Adjusting to Teenage Pregnancy

September 9, 1996

Greensboro, NC: Pregnancy is a profound experience in any woman's life. While her body and mood changes, so too do her needs and priorities. This transition is challenging to adults, but to a teenager, it can be overwhelming.

To address this issue, members of the Guilford County Cooperative Extension staff are working with pregnant teenagers in two programs, "Takin' Care of You" and "Takin' Care of You and Your Baby." The focus of these programs is preparing expectant teenage mothers for motherhood, and their goal is a healthier, happier home life for the newly created family.

"Many of these women have become detached from their families as a result of their pregnancy," said Shelia Dalcoe, a family and consumer education agent with Guilford County's Cooperative Extension Program. "This leaves them with very few people with whom they can discuss their cares and concerns. The program gives them a forum of their peers who are in similar situations and with whom they can discuss the problems they face."

Dalcoe works with Barbara Strong, a family education assistant with Guilford County's Cooperative Extension Program, in the management and coordination of both programs. Strong assists pregnant teenagers with nutritional issues, in a number of programs and at a number of levels, from one-on-one home visits to the larger group sessions of "Takin' Care of You."

"Takin' Care of You" is a six-week, six-session program that helps expectant mothers adapt to the changes that have suddenly become a part of their lives, and to prepare for those changes that lie ahead. Weekly sessions held at the High Point YWCA are designed to help participants accept and understand the challenges that pregnancy poses.

"The initial sessions of the program address the physical changes that occur during pregnancy," said Strong. "During these sessions, program leaders place special emphasis on the importance of prenatal care, and recommend specific exercises that are designed to reduce stress and maintain good posture."

From physical changes, the topic moves to clothing. The information presented in these sessions is intended to help participants adapt their present wardrobes to their growing bodies. "We demonstrate how to make alterations to some of the clothes they already own, and we assist them in selecting maternity wear," said Dalcoe. A consumer's guide through a maternity clothing store is also part of the "Takin' Care of You" agenda.

"For many teenagers, clothing is an important part of their self-image," said Dalcoe. "And their self-image is essential to their self-esteem. They must feel good about themselves before they can help their children feel good about themselves."

Because self-esteem is so important, and often a problem for pregnant teenagers, Strong conducts sessions focused on that area. One of these sessions is devoted to skin care and cosmetology. In this session, area cosmetologists teach participants how to cope with the skin changes that are often a part of pregnancy.

"Because so much is happening to their bodies, they are often overwhelmed. Sessions like this help them see that, with proper adjustments, the challenges of pregnancy can be somewhat eased," said Dalcoe.

Recently, to reward their dedication to the program and motherhood, participants in "Takin' Care of You" were treated to a cosmetic makeover compliments of Dudley Products. While they were on Dudley's Kernersville campus, they were presented with certificates of completion for the course and a packet of child care products.

After completing "Takin' Care of You," participants are invited to take part in "Takin' Care of You and Your Baby." In this five-week program, the focus shifts to infant care.

One of the first topics is selecting infant clothing.

"Often these women are unaware of what clothes their baby will need, and where they can go to get them," said Dalcoe. The teenagers learn how to buy clothing that is economical and practical. They are also cautioned to avoid such pitfalls as buying second-hand shoes, which can misshape a child's foot.

"Expectant teenage mothers are often misinformed about nutrition," said Strong. For this reason, "Takin' Care of You and Your Baby" teaches the importance of a well-balanced diet and a diverse selection of food. Nutrition specialists provide information on food labeling, and adjusting a child's diet to their different stages of growth.

"There are many 'old wives' tales' about what you should feed your baby, " said Strong. "If a mother relies on these as her sole source of information, her baby may suffer from malnutrition or other health problems. We try to provide easy-to-understand and easy-to-implement suggestions, and help mothers understand the importance of good nutrition. Sometimes, telling someone what not to feed their child is as important as telling them what they should feed their child."

Dalcoe and Strong have seen a number of positive results with the program's participants. Many have displayed improved self-esteem and have become eager to learn as much as possible.

A 17-year-old participant of both programs emphasized the importance of the support she received. "Being a part of these programs helped me develop my mind so I could be stable enough to take care of my baby. I learned that I had to persevere, and that being a responsible parent is hard. It was also great to be able to talk about my problems and challenges with others in the program."