Youngest labor patient?

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Jan 7, 2005

I was about to ask the same question. They have about as much business being parents as their kids do. Unbelieveable. :angryfire

z's playa · Jan 7, 2005

I was 13.

riern · Jan 8, 2005

As I sat here reading all these posts I can't help but think about several of the young ladies I've taken care of.

There was the 11 year old victim of incest who returned at 12, 13, and 15 to have more children. We tried to help her but she and her family were very uncooperative.

The 13 year old who swore she'd never had sex, only fooled around. Well, the doctors final theory was the bf ejaculated in the upper thigh groin area which was nice and moist with lady partsl secretions and the little sperm swam right on up and found the jackpot.

The 14 year old cheerleader with the 21 year old bf whose mother cried and kept telling her mama's here. Where the heck was mama 9 months ago.

The 12 year old whose mother was so excited that she was about to be a grandmother for the first time.

The average age of our patients is 16-20 and most of them continue coming in year after year having as many as 6 or more children. I try to care for all of my patients with compassion and understanding no matter how old they are or how many children they have. It is difficult sometimes to look at these young girls and know that I have an 11 year old daughter and a 16 year old son at home. I am a big patient advocater and believe in educating my patients as much as possible. I also carry that over at home. My children may be young parents one day, I've learned not to say what they will and won't do, but they will not be able to honestly look at me or anyone else and say they didn't know what they were doing or that they could get pg that way.

To those of you who have been the young patients and gone on to get your education and worked hard to make a good life for yourself.......Congratulations. You should all be very proud of yourselves. You should also know you are the exception to the rule.

I try not to let my personal opinions or feelings affect the care I give my patients. I do this by reminding myself that there but for the grace of God go I. My goal is to care for these girls, educate them, and give them the opportunity to express their concerns, reassure them and give them the numbers of people and organizations that can help them when they leave the safety of the hospital. I strongly encourage them to continue their education and give them the names and phone numbers of people who can assist them with that as well.

I've learned in my own life that one wrong decision or bad situation doesn't a bad life make, unless you let it. The wrong decisions or bad situations I've gotten myself into have made me the woman, mother, wife, sister,daughter and nurse I am today. Our life is what we make it, and with the help, love and support of a good family and a strong faith in God we can overcome anything.

Rie

NurseStacey143, ADN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

saddest one I saw while in nursing school was a 13 year old who delivered and found out she was HIV +. She didnt tell any of her family members, not even her mother about the dx, so no support:(

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

A 12 year old who was quite naturally scared to death. This was before epidurals and she screameddddddddd ! She said her mama had told her to get pregnant because they needed the extra welfare money. She said her other 3 sisters each had several children. I'll never forget her. Her child must be at least 30 by now. I was doing my OB clinical at the time.

Several years ago when I was working OB/GYN we had three 14 y/o's who all delivered within a month of each other. They had decided it would be fun to have a baby and were in a race to see who could have theirs first. OMG. My daughter is 24 and I still think she's too young although I'd love to be a Grandmother. Right now I'm settling for Grandpuppies.

z's playa · Jan 8, 2005

In defense of the mothers....I don't think it's fair to say "Where were the mothers when their daughters were getting pregnant".

A mother can only do so much (sermons, pamphlets, face to face talks) to prevent it from happening but in the end it's the girls decision.

Unfortunately a mother can't sit on her daughter 24/ 7.

okie2 · Jan 8, 2005

First of all I'm not a nurse, only pre- right now, so I won't be contributing professional opinions....that said.

A concern I have is that an 11 year old is even CAPABLE of conceiving! My friends and I didn't start menstruation until high school!! (14/15 yo) This was only 25 yrs ago. We wouldn't have been able to get pregnant at 11/ 12 yo. (there was only one girl that started in 8th grade). But at 11-we all looked like little boys!! I would be interested in the average age of onset of menstruation??? I wonder if this is an effect of our environment, pollution, use of hormones in food, etc. & I know young girls that have been put on BC in middle school to help with acne!! crazy IMHO. I also see girls in 2nd and 3rd grade who are suffering with early pubescence.

It's scary to me that children are not only maturing socially too quickly but also physiologically!

Anyone have any info or experience with this question? Am I making correlations that aren't there?

allnurses Guide · Jan 8, 2005

First of all I'm not a nurse, only pre- right now, so I won't be contributing professional opinions....that said.
A concern I have is that an 11 year old is even CAPABLE of conceiving! My friends and I didn't start menstruation until high school!! (14/15 yo) This was only 25 yrs ago. We wouldn't have been able to get pregnant at 11/ 12 yo. (there was only one girl that started in 8th grade). But at 11-we all looked like little boys!! I would be interested in the average age of onset of menstruation??? I wonder if this is an effect of our environment, pollution, use of hormones in food, etc. & I know young girls that have been put on BC in middle school to help with acne!! crazy IMHO. I also see girls in 2nd and 3rd grade who are suffering with early pubescence.
It's scary to me that children are not only maturing socially too quickly but also physiologically!
Anyone have any info or experience with this question? Am I making correlations that aren't there?

I know there are studies out there showing a lowering of the age of the beginning of menstruation. I have my own theory though and it is the epidemic of obese kids. Estrogen is tied to adipose tissue.

Most of the little girls my daughter age who are overweight started their periods young - one was 8 year old, tall for her age and about 30 pounds overweight. My daughter started at 14. So did I. My nickname in school had to do with being way too skinny. She hasn't been teased so far. Thank goodness.

There is also an increase in diabetes in kids. All tied to being overweight.

steph

goodknight · Jan 8, 2005

The age to start menstration has definately lowered. Myself @ 11 (barely) and all my friends followed soon after. And I was skinny. I have my own theory about this. I wonder if all the hormones that they put in milk and give to chickens, cows, pigs, ect. have something to do with it.

Also It was my understanding you could get pregnant before you started having periods. Was I misinformed?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

No, you weren't misinformed. It's happened. But i would think that would be because the girls were on the verge of starting their periods, though?

okie2 · Jan 9, 2005

thanks for the input- I thought maybe I was just seeing things:)

and yes- we there are alot of hormones used in animals and chemicals that mimic hormones used in the environment.

I'm going to research this further.

BTW- My friend (resident in OB @ large city hospital) said the youngest she's seen was 12- sexually abused by a family member her whole life until the preg-so sad.

allnurses Guide · Jan 9, 2005

Ovulation happens before your period starts so I'm sure it is possible to get pregnant before you actually start menstruation. Teens are very irregular. And bleeding can be light.

steph