Millions of teenagers in the United States are faced with an unwanted pregnancy every year. The options that they have for this situation vary depending on their age, location and other factors. Teens can choose to abort their baby, adopt their child or parent it themselves and there are many advantages and disadvantages to each option. In this article, we will look at abortion rates among teens in the U.S., adoption options as well as how to reduce abortion rates among teens by providing them with more information about all three options available so they can make a decision based on what is best for them personally.
What is Considered an Unwanted Pregnancy for a Teenager?
An unwanted pregnancy refers to when a female gets pregnant and does not want to have the baby. A teen can be any age between 13-19 years old while an unwanted pregnancy may also refer to being in their 20s, 30s or 40s depending on the person’s definition of “teen”. There are many reasons why a teenager’s pregnancy could be considered troublesome. In most cases, a teenager will not be prepared emotionally or financially to take on parenthood.
- Adoption: an adoption option for teens is when the teen does not want to have their baby and either has it adopted by someone else, gives up the child in order to focus on her education and career opportunities. Adopting may also refer to giving birth but then choosing not keep your baby; instead finding someone who wants children more than you do.
- Abortion: abortion can help reduce unwanted pregnancy among teenagers by providing them with another solution if they are struggling between whether or not they want to parent their baby (especially because abortions are close to 100% effective). An abortion terminates the life of the fetus.
- Parenting: parenting is the choice teens make when they want their baby and feel emotionally, mentally or financially prepared for it. Parenting can be challenging even if you are 100% ready because teenagers do not get pregnant on purpose so they may need help from families and friends in order to parent successfully.
How Teenagers Can Make a Decision About an Unwanted Pregnancy
Teenagers should seek counseling when deciding on their options for an unwanted pregnancy. It is important to speak with a professional before making the final decision because they are unbiased and can provide accurate information about abortion, adoption and parenting.
It is important not to make an immediate response and instead, consult doctors, counselors and other professionals before making a final decision.
Teenagers can consult their health care provider for information about abortion procedures, adoption agencies, and parenting options that may be available to them based on their state or location. A professional from family planning can also help teens with the best option for them because they are trained in providing unbiased pregnancy counseling.
A teenager should speak with people who have been in similar situations when deciding what path to take after becoming pregnant as there will always be someone willing to give advice during this difficult time. Learning from peers who have been in a similar situation can be helpful for teens. Reading about how other teenagers have dealt with the same situation can help teenagers to make the best decision for their needs.
United States Teenage Abortion Rates
The teen abortion rates in the United States are higher than they have been in twenty years, but it is important to remember that teens should not feel pressured into having an abortion if this is not what they want. Teenagers who do decide to go through with an abortion should know about all of the different types and procedures so that they can choose which one will be right for them while still considering what type of effects it may have on their life afterward.
The abortion process goes through three phases. The first of which is a physical examination by a physician who will also discuss what other options may exist outside of abortion such as adoption if desired. Afterward hormone therapy begins in order to suppress ovulation and menstruation altogether so no unwanted pregnancy can occur; this phase lasts up until birth when the uterus is removed from the patient’s body with suction aspiration (basically vacuumed out).
This procedure carries side effects including nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, abdominal cramping, blood clots in the legs & lungs, uterine perforations during insertion, ectopic pregnancy, loss of fertility, and depression. In addition to these side effects, the patient must also take it easy for a certain amount of time after abortion in order to not strain their recovering uterus or cause further damage during that phase of recovery.
What are the Consequences of Having an Abortion?
Often teenagers face depression and feelings of guilt as a result of abortion. These metal issues don’t just disappear and often resurface.
There are also physical consequences of abortion, like increased risk of ectopic pregnancy or infertility.
In addition to these side effects, there is a mental component that has not been discussed extensively. Teenagers may feel less guilty if they know the risks involved with having an abortion and how it can affect their future.
Teenagers can also choose adoption as an option for dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. This process is different depending on whether or not the pregnant teen already has children – if so, she will need to consider whether she wants another child in her care before moving forward with adoption; otherwise, there are many great options available! Adoption offers teenage mothers time to decide if this is really the choice that’s best for them without having to worry about raising a baby too soon.
The last option teenagers have when faced with an unwanted pregnancy is parenting their child. For many, this can be a daunting task but with support and guidance, it can be done. Teenage mothers are entitled to certain programs and benefits that make parenting easier, like WIC or Medicaid for example.
With the increasing number of programs created to help single mothers, it’s no wonder that teen birth rates are on the rise.
Why it’s important to have support from friends and family when making this decision
With any decision a teenager makes concerning an unwanted pregnancy, it is important that they have the support of their friends and family. Having someone who will be there for them during this difficult time can make all the difference in making a decision to abort or not, adoption or parenting.
Parents should also give teenagers alternatives to abortion so that they are able to weigh out what is best for themselves. Parents play an important role when it comes to supporting their child’s choice about unwanted pregnancy because teens may be hesitant as well as scared about some of the ramifications involved with options like abortion and adoption which is why parents need to come up with creative ways on how these things could work so that teen feel more at ease while going through this process.
