Teenage pregnancy has become one of the most sensitive, complex, and controversial public policy issues of our time. Over one million teenage girls become pregnant each year. Because the majority of these pregnancies are unintended and many pregnant teens are unaware of both the consequences of their actions and the options available to them, they lack the fundamental skills to help themselves. "I'm Pregnant, Now What Do I Do?" will serve as an indispensable resource for the pregnant teen, her partner. and her family. It provides detailed information on pregnancy and each option available to the pregnant teen: raising the child, adoption. or terminating the pregnancy. In addition, the authors stress basic decision-making skills, legal issues, the role of the prospective father, and grieving. Also included are numerous case studies in which teens who have been in similar situations candidly discuss their feelings and how they reached their particular decisions.
The information in this book is presented in a non-judgmental manner and emphasizes empowering the pregnant teen to seek support and utilize the information provided in order to feel comfortable choosing the option that is best for her. The authors emphasize taking responsibility for one's actions and building a positive future.
Robert W. Buckingham (Las Cruces, NM) is professor of health science at New Mexico State University and President of the Russian-American Institute of Health, the Russian Academy of Sciences. Mary P. Derby (Boston. MA) is a maternal child health clinical nurse specialist at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Boston. She also directs discharge planning for obstetric patients in two of Boston's largest teaching hospitals.
228 pp (illustrations, Glossary. Appendix) ISBN 1-57392-117-3 Paper