I couldn't believe my ears!!!!

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I work in a pediatric office with a female pediatrician that sees a large number of adolescent females. Well, today, we had a 17 year old come in with a problem that had resolved, however, she said she wanted to talk to the MD to ask some questions. I asked her if she was comfortable sharing so I could document in her chart.

She said, "I'm trying to get pregnant and I want to make sure there is nothing wrong with me down there." :eek: OMG!!!!!

I very delicately asked her why she wanted to have a baby at 17. She just kind of hemmed and hawed and said she didn't know!

My pediatrician, the one I work for, I mean, and I have discussed getting those Baby Simulators, but I think it goes without saying, insurance won't cover it! They are very expensive also, and I truly doubt the clinic will spend the money either.

Scary, huh?!?

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I work in a pediatric office with a female pediatrician that sees a large number of adolescent females. Well, today, we had a 17 year old come in with a problem that had resolved, however, she said she wanted to talk to the MD to ask some questions. I asked her if she was comfortable sharing so I could document in her chart.

She said, "I'm trying to get pregnant and I want to make sure there is nothing wrong with me down there." :eek: OMG!!!!!

I very delicately asked her why she wanted to have a baby at 17. She just kind of hemmed and hawed and said she didn't know!

My pediatrician, the one I work for, I mean, and I have discussed getting those Baby Simulators, but I think it goes without saying, insurance won't cover it! They are very expensive also, and I truly doubt the clinic will spend the money either.

Scary, huh?!?

Sadly, I'm not surprised. I work in the NICU so I see a LOT of this. Teenage girls that want to have a baby, either because they think it will make their boyfriends stay with them (think again, honey...) or because they want someone to love them (babies take love a lot better than they give it).

The baby simulators work for some girls, but others dont get it even after the experience. Now give the girl a 6-8 month old to take care of for 48 hours and if the girl and the baby both live through it, she would probably reconsider.

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You know, it makes me realize how incredibly naive I was when I worked in PP for five years!! Here I was thinking all that time, that most of the girls were just screwing around and got pregnant without thinking! Never did it cross my mind they made a conscious effort of it!

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I work in a pediatric office with a female pediatrician that sees a large number of adolescent females. Well, today, we had a 17 year old come in with a problem that had resolved, however, she said she wanted to talk to the MD to ask some questions. I asked her if she was comfortable sharing so I could document in her chart.

She said, "I'm trying to get pregnant and I want to make sure there is nothing wrong with me down there." :eek: OMG!!!!!

I very delicately asked her why she wanted to have a baby at 17. She just kind of hemmed and hawed and said she didn't know!

My pediatrician, the one I work for, I mean, and I have discussed getting those Baby Simulators, but I think it goes without saying, insurance won't cover it! They are very expensive also, and I truly doubt the clinic will spend the money either.

Scary, huh?!?

Is there any way, without breaking pt confidentiality, to warn the girl's parents that she is trying to get pregnant?

Or, are they the type of parents who would not be bothered by this?

Shall we just fill out this girl's welfare, foodstamp and and ADC forms right now? :angryfire

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It shocks me but doesn't suprise me that these teenagers are "trying" to get pregnant. I hate to think that these teenagers think that they are ready to be parents. And speaking of parents where are theirs?

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Is there any way, without breaking pt confidentiality, to warn the girl's parents that she is trying to get pregnant?

Or, are they the type of parents who would not be bothered by this?

Shall we just fill out this girl's welfare, foodstamp and and ADC forms right now? :angryfire

How could you tell the girls parents without breaking confidentiality? While I do agree that this girl is being extremely naive and stupid, I know MANY women who had children as a teenager and they are wonderful parents who are not on welfare. Teen pregnancy is definately something that should be avoided, and its appalling that some girls are actually trying to get pregnant, but to say that all teen mothers become drains on the system isn't right. Most do, but not all...specially if they have family supporting them both emotionally and financially.

