Stories on Teenage Pregnancy

Stories on Teen Pregnancy Reveal Difficult Choices

The United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the world. In fact, research shows that a sexually active teenage girl who does not use regular contraception has a 90 percent chance of becoming pregnant within one year. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that you can find a number of teen pregnancy stories online. Some of these stories seem like the tales you’d expect to hear on an after school special, but others provide a heartbreaking glimpse into what it’s like to be faced with a very tough decision.

Abortion Stories

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, almost 50 percent of all teen girls choose abortion. A medical abortion can be performed within the first seven weeks of pregnancy, while a surgical abortion remains an option until 20 weeks. Abortion laws do vary by state, however, so some teens may need parental consent for the procedure.

For stories on teen pregnancy from girls who choose to have an abortion, visit the following websites:

• Nicky’s Story
• Suzanne’s Story
• Maria’s Story
• Jamie’s Story
• I Had an Abortion
• The Guilt Still Drowns Me
• Kim’s Abortion Story
• Mandie’s Story

Adoption Stories

For teens who are morally opposed to abortion yet not ready for the responsibility of raising a child, adoption may be the best option for an unplanned pregnancy. Adoption allows the pregnant teen to make sure her baby has a safe and loving home without giving up her own future goals. Both open and closed adoptions are available, so teen moms can choose whether or not they want their child to be able to contact them in the future.

Teen moms who decided to place their babies up for adoption share their stories on the following websites:

• Amber’s Story
• A Birth Mother Adoption Story
• Autumn’s Adoption Story
• Michelle’s Adoption Story
• Adoption from a Birth Mother’s Perspective
• Kay’s Birthmother Story
• Amanda’s Adoption Story

Teen Parenting Stories

Raising a child when you’re still struggling through adolescence is no picnic, but many teens do decide to tackle the challenges of parenthood. While their friends are dating and partying, teen moms are balancing school, work, and childcare. Some are fortunate enough to have the support of their families, but nearly 80 percent must rely on government assistance to help make ends meet.

For stories on teen pregnancy from teens who choose to raise their babies, visit the following websites:

• An Anonymous Teen Mom Tells Her Story
• Me and My Baby Girl
• Surprise Birth Brings Pain and Trouble
• Countdown to Motherhood
• Pregnancy Sours Teen Romance
• Teen Moms Face Difficult Responsibilities
• Looking to the Future
• Teen Moms Not All Dropouts

Additional Teen Pregnancy Resources

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, having access to accurate information is critical. To make an informed decision, you need to be aware of all your options. For additional information about teen pregnancy, pick up one of the following books:

• The Unplanned Pregnancy Book for Teens and College Students by Dorrie Williams-Wheeler
• You Look Too Young to be a Mom: Teen Mothers on Love, Learning, and Success by Deborah Davis
• Dear Diary, I'm Pregnant: Teenagers Talk About Their Pregnancy by Anrenee Englander
• I'm Pregnant... Now What? by Ruth Graham