job
*Children born to teen mothers also showed poorer intellectual development, were more likely to live in a single-parent home, and were more likely to become teen parents themselves.