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How could you tell the girls parents without breaking pregnancy is definately something that should be avoided, and its appalling that some girls are actually trying to get pregnant, but to say that all teen mothers become drains on the system isn't right. Most do, but not all...specially if they have family supporting them both emotionally and financially.

Sorry to disagree with you, but a teen who has to depend on their family, regardless of the support system, is a drain on the system. The family support system. Mom/Dad (Teens parents, if still together) will have to adjust their lifes, financially, and emotionally to help their teenager raise a child. With an adjustment to the family dynamics comes stress. This undue stress is then circumvented in some manner to family members and extended family members, thus becoming a drain on the system. So as you can see, the BIG Picture is not always clear.

ZAHMAN

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Sorry to disagree with you, but a teen who has to depend on their family, regardless of the support system, is a drain on the system. The family support system. Mom/Dad (Teens parents, if still together) will have to adjust their lifes, financially, and emotionally to help their teenager raise a child. With an adjustment to the family dynamics comes stress. This undue stress is then circumvented in some manner to family members and extended family members, thus becoming a drain on the system. So as you can see, the BIG Picture is not always clear.

ZAHMAN

I agree, no matter how wonderful some teen mothers are, most are not wonderful. No matter how much family support a teen mother has, teen mothers as a whole, are bad for society.

As for the teen mothers who have done well, avoided using welfare or foodstamps, good for them. But they are the exception, not the rule.

I have always wished that there were some type of "magic pill" given to all boys and girls at puberty, which would prevent all teen pregnancies from occuring. This pill would be safe and effective. The effects of this pill could easily be reversed, but only purposefully, willfully, and when a person is no longer a minor.

If anyone ever invents such a pill, I think that person should get the Nobel Prize.

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Why does everyone automatically assume this girl will be on welfare?

I had a child at 19, and my other at 20. I'm very happily married, my husband is set in his career, I'm in nursing school. We live a very nice, comfortable life and I would not have it any other way. I'm proud to be a young mom and encourage all the others out there to do the best they can.

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Why does everyone automatically assume this girl will be on welfare?

Whether this girl will be on welfare or not, is beside the point. If you read the op, you can see this girl is in no way, shape or form prepared to be a mother, or even has any idea why she wants to.

Sounds like a really bad start for any baby.

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Why does everyone automatically assume this girl will be on welfare?

I had a child at 19, and my other at 20. I'm very happily married, my husband is set in his career, I'm in nursing school. We live a very nice, comfortable life and I would not have it any other way. I'm proud to be a young mom and encourage all the others out there to do the best they can.

Amylcd,

Having a child at such a young age puts stress on a multitude of support systems, not just government agencies. You have to admit at some time there was alot of stress due to your young age. Please do not take offense because, I am in no way trying to demoralizing you, infact I am applauding you for becoming a responsible adult.

Hellllllo Nurse,

The bedpan is not half-full nor is it half-empty, rather it is just FOS.

ZAHMAN

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Amy,

I can honestly say after multiple interactions with this girl, that she more than likely will be on welfare, and her outcome will not be like yours.

My mom had me at 19 also, but she was married at the time, and it was a decision she and my father made together to start a family. I'm guessing this scenario is closer to yours.

You know the irony to all of this? One of the other RN's I work with wanted to adopt a dog from the humane society. They declined her application, because the upcoming move into her and her husband's new home will be too much stress on the dog! Yet, I have seen four teenage girls with positive pregnancy tests in the last week, and there is not a soul that can refuse them bringing an innocent child into this world! Now, who is going to be more stressed out?!?

Our world just seems more and more screwed up by the day! Goodness, I hate to sound like a pessimistic wet mop here! My apologies!

Why does everyone automatically assume this girl will be on welfare?

I had a child at 19, and my other at 20. I'm very happily married, my husband is set in his career, I'm in nursing school. We live a very nice, comfortable life and I would not have it any other way. I'm proud to be a young mom and encourage all the others out there to do the best they can.

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