Is teenage pregnancy a sensitive subject? and a present reality. The Statute of the Child and Adolescent considers adolescent to be up to 18 years old, which means that girls of school age and, often, still in the phase of growth and physical development become pregnant.
According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), developing countries, a category in which Brazil is included, together account for 95% of early pregnancies in the world. Each year, seven million teenagers give birth in these countries. This means that about 20,000 girls under the age of 18 per day become mothers.
The news of early pregnancy can be a shock and cause for concern. It is common for the pregnancy to be unplanned and the teenager has to deal with mixed feelings? insecurity, fear, anxiety, stress. In addition, at this stage of life, most adolescents rely on parental support and support, both financially and emotionally.
For parents, the news can be equally impactful. While it may be normal to feel disappointed, nervous, or worried at this point, the mother of a pregnant teenager needs to keep in mind that this is a time when her daughter will need her, perhaps more than at any other time. It is possible that the teenager is faced with strong criticism and judgments of acquaintances, removal of friends and abandonment of responsibility on the part of the baby's father; not being alone in this scenario is critical. Mother support can make all the difference and greatly help the mental and physical health of the teenager facing this situation. Having someone to talk to, ask questions, and share your feelings with is as important as financial aid and medical follow-up.
If you are a pregnant teenager or mother of one, you will find tips on how to deal with the new reality in the course of this article, seeking both physical and emotional health.
Read also: Prenatal: Essential Preparation for Baby Arrival
I'm pregnant: what to do now?
Finding out that you are pregnant in your teens can be a big shock and it is common for the young woman to be confused and unsure how to react to the situation at first.
? Teenage pregnancy, like unplanned pregnancies, puts women in the face of questioning, anguish, and suffering. Considering the case of teenage women, the suffering is mixed with the great fear of parents, the desperation to see their dreams collapse, the uncertainty of their student future, the shame ?, says psychologist Laura Ferreira.
To cope with the new reality in the best way possible, seeking emotional and medical support makes all the difference. Here are some expert tips that can help you right now.
Process the news
Before dealing with other people, you have to deal with your own feelings. "The teenagers who will go through this moment have strength," points out Laura. Is finding strength in yourself essential throughout pregnancy? and also after her.
Share the news with trusted people
? At first, the teenager may be afraid to tell her parents, so she needs to share this truth with someone to? Gain strength? to talk to family members later ?, suggests psychologist Viviane Rossi.
Read also: Different types of childbirth: know the characteristics of each
Telling parents that you are pregnant can be very difficult. Therefore, looking for someone you trust first can be an important step in building a support base. It could be a friend, family member, or anyone close and comfortable with the girl.
Tell your parents
Although difficult, this is a necessary step. "Unlike any other time in life, when alone can decide on herself, in adolescence the woman will need the adults around her to take care of herself and her child," says Laura.
The most important thing at this point is to seek a transparent and respectful conversation on both sides. "The teenager can talk about her feelings, her doubts, her concerns, her fears about the future, as clearly as possible," says Viviane.
Find a mediator
When the idea of talking to parents seems too difficult for the pregnant woman, a tip is to seek outside help. "It is recommended that in case of insecurity, the teenager can also call someone to accompany her at the time to tell her parents, as long as it is someone who can respect all family members," advises Viviane.
Seek Professional Support
Don't be shy about looking for professional support to stay emotionally healthy. Viviane points out that she is a pregnant teenager, suffering from various existential issues, insecurity, low self-esteem, fear and can feed positive or negative fantasies about the future. When not even the comfort of the host is enough, can she seek support groups or individual psychotherapy?
Read also: Breastfeeding: Ask questions and check out tips and reports from mothers
My daughter is pregnant: how to deal with the new reality
For parents, the shock of finding out that their daughter is pregnant is also great. But you need to know how to handle the situation and keep in mind that your daughter needs you even more right now. The moment will be hard for everyone, but no pain justifies violence, be it physical or verbal. To parents, be calm and considerate. Remember that every pain, disappointment and anguish that goes through your heart also afflicts your daughter sitting right in front of you ?, remembers Laura Ferreira.
Is it common for a teenager to seek mainly mother support? both to help her cope with the new reality and to guide her on practical pregnancy issues. While it is not easy for the mother, being available to her daughter without judgment and with much respect is crucial.
• The mother must initially take care of herself, calm down and try to help lead this new family organization. She can also support her daughter by escorting her to medical appointments, talking to the baby's father and family, guiding her on how to take care of herself and the baby on the way. Can you try to be a good companion of your daughter, helping her day by day and protecting her from any negative criticism ?, points out Viviane Rossi.
Consider that your daughter is a teenager and is full of anguish. As Laura points out, it is worth remembering that the young woman is not yet an adult. "Your daughter has not entered the time machine, she is pregnant," says the psychologist. Make yourself available to clarify doubts, talk, help her fight for her rights, and empower her to make things happen in the least traumatic way possible.
Finally, keep in mind that support and support is not synonymous with taking full control of the situation and leaving the teenager without a voice: her choices must always be respected.
The only conduct that should not be taken is to be the mother of the baby who will be your grandson. Difficult as it may be, each must assume its own role: one is a mother, the other is a grandmother ?, says Viviane.
Care of teenage pregnancy
When it comes to physical health, there is no need to despair: Mother and baby can go through this stage completely healthy. As with every pregnancy, is it necessary to take some care and be mindful of health, with the exception that teenage pregnancy needs some extra care? especially in the case of younger pregnant women whose body is not yet fully formed.
