If you’re a teenager, you may be wondering if it’s time to start having sex. But have you ever wondered if you’re ready for a pregnancy? Don’t get caught off guard on that subject because a pregnancy can change your life. Avoiding Teen Pregnancy.
Let’s get this straight. When you have sex you always run the risk of pregnancy. Do you really want to or do you prefer to avoid it right now? What a decision! Having a child implies a change of life and a great responsibility, and that can limit your independence and your freedom.
The arrival of a baby brings about significant changes in the routine and life of a family. The mother-to-be, for example, undergoes a series of physiological and psychological changes.
These changes, however, when they come at unexpected times, can be a problem.
Hence the importance of talking about the prevention of pregnancy in adolescence, whose gestation is considered risky.
Experts explain that the young woman’s body is not yet fully formed for motherhood, which makes her vulnerable to the development of anemia, high blood pressure and other diseases to her and to the baby itself.
Not to mention the risk of complications in childbirth. Even, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the second cause of mortality in the world, among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old.
These circumstances are just a few of the many that reinforce the need for action to prevent teenage pregnancy. Awareness raising and dialogue are essential tools for this.
In this way, we understand that all relationships can bring positive impacts or not, if they are established at the right time and with the person who is truly committed to our true happiness.
So, what to do as a Parent?
This means that we have to guide young people and adolescents about responsible sexual behavior, remembering above all that these are spiritual connections.
Even if they are temporary relationships, they can bring serious material consequences (such as those already mentioned), and above all to the spirit, which is eternal.
Of course this applies to all stages of life. But, especially in childhood and youth. The good relationship of parents with their children is a key factor in analyzing this issue with maturity.
Having a relationship of trust can help the young person who finds himself in this situation, as in so many other challenges and natural afflictions of that age.
However, this bond is not created overnight and needs to be cultivated in the home.
Tips on How to Do it
The recommendation of Brazilian psychologist Suzy Camacho is that this should happen in moments of proximity between parents and children. “Mainly at the table, during meals, we have to talk about how the day was, what was done, what were the activities of the day. At night, before going to bed as well.
On these occasions, according to the specialist, it is important to show interest in the children’s feelings. “Ask how the rest of the day was, how the child feels: if he is happy; if he is sad. (…) Therefore, it is important to create the habit of conversing with the child who is in training.
In addition to engagement in the home, society in general also has to participate. For example, by bringing the topic into the classroom, and also for cultural products and content circulating in the media (in this case, specifically to avoid promoting early sexualization of children, young people and adolescents).
What to do as a Teenager?
If you have definitely made the decision to start your sexual life, but don’t want a teen pregnancy, your best option is to protect yourself. So sex is always an enjoyable experience and you don’t risk your health or your future. There are several methods of birth control, but the best options for teen birth control would be the following:
- Barrier methods: male and female condoms; spermicides, diaphragm, sponge, and cervical cap. They can be used in combination with other methods.
- Natural methods: There are several and the best known are the calendar method, the basal temperature method and coitus interruptus (interrupting sexual intercourse before ejaculation), among others. It is important to note that these methods do not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and that they tend to fail most often.
- Oral contraceptives (pills) or patches
- Injectable contraceptives and implants
- Emergency contraceptives (which, as their name suggests, are not recommended for prevention, are used in emergencies when prevention methods fail)
- Intrauterine devices are generally not recommended for women before they have had a pregnancy.
- Vasectomy in men, in a sterilization method, is not recommended as temporary.
- Tubal ligation in women, is a method of sterilization, not recommended as temporary.
How to Choose the Best Method for you?
In order to choose the best method for you, it is very important that you consult with your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor, there are several sites on the resource list or at clinics in your community where you can get free counseling or according to your ability to pay. And it’s important that you consider the following:
- You never know when it might happen… so choose a method that is easy to use and that you can have on hand at all times in case of an unexpected encounter.
- If you don’t have a stable partner, you need a method that also helps prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV.
- If you have a stable partner, you can choose between the two the method you are going to use, but consider the risks well because the courtships of adolescence are not always for life.
- Don’t make very radical decisions with birth control methods that involve surgery or definitive solutions (such as tubal ligation or vasectomy). You don’t know when you may regret it and it will be too late.
Any birth control method that is not used correctly is more likely to fail.
Avoiding a premature pregnancy is up to you. If you have doubts, ask, but don’t act without knowing. Teen pregnancy is something you should take seriously.
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