by Teresa Brouwer

Created on: October 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 29, 2008

In 1984, at eighteen-years-old, I became pregnant. I chose to keep the baby and married the father of my child. Back in the eighties, teen pregnancy wasn't as broad as it is today. We didn't have movies like "Juno" to educate us or the ABC Family Show "The Secret Life Of The American Teenager." What most kids did have was parents who were so afraid to breathe the word "sex" and inform and teach us about birth control, abortion, adoption, and the resources that were available to pregnant teens.

I was unaware of the help that was available and I had no idea what I was qualified for. I simply did what was the norm, see an OBGYN, got married, rented a home, painted a nursery, and counted the days down to the day when I would become a mother.

I had a lot of financial downfalls and my husband turned out to be an alcoholic abusive man. There were times we had no car, no money, no phone, and no food. It was tough and at times we had popcorn for dinner, but I ended up getting a job, went to college, and left him after eleven long years. I survived, had three daughters, and lived a fulfilling life.

They say that history repeats itself. My middle-daughter came home pregnant at eighteen-years-old, but this time I was prepared, not for me, but for her. I knew exactly what she needed to do, where to go, who to talk to, what her options were, whether she could go to college or not, and basically put her in a direction that would change her life forever.

There is a lot that we can do when we are pregnant to help ourselves and avoid those pitfalls than can truly destroy our lives:

1. Tell your parents: This is the hardest thing a teenager can do. Some parents are truly heartbroken when this happens and they don't know how to handle this kind of situation, but when teen pregnancy enters a person's life - they need support and parents are the first ones that should be there.

2. Medical Insurance: Medicaid, also known in some states as,"Healthy Connections" is available for those in need. A teenage mom should immediately apply for this form of medical insurance once she finds out she is pregnant. An easy-to-do application is required and they go by your income.

3. Findind a Doctor: Some teens are still on their parents medical insurance and some already have a gynecologist. See a doctor right away. Get prenatal vitamins and start your prenatal care.

4. WIC: Also known as Women, Infant, and Children. This service provides nutritional products for children up to the age of five-years-old

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