Several months ago, I wrote a Top of the Morning introducing a teen pregnancy support group offered by my hospital.
Little did I know that this article would wind up in the hands of a casting associate with MTV Networks in New York! Last Thursday began as a usual day of work. I step away from my desk, and when I returned I had a message on my machine which began, “Hi, this is Alicia Arnold. I am calling from MTV networking in New York City. We are currently casting for our upcoming season of “16 and Pregnant.”
She went on in her message to tell me she had read my article back in January regarding our teen pregnancy support group, and she wanted to know if we could work together to help get the word out or if I had any ideas or suggestions for the show.
You can imagine my excitement at being contacted by MTV. Here I am, 40 years old, and on the phone calling everyone I know. I’m telling all my friends, coworkers and family that MTV called me and wants to work with me and wants my ideas and suggestions for their show. I go home and I tell my children “Guess who called me?” My son says, “Who?” as he is playing his PSP. I said, “MTV;” he responds, “OK, yeah, right” and never looks up. I’ll prove it, I tell him because I saved the message as my ring tone. They finally believed me!
Over the next few days, as the initial shock wore off and the excitement faded; reality set in as I contemplated what to do about this offer. I record the series, and I watch part of an episode.
At this point, my parenting, nursing, and education skills kick back in. The reality is: teen pregnancy is a reality. It’s not glamorous and it’s not an easy life. Statistics show that Mississippi does have the nation’s highest teen pregnancy rate.
As parents, educators and health care providers, we have a responsibility to address abstinence and prevention of teen pregnancy. But we also have to face the fact that regardless of the education and support offered our teens, teenagers having babies happens. Teen pregnancy is a reality and it’s not a show.
Teens and parents need to know that there is support here for them and that they will make it through this life changing event.
They also must know to never give up on their hopes and dreams. They are still there, and they are still reachable. They have just taken the harder road to reach those dreams.
I encourage all pregnant teenagers ages 19 and under to attend our teen pregnancy support group from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Magnolia room at Natchez Regional Medical Center. To register for the class or for more information, please call me at 601-443-2360.
As exciting as MTV sounds, I graciously declined the offer. My feet are planted firmly on the ground, and my focus is on offering help and support locally, not helping be a part of glamorizing teen pregnancy nationally.
By, Theresa Cole
Theresa Cole, RN, is the nurse educator of The Women’s Center at Natchez Regional Medical Center
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Teen Birth Rates
Teenage birth rates in the United States rose in 2007 for the second year in a row. These increases follow a continuous decline between 1991 and 2005. Teenage birth rates in the United States are high, exceeding those in most developed countries.
High teen birth rates are an important concern because teen mothers and their babies face increased risks to their health, and their opportunities to build a future are diminished.
Here are some important facts about teen pregnancy:
More than 10 percent of all U.S. births in 2006 were to mothers under age 20. Most teenage births (about 67 percent) are to girls ages 18 and 19. The pregnancy rate for teenagers fell 40 percent between 1990 and 2005 (from 116.8 to 70.6 per 1,000). However, in 2005, about 725,000 teens ages 15 to 19 became pregnant, and about 415,000 give birth.
About 3 in 10 teenage girls become pregnant at least once before age 20. The teenage birth rate increased in 2006 and 2007. Between 2005 and 2007, the rate rose 5 percent (from 41 to 42.5 per 1,000 women). This increase follows a 14-year decline between 1991 and 2005, when the rate fell by one-third (from 62 to 41 per 1,000 women). In 2007, about 4 in 100 teenage girls had a baby. About 1 in 4 teen mothers under age 18 have a second baby within 2 years after the birth of their first baby.
Teen mothers are more likely than mothers over age 20 to give birth prematurely (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy). Between 2003 and 2005, preterm birth rates averaged 14.5 percent for women under age 20 compared to 11.9 percent for women ages 20 to 29. Babies born prematurely face an increased risk of newborn health problems, long-term disabilities and even death.
Taken from The March of Dimes
High teen birth rates are an important concern because teen mothers and their babies face increased risks to their health, and their opportunities to build a future are diminished.
Here are some important facts about teen pregnancy:
More than 10 percent of all U.S. births in 2006 were to mothers under age 20. Most teenage births (about 67 percent) are to girls ages 18 and 19. The pregnancy rate for teenagers fell 40 percent between 1990 and 2005 (from 116.8 to 70.6 per 1,000). However, in 2005, about 725,000 teens ages 15 to 19 became pregnant, and about 415,000 give birth.
About 3 in 10 teenage girls become pregnant at least once before age 20. The teenage birth rate increased in 2006 and 2007. Between 2005 and 2007, the rate rose 5 percent (from 41 to 42.5 per 1,000 women). This increase follows a 14-year decline between 1991 and 2005, when the rate fell by one-third (from 62 to 41 per 1,000 women). In 2007, about 4 in 100 teenage girls had a baby. About 1 in 4 teen mothers under age 18 have a second baby within 2 years after the birth of their first baby.
Teen mothers are more likely than mothers over age 20 to give birth prematurely (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy). Between 2003 and 2005, preterm birth rates averaged 14.5 percent for women under age 20 compared to 11.9 percent for women ages 20 to 29. Babies born prematurely face an increased risk of newborn health problems, long-term disabilities and even death.
Taken from The March of Dimes
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