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Pregnancy at a Young Age
Teenage Pregnancy Facts
The rate of teenage pregnancies in Australia has
declined significantly over a number of years and has been stable over recent
years. Only five per cent of children are now born to women aged 19 years and
under. Estimates vary, but it is believed that around one in four sexually
active teenage young women become pregnant by mistake, and approximately half of
these unwanted pregnancies are terminated.
Options
An unplanned pregnancy is a traumatic event, and a
teenage woman needs empathetic support. Pressure from parents, medical staff,
friends and partners can exacerbate her stress. Her options include: Abortion
: Adoption : Foster care : Parenting
Complications in Pregnancy
Teenage women generally encounter more problems during pregnancy
and childbirth than older women. Reasons for the higher complication rate
include: Physical immaturity :
Lack of health care knowledge : Cigarette smoking : Alcohol
consumption and the use of other social drugs: Poor diet: Inadequate antenatal
care: High levels of emotional distress.
Pregnancy - When is your baby due?
Due Date
Calculator
Use the Due Date Calculator to find out the due date of your baby the Due Date
Calendar will tell you the approximate due date of the baby's birth.
Pregnancy - Morning Sickness
Coping with Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is one of the most common and most well known symptoms of early
pregnancy. Between 7 and 8 out of every 10 pregnant women will feel sick
(nausea) during their pregnancy and 5 or 6 out of 10 will actually experience
some vomiting. Certain changes to the way food is prepared and eaten may help.
These suggestions are worth trying.
Pregnancy - Counselling
Counselling
Pregnancy - Abortion
Abortion
Abortion, or termination of
pregnancy, is used to describe the early ending of a pregnancy, prior to full
term, by medical intervention. However, this information package does not focus
on spontaneous abortion or miscarriage, or abortion resulting from diagnosis of
a foetal abnormality (information on these topics is available from the WHV
library and/or health information line).
Pregnancy - The morning after pill
The Morning
after pill
The
morning after pill is generally perceived as an emergency treatment for recent
unprotected intercourse or failed contraception. Consisting of high dosages of
the regular contraceptive pill.
Smoking while Pregnant
Smoking during pregnancy
We know more
and more these days about the effects of cigarette smoking on pregnancy. For
instance did you know that cigarette smoke contains 2000 components. Some of the
most harmful for pregnant women and their babies is thought to be nicotine,
carbon monoxide and cyanide.
Pregnancy at school
Pregnant at school
The Association of
Women Educators' 2000 publication celebrates the
dedicated, compassionate, imaginative and resourceful staff of schools across
Australia who have found innovative ways to support pregnant and parenting
students complete school and most of all, the courageous young women who shared
their stories with us and who are doing their best to make a good lives for
themselves and their children.
Pregnancy A girls point of view
Girls on Pregnancy
Discovering
you're pregnant should be a joyous and momentous occasion, however, four out of
every ten young women aren't quite so pleased. An unplanned pregnancy is one of
life's most difficult experiences. Thoughts and feelings are confusing and it's
hard to know what to do and where to turn for help and support.