TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Each year we have about 2000 teenage pregnancies (statistically age group used is between 10 to 19). Some abort their pregnancies while others go on to give birth and become teenage mothers. Both groups suffer negative consequences, either from the trauma of abortions or as a teenage, and often single, mother for which they are ill-equipped.  [MOE,SINGAPORE]

Why have sex? Curious? Pleasure? Ever thought of those consequences? What if you're having sex with an infected partner? What if you got STD? What will happen to your baby?

Consequences of teenage pregnancy :

 These children are far more likely to grow up in poverty, to have more health problems, to suffer from higher rates of abuse and neglect, to fail in school, to become teen mothers, to commit delinquent acts and adult crimes, and to incur failed adult marriages and other relationships.

Teenagers mum will think whether or not to keep the child? How should they tell their parents that they're pregnant? What will happen if they keep the child? What if they're not financially stable to provide the child? Will the father take up this responsibility? & a lot more. It might lead to depression. 

Abortion Video - Watch it 

What if you've decided to abort, it means killing an innocent life. How many of you have done that?

Think twice before making any decisions. 

Pregnancy

What is pregnancy?
Pregnancy is the term used to describe when a woman has a growing fetus inside of her. In most cases, the fetus grows in the uterus.

Human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or just more than 9 months, from the start of the last menstrual period to childbirth.


What are the signs of pregnancy?
The primary sign of pregnancy is missing one or more consecutive menstrual periods.  
However, because many women experience menstrual irregularities that may cause missed periods, women who miss a period should see their health care provider to find out whether they are pregnant or whether there is another health problem.

Others signs and symptoms of pregnancy may include:

Nausea or vomiting, morning sickness
Sore breasts or nipples
Fatigue
Headaches
Food cravings or aversions
Mood swings
Frequent urination


How do you get pregnant?

A woman usually becomes pregnant after having sexual intercourse. This is where a man puts his erect penis inside a woman's vagina. The friction caused by moving his penis in and out of her vagina will cause him to get increasingly excited until eventually he ejaculates and releases a sticky white substance called semen. This semen contains millions of tiny sperm cells, which then swim up the woman's vagina, into her uterus and then into her fallopian tubes where they may join with the tiny egg that she releases from one of her ovaries every month. If this 'joining' (also known as fertilisation) occurs, then she will become pregnant. 

Ways to prevent pregnancy.

Have you ever wonder, what are the ways to prevent pregnancy?

1. Condom.

- It can be used to prevent STDs infection

- It is safe and has no side effects.

- It is able to prevent pregnancy, when used correctly.

2. Spermicides.

- Safe 

- MAY prevent STDs

- No side effects from hormones

3. Contraceptive pills

- Very effective if used correctly. 

- Needs docters prescription.

- MAY have sides effects

• Nausea, weight gain etc.

- Does not prevent STDs

4. Surgical Birth Control Procedure

Vasectomy is a permanent birth control procedure where a small incision is made in the upper part of the man’s scrotum. The two tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm into the semen are cut apart and then tied off. The incision is closed with stitches. Vasectomies are often performed in a surgeon's office; the man is awake, and the doctor will use local anesthesia to numb the area. After the procedure, 

a man will still produce semen, but it will be free of sperm and will not cause pregnancy.

Tubal ligation  is a surgical or non-surgical procedure that permanently sterilizes a woman by preventing an egg from traveling to the uterus; it also blocks sperm from being able to enter the fallopian tube, where fertilization normally occurs. This permanent birth control method is performed in a hospital or outpatient clinic while the woman is under some form of anesthesia. In surgical procedures, one or two small incisions are made in the abdomen. The fallopian tubes are clipped, cut and tied.

STDs

STDs = Sexually Transmitted diseases

STDs are diseases spread by engaging in sexual intercourse with infected persons; 

EXAMPLES : Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) & AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) 

1. Syphilis 

- Painless sores on penis,  vulva or cervix

- Non-itchy rash on palms and soles

- Lymph node enlargement

- Hair loss

- Mouth ulcers

- Liver & brain inflammation

2. Gonorrhoea

- A white or yellow discharge from the penis.

- A burning sensation or pain whilst passing urine

- irritation and/or discharge from the anus. 

- A change in vaginal discharge; it may appear in abundance, change to a yellow or greenish colour, and develop a strong smell

3. HIV & AIDS 

- Flu-like illness with swollen lymph nodes, fever, malaise and rash.

- Advanced stage includes infection to lungs, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, nervous systems etc.