chapter 19 unexpected pregnancies
TRANSCRIPT
CHAPTER 19UNEXPECTED PREGNANCY
By: Emily Mercier
UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES
More than 3 million unintended pregnancies occur
every year in the United States.
47% of these women use no contraceptives
53% of these women use some form of birth control (this results mostly because of inconsistent or incorrect use of the birth control)
M I S S E D , L I G H T E R , O R S H O R T E R P E R I O DB R E A T T E N D E R N E S SN I P P L E S E N S I T I V I T Y
F R E Q U E N T U R I N A T I O NF E E L I N G U N U S A L LY T I R E D
N A U S E A O R V O M I T I N GF E E L I N G B L O A T E D
C R A M P SI N C R E A S E D O R D E C R E A S E D A P P E T I T E
F E E L I N G M O R E E M O T I O N A L
SIGNS OF PREGNANCIES
FINDING OUT
Any women who has not reached menopause and has sexual
intercourse with a man can become pregnant. Every method
for birth control can fail. To not become pregnant you must
refrain from sex. It is also possible but rare to become pregnant
without intercourse if the mans sperm got near the entrance of
the vagina.
“ A B O U T H A L F O F T H E P R E G N A N C I E S I N W O M E N O V E R F O R T Y Y E A R S O L D A R E
U N I N T E N D E D, A H I G H E R R AT E T H A N A L L O T H E R A G E G R O U P S E X C E P T
T E E N A G E R S / Y O U N G W O M E N; F O R T H E S E P R E G N A N C I E S, W O M E N O V E R F O R T Y H AV E T H E H I G H E S T R AT E O F A B O R T I O N O F A N Y
A G E G R O U P.
I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT SUCH A HIGH AGE GROUP HAS SUCH A
HIGH ABORITON AND ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY RATES. I ASSUMED
THAT MOST WOMEN BY THAT AGE KNOW HOW TO PREVENT
PREGNANCY. I GUESS IT REALLY IS TRUE THAT ANYTHING CAN
HAPPEN AND BIRTH CONTROL IS NOT 100% RELAIBLE.
THE TEST…..
If a women thinks she is pregnant she can take a pregnancy test from any drug
store to see if it tested positive. The test can detect pregnancy starting at the
time of your missed period, about two weeks after ovulation.
A women can also go to family planning clinics, women health centers, or your
own doctor for either a blood or urine test.
Both tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone present first in the
bloodstream and then in urine during pregnancy.
It may not show positive in a urine test right away if it is too early in the
pregnancy because it has not reached the urine yet.
THE TEST COMES BACK NEGATIVE……
SIGH OF RELIEF
If a women suspects she is pregnant but turns out not to be
and does not want to be there are steps that can be taken.
1. Find out better birth control methods
2. If one is being sexually abused: get help.
3. Learn where to get emergency contraception
4. Talk with a women counselor
SIGH OF REGRET
If one is not pregnant but wishes to be there are steps
that you can take to become pregnant to learn more
about preconception care and conceiving a child.
THE TEST COMES BACK POSITIVE……
CONTINUE THE PREGNANCY
If you decided to carry to term, you may choose to raise the
child yourself, or have the child raised through a closed or open
adoption or foster care. If you decide to continue the pregnancy
you must seek medical attention. Stop using alcohol, drugs, diet
pills, herbal medicines, birth control, and over the counter
medicine until you consult with a health care provider.
ABORTION
Abortion is safe and legal in the United States although
your financial situation, age, and where you live can
make it more complicated. The safest, easiest, and most
affordable time is within the first three months of the
pregnancy. It is very difficult to have an abortion after 12
weeks so this decision needs to be made ASAP.
FOSTER CARE
This system is common throughout the United States and the world. The
goal is to provide you time to resolve your situation and issues related to
this unexpected pregnancy and someday be a parent to your baby. A lot of
times a family member or foster parents will start raising your baby and
once you become independent and capable of being a parent your
parental rights can be awarded to you.
ADOPTION
ADOPTION CAN BE A DIFFICULT CHOICE. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS ROUTE,
YOU WILL CREATE A DILERBERATE ADOPTION PLAN WITH AN ADOPTION
COUNSELOR AND BY USING A REPUTABLE AGENCY. A GOOD AGENCY PAYS
FOR YOUR LGEAL AND COUSELING SERVIESS AND DOES NOT OFFER YOU
MONEY, IT IS STANDARD FOR YOU TO CHOOSE THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY TO
ENSURE THAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH WHO IS RAISING YOUR
CHILD. THERE ARE OPEN AND CLOSED ADOPTIONS AND THE CHOISE IS
UP TO YOU AND WHAT YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE WITH.
WHOM TO TURN TO…
It is important to have people behind you for moral and
emotional support in whatever decision you feel is best
for you. Sometimes our family and friends think they
know what is best for us but it is important to make this
decisions with yourself and the fetus’s best interest in
mind.
NOW THAT YOU’VE MADE YOUR CHOICE
Be gentle with yourself. Whatever route you chose you may
grieve for the path you did not take. Grief is normal. It does
not mean you made the wrong decision but you are feeling
a loss. This is when a strong support system is crucial.