Expecting Teens

Psalm 127:3
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. (NLT) 

If you're a teen reading this take a second and take a deep breadth...............and relax.................. I know you're afraid right now, a little overwhelmed by the news, and not knowing what to do, but your not alone and you've come to the right place......... we will make it through this experience together.................We all make mistakes. We all sometimes choose sin over following God and His Design. But our God is bigger than this, and He can handle it. God does not hate you for being pregnant. Being pregnant is not a sin.  THE BABY IS NOT A SIN OR PUNISHMENT.  It's not even a sin to be pregnant out of wedlock. Surprised? Well, it's still a fact. Your baby will not be sinning if he or she is born to unmarried parents. You're going to be okay.

Tell God What Happened

The sin you committed was having sex outside of marriage-and that goes for the guy as well. But that is done and in the past now. Confess it to God, and you will be forgiven for it (1 John 1:9). Yes, you will have to deal with the consequences of having sex outside of marriage, but with God, you can do it (Philippians 4:13). It's time to move on to the next step, one that can provide you with much hope and joy. I know that's hard to imagine, but You WILL make it through this.

Tell Your Parents What Happened

Your parents need to know that you're pregnant, so that is the next step. It's going to be hard. They are probably going to be disappointed. They may be worried about your family's reputation, especially in the Christian community. But they need to know, and they might even be able to help you. After all, this unborn baby is their grandchild.

Proverbs 6:20-22 says to follow the teaching of our parents and that "when you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you." If they are believers who truly want to follow God's ways for life, they will eventually come around to acceptance of the situation. Their job as parents is to guide you and help you lead a godly life, turning to God always-no matter what circumstances you're in.

Take Another Breath!

No matter how terrifying the situation seems, you will make it through. God is the One we can run to; He will wrap us in His arms and fill us with strength when the nights are long and dark and lonely (Psalm 46:1; Psalm 91:1-2). God will meet all your needs whether physically, spiritually, or through His people (Philippians 4:19). Watch for those encouragements and opportunities. If you ask Him for them, they will come.

You are a precious creation of God. You may have made a mistake, but you are not the first person to have made this one (Romans 3:23). God has a perfect plan for you and this baby (Psalm 139:13-18). Because this has happened, He will make it into something beautiful. It may not be the perfect situation for everyone, but you and your baby are  extraordinary human beings and God loves you both.

 412teens.org

How An Ahavah Doula Can Help

Birth can be a transformative experience for a teenager. Through the support of a doula, teen parents are both educated and nurtured and as a result, many achieve healthy lifestyle changes and personal goals

Doulas provide more than emotional and physical comfort; they are acting as mentors for healthy parenting and forming trusting relationships. As doulas we listen and provide useful suggestions and respect individual choices.

Ahavah Doula Services provides intensive home visiting service that provides education
and support to expectant teens and thier parents/guardians.  We provide weekly education-based
home visits covering a variety of labor, delivery, prenatal, and postpartum
topics

These May include:

  • The developing baby
  • Preparing to be a teen parent
  • Nutrtion 
  • Prenatal health and wellness
  • Breast Feeding 
  • Labor and delivery
  • Stress management
  • Newborn care

As Doulas we are also present during the labor process to provide emotional
support, information, and physical comfort measures while serving as an
advocate. 

Prenatal Group

The groups allow young parents to come
together in a supportive environment to learn about their changing bodies,
healthy prenatal lifestyles, and what to expect as they prepare to welcome a
baby into their lives.


Childbirth Education Classes

Childbirth Education Class is Doula-led and provides an
opportunity for pregnant teens and support partners to learn more about
pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Together create
and maintain a safe and warm environment in which to discuss self-care and
prenatal health strategies. Childbirth Education Classes cover a variety of
topics which may include:

  • Prenatal care
  • Prenatal nutrition
  • Signs/stages of labor
  • Comfort measures
  • Unique birthing choices

Childbirth Education Class offers expectant moms and dads the opportunity to build relationships with other
soon-to-be-parents. Classes are offered free of charge and are held in
eight-week sessions.


PARENT/GUARDIAN PREPAREDNESS CLASS

This class is for parents/guardians of the expecting teen and provides hands on techniques of how to physically support thier teen through labor and the birth of the baby for a healthy birth outcome.  Topics include:

  • Signs/stages of labor
  • Comfort measures for labor
  • Unexpected labor difficulties: breech pregnancy, c-section - what to expect and how to support your teen
  • Breast Feeding
  • Newborn care
  • Co-parenting as a grandparent