Teen Pregnancy
T
BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
he single biggest risk factor for a teen getting pregnant or causing a pregnancy is already being a parent. While the teen birth rate (ages 15-19) has declined in all 50 states during the last decade, Northeast Louisiana still has a teen birth rate that is more than twice the national average, and over half of these teen mothers are younger than 17. In Ouachita Parish, almost a quarter of all teen births are repeat births—this is higher than both the state and national averages. Linda Hunt is Registered Nurse that works for Aetna Better Health of Louisiana as a specialized Obstetric Clinical Case Manager. Linda enjoys working with Aetna’s pregnant members to ensure that the members are receiving the best possible care in order to achieve an end result of a healthy mother and child. Linda has been a RN for 40 years, with over a decade of that being in the Maternal Health field. Linda also worked a Level IV Labor and Delivery for seven years. Linda received her nursing degree from Northwestern State University and is a
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certified Case Manager and Certified Managed Care Nurse. Q: What is the most important thing for teens and their parents to know about teen pregnancy? A: The most important thing that prevents or decreases teen pregnancy is education. Education should include the health and emotional risks of underage sex, how to make choices that will create healthier lives both now and in the future and available resources for birth control. The risks of underage sex go beyond pregnancy; half of all new cases of sexually transmitted diseases occur in teens. Q: Why is important for teens to connect to medical services as soon as possible during a pregnancy? A: Prenatal care is critical, especially in the first months of pregnancy. Prenatal care screens for medical problems in both mother and baby, monitors the baby’s growth, and deals quickly with any complications that arise. Teens who become pregnant have a higher risk for medical problems, such as toxemia, hypertension, severe anemia, premature delivery and placenta previa. Babies born to teen mothers are at higher risk of medical problems, such as low birth weight or early delivery.
Q: What are some common misconceptions about teen parents and teen pregnancy? A: Many teens believe that they cannot continue their education or that they have ruined their livers forever. Many pregnant teens worry that they will not be a good parent. Although almost half of all teenage pregnancies end with teens dropping out of high school to parent their child, there are lots of options out there. Title IX requires the school to work with teens to continue their education while they are pregnant and parenting. Ask to talk to the designated Title IX coordinator for your school or district. In addition, quality child care programs like Early Head Start (318-450-3398) help many teen parents stay in school while providing the support they need to be a good parent. Parents can also telephone their local Child Care Resource and Referral (318-348-1282) to find quality child care in their community. Q: What should I do if my teen tells me she is pregnant or has gotten someone pregnant? A: Take a breath and listen. Focus on how she, or he, is feeling right now, and let them know you are there for them. The hardest part will come after the pregnancy, so planning is key. Find out is their partner knows about the pregnancy and involve as large a support
In Ouachita Parish, almost a quarter of all teen births are repeat births.