Salma,I was just wondering,Do you have any adults around you who is able to support you during the next trimester until the baby is born and after that to practically guide you on how to look after a baby and yourself.
Also financially what are your plans to cope or do you have someone who will support you with your decision to keep the baby?
Let me tell you it is not like looking after a doll or even a pet.
A baby is going to need you (if you plan to look after him/her by yourself) 24/7, especially during the first few years of life.The baby will need to be fed,bathed,nappy/diaper changed and this is not just one time a day, it is constant work all through the day.
There is also the need for you to rest well and look after yourself physically and mentally as it is normal for new mothers not to get enough sleep as the baby will be waking up every few hours of the night too and may not sleep during the day too.
Here's some information you might like to read...
--------------
teenage pregnancy | What A Girl Needs
KEEPING THE BABY:
Keeping the baby will interrupt your life completely. There is no doubt that your world will be turned completely upside down and you can say goodbye to regular teen years! On the positive side, you have a child to care for and this child loves you unconditionally. There is no greater bond than that between mother and child. These days there is less stigma attached to single mothers or teen mothers and in general, people tend to be a little more forgiving than in past generations. With government financial support, a great health system in place and flexible learning options available, keeping the baby is a realistic option for most people in Australia.
ADOPTION:
Aside from abortion or keeping the baby, you also have the choice to adopt. If you feel that you are not in a position to keep the baby, yet you don't believe in abortion, adoption could be an option. Again, you need to research carefully but the positives are that you can give your child the greatest gift….. his/her LIFE! Yes, it will be painful to give your baby over but you are giving your child to parents who will love and care for him/her. You will have the memories of little feet and hands and the knowledge that you have given your child a great start.
DIFFICULTIES FACED BY PREGNANT TEENS:
Telling your parents – This can be one of the biggest challenges for many girls. Once you have faced up to informing your parents, and everyone has had some time to digest the situation, you can move toward planning and working out your options.
School – Schooling will no doubt be interrupted. However, there are always choices including TAFE college, correspondence, part-time, etc. There are even high schools who cater especially for pregnant teenage girls. You need to seek out a school guidance counsellor for further information.
Finances – Raising a child incurs expenses that your will need to consider. The government provides assistance for low income families as well as the general family allowance to help with the associated costs. You should contact Centrelink to find out what assistance you would be eligible for and plan your budget accordingly.
The Father – You will need to work out whether HE is going to be a part of your life and/or the baby's life. Your baby needs your strength and your love now and there's no time for games, chasing after boys who aren't worth it or parents who can't get along. If you've got a good guy who wants to stick around for the right reasons, great! If he's a player and has got you on a string…it's time to let go!
Friends – Your friendship circles are likely to change because your life and the things important to you have changed. True friends will remain and you will make new friends in more similar situations.
ADVICE TO THE PREGNANT TEEN:
It's really important that your give your baby the best chance of being healthy by being healthy yourself. You will need a well-balanced diet and do some light exercise. If you smoke…GIVE-UP! Choose a multi-vitamin especially designed to provide you and your baby the correct nutrients throughout pregnancy. Have regular check-ups with a doctor.
Make sure you set yourself up with a good support network. Parents, siblings, grandparents and trusted friends are all great to help out with support. In addition, find a doctor who you feel comfortable with. Find out where your local clinic is to get the baby weighed regularly and keep the telephone number handy for when you have questions about the baby.
Kids Helpline (1800551800) and Lifeline (131114) can be very helpful when you need advice at any stage.
-------------
Heres some more info which will help you....
CbyC::If you are pregnant::Parenting::Healthy Pregnancy Tips
Healthy Pregnancy Tips
Nutrition
Healthy eating is important during pregnancy, to maintain your own health and to develop a healthy pregnancy. The most important things to remember about nutrition are:
Eat a balanced diet, selecting foods from each of the food groups.
Avoid foods that can harm your pregnancy.
Eat in moderation.
It's always important to discuss your food requirements with your doctor or nutritionist, as everyone is different, and you and your pregnancy may have special dietary needs.
During the first trimester (the first 12 weeks), it's important to ensure that you are eating enough required nutrients, as this is when the organs of the foetus first start to develop. Throughout your pregnancy, but particularly during this time, it is important to increase your intake of:
Protein: for building muscle and tissue. Found in red meat, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Calcium: for strong teeth and bones. Found in dairy products (such as milk and cheese), soya beans and milk, some seafood (such as salmon or sardines), spinach, broccoli, and calcium supplements.
Iron: for building blood cells and preventing anaemia. Foods containing iron include red meat, chicken, fish, green leafy vegetables, wholegrain cereals, and dried fruit and nuts. Also eating foods containing Vitamin C (eg. Oranges) can help your body to absorb iron.
Folic Acid: for brain and spinal cord development of the pregnancy, and to prevent you from getting anaemic. Found in green leafy vegetables, breads, cereals, and fruit. A daily folic acid supplement is often recommended and can be found in the health food section of your supermarket.
Water: to make sure you stay well hydrated.
Avoid foods that may harm your pregnancy:
Alcohol should be removed from your diet, as even moderate amounts may result in low birth weight, smaller head circumference, mental retardation and congenital heart defects.
Caffeine intake should be limited to no more than 3 cups of tea, coffee, or cola per day.
Empty calories (such as sugar, chocolates, soft drinks and lollies) contain energy but no nutrients, so these foods should be eaten sparingly.
Avoid foods that may be contaminated with the listeria bacteria, such as rare meat, prepared food stored for more than 12 hours, takeaway chicken, soft cheeses and unpasteurised dairy products. Listeria is rare, but can have serious effects in pregnancy.
Handle raw meat and cat litter trays with caution, washing your hands and any tools with soap afterwards. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite found in these which can cause birth defects.
Eating in moderation means eating the suggested amounts of foods from each of the food groups. Eating for two does NOT mean eating twice as much as normal.
continued in the next post
-------------