How Can I Support My Teen Through Her Pregnancy?

Most parents don’t even want to think about the crisis of their teen daughter becoming pregnant, but what if it happens? How do you help your daughter? Where do you start, and how do you deal with your shock and grief? 

Dr. Kevin Hooker is a compassionate and expert provider of obstetric care for women of all ages, and he has unique sensitivity when it comes to helping families whose teenage daughters are pregnant. No matter what age you are as an expectant mother, you need the very best prenatal care so both mother and baby can thrive. 

Tips to help your family through your teen daughter’s pregnancy

There’s no doubt that a teen pregnancy rocks any family’s world. It’s not expected, it’s not desired, but it’s happening. Becoming pregnant as a teen also puts you in a high-risk category. 

After feeling the shock and disappointment as a parent upon hearing the news, take these things into consideration:

1. Acknowledge how hard it was to tell you

Your daughter was likely terrified to tell you the news of the pregnancy. Work with her to start planning early about what life will look like after the birth of the baby, how drastically her life will change, and how the baby will now be the focus. Then, you can discuss what your support role will be after the birth.

Recognize the sadness around your daughter losing her carefree youth. 

2. Discuss options

You can talk to your daughter about what it will mean to keep and raise the baby, as well as the option of adoption.

3. Help your daughter get prenatal care as soon as possible. 

At Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care, we provide customized prenatal care for your daughter and take into account the special health concerns of teenage mothers-to-be.

Without excellent prenatal care, she’s at higher risk for high blood pressure, anemia, and sadly, for having a stillbirth. Further, the baby is at risk for being born prematurely and at a low birth weight. Simply, the more promptly you access prenatal care for your teen, the higher the chances are that she will enjoy a healthy pregnancy. 

4. Talk about what the birth might look like

Speak with your daughter about the amount of support she wants from you during her pregnancy and after the birth. What will her support network look like during her pregnancy, and will she want you present during the birth? What about support that is expected from you afterwards? 

Good communication is key. 

5. Make sure your daughter has ample time with her obstetrician

During her prenatal visits, your daughter can learn from her obstetrician how she might feel during her pregnancy (morning sickness, fatigue, etc.) and the changes her body will go through.

Dr. Hooker talks to her about what to expect in terms of body changes and emotional upheaval during pregnancy and after the birth, as well as the best ways to care for herself. 

6. Focusing on a healthy lifestyle

During pregnancy, we emphasize with your daughter how critical excellent self-care is during pregnancy. This includes eating well, engaging in safe exercise, getting enough high-quality rest, and avoiding alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products. 

7. Register for childbirth classes

Your daughter is likely feeling frightened and nervous about the days ahead. Make sure she registers for a childbirth class to calm her fears and know what to expect during labor and birth. 

8. Tend to practical things

This is an emotionally charged situation, but talk to your daughter about health insurance and what the logistics of life will look like after the birth: work, daycare, and more.

9. Have a conversation about who will be responsible for what

It’s a good idea to talk to your daughter well in advance of the birth about who will be caring for the baby day in and day out, in the middle of the night, and when the baby is sick, as well as what role the father of the baby will have after the baby is born.

10. Encourage your daughter to finish her education

Study after study finds that teen moms often don’t complete school. This has great economic bearing on her entire adult earning power, so encourage her to set goals.

We know that supporting your teen daughter through an unplanned pregnancy is one of the most challenging things you’ll ever do. Get support for yourself and your daughter. Remember, you’re all in this together, and we’re with you every step of the way, too!

Call the Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care office at 928-683-1668 or request one by reaching out to us through our website.