The main risks are for the fetus: the incidence of preterm premature birth increases when it comes to teenage pregnancy. The incidence of low birth weight is also higher for babies born to adolescents, as their intrauterine growth competes with that of their mother, who is still growing ?, warns Rodrigo Hurtado, gynecologist at the Origen Clinic. The doctor also points out that premature birth can carry risks such as respiratory complications.
To make sure everything goes well, medical attention is indispensable. "Prenatal care in adolescence is of paramount importance for monitoring and preventing possible complications during pregnancy," says Juliana Amato, gynecologist and obstetrician at the Amato Institute of Advanced Medicine.
The main precautions are, with medical supervision, the control of pregnant women weight gain and fetal growth. In addition, the mother must, as Juliana points out - have a balanced and nutrient-rich diet; avoid smoking, alcohol, strenuous exercise and excess caffeine ?.
For Rodrigo Hurtado, besides the specific prenatal issues, the importance of this monitoring in a teenage pregnancy is even greater. ? Prenatal care serves as an opportunity to build a relationship of trust between the transdisciplinary health team and the patient, promoting decreased chances of unplanned pregnancy through psychological and gynecological support with an emphasis on clarifications about contraception and care with the newborn?
Besides taking care of the baby's health, can't pregnant women forget to take care of themselves? physically and psychologically. For the mother, the risks are more psychological and social than physical. Are the incidence of depression and relationship disorders with family and partner higher ?, points out Dr. Hurtado.
The search for emotional support can greatly contribute to the long-term health of the baby."Adolescents who become mothers suffer a psychological pressure from themselves and society, which can lead to a rejection of their children if they do not have well-structured support," says Dr. Amato.
Depositions
Each experience is unique and things do not happen the same in every case. After all, each teenager deals with pregnancy differently and the family also reacts in different ways.
Angel Mesquita, youtuber from Mother Channel at 18, got pregnant at 17. Check out Angel's testimonial:
“I found out I was pregnant in the second week of menstrual delay. Deep down I already knew I was pregnant and went after confirming my certainty. I did the blood test and my positive was there. Soon after I went to do the ultrasound, gave eight weeks of gestation, already listened to the heart and fell in love right there. Of course it was not all wonders. When I was sure of the pregnancy, I cried, I didn't want to believe it, I was reluctant, I wondered why that, why that stupidity, how I was going to support that little being, what my father would think of me, how I was going to school. with that huge belly, as would be seen by society. It's a mix of surreal feelings! My mother always had control of tampons at home; not on purpose, but she noticed when I didn't use it. And that's how she found out. These were days of crying and questioning, not easy. It was harder for my father to tell, so much so that I didn't tell. Who told me was my stepmother. They both had a thud, but ultimately they helped me and they help me a lot! It is not an easy task to be an even younger mother when we still depend on our parents. At the height of my seventeen years I got pregnant, raised my head and didn't let the shuttlecock fall even though at seven months of gestation I separated from my son's father. Kauan is a blessing, like every child. Unexpected, but that has become a swindle for everyone, without explanation. Greatest pleasure of my life, is caring and loving my child.
Iule M. tells how it was to deal with the challenges during pregnancy and after childbirth. Check out the testimonial:
“In the beginning it was very difficult: my parents were very hurt with me, I was very bad, ashamed, afraid. It's a scare for parents and for the teenager too. All we need is support, because we are groundless the moment we find ourselves pregnant. But time went by and they got used to my pregnancy, they even got anxious for the baby to be born. He was born eight months, caesarean section, but that was fine. I had postpartum depression because it was so hard to get used to the idea that now I would have to learn to take care of a baby. But everything always gets better. Today he is eight months old and slowly I am learning to be a mother with the help of my parents? Without them I couldn't raise my baby. That's why I tell other teens who are going through what I went through that they have strength.
Victoria Moura got pregnant at 16 and tells on her YouTube channel that in early pregnancy, the most difficult was dealing with the family and the judgments she received, check:
“When I found out I was pregnant, deep down I already knew, I felt it too. When the test was positive, a wave of feelings began to mix inside me and I didn't know if I was happy, if I was sad, if I was crying, if I was screaming. I was without reaction, went home without reaction. My biggest challenge was dealing with the family that didn't understand right away and having to deal with the changes in me, in my body, the hormonal changes, the physical changes. It was so much to think about and people were judging me, it was something that didn't get in my head and consequently made me stressed, which didn't do the baby any good. My mother stayed with me from the beginning and she is with me to this day, both she and my father, my relationship with my parents has improved 100%. My grandparents were a little more complicated to understand so much change in the youngest granddaughter's life that they had. I had friends who walked away, who approached. I had support from those I didn't expect to have. And it made me see that not everyone thinks this is the end of the world, because it's not. It strikes a fear, of not being able to do the best for your child, of not making the right choices; beats the fear of not being able to graduate and do a good higher education; it all goes through the mind of the young mother. We have to mature early, put our child first and never forget the privilege of being a mother. My pregnancy is being delicious now that I have accepted that I am a mother and there is nothing hotter than that.
However complicated and delicate the situation may be, having someone who provides support and support is critical for the pregnant teenager. If your daughter is pregnant, remember how she may be feeling and help her as a mother, daughter and wife cope with each step of the new reality.
This Teen Is Pregnant, And So's Her Mom | Unexpected (April 2024)
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