PregnancytoParenting.com
The starting point for all things baby
General Introduction to Pregnancy
Your Changing Body and Pregnancy
Emotions and Pregnancy
Your Baby’s Development
Potential Pregnancy Complications
Birth Defects
Testing During Pregnancy (what and when)
Preparing for Baby
Special Circumstances
Labor and Delivery
The Postpartum Period
 

 

Special Circumstances

Every expecting mother wants to have a perfect pregnancy, but sometimes the circumstances surrounding pregnancy are far from ideal.

Unexpected pregnancies can bring feelings of shock and worry. Expecting mothers who did not plan their pregnancy may feel overwhelmed and confused about what to do. The best thing to do when a pregnancy is unexpected is to get help. A family member or a close friend can provide the emotional support needed to help you navigate your unexpected pregnancy. There are also support organizations that can help you during this emotional time.

Teen pregnancy comes with its own set of challenges and complications. Infants born to teen mothers are at a higher risk of developing health issues, often because teens don’t seek out quality prenatal care. It’s vitally important that teenage mothers seek out support early in their pregnancy for the health of themselves and their baby. Support can also help because teens aren’t often ready to process pregnancy emotions and changes to their body on their own.

Women who are 35 and over are considered to be of advanced maternal age. Although most women experience a healthy pregnancy after age 35, when a woman is of advanced maternal age their risks of developing pregnancy complications can increase. Some of these complications can include an increased risk of having a baby with a birth defect, gestational diabetes, problems with the placenta and premature delivery.  Good prenatal care can help mom and baby to remain healthy during pregnancy.

Single parenting can be a planned path or an unexpected event. Being pregnant without a partner can be a lonely experience. If you are unexpectedly single during your pregnancy it will be vital for you to secure a support network. Asking a good friend or family member to be your birthing partner is one way you can secure support for yourself. Even if you planned to be pregnant and single, it’s still a time where you may need the support from others to navigate the emotions and physical changes that accompany pregnancy.

For any number of reasons maybe you are considering putting your baby up for adoption. Regardless of the circumstances, making the decision to give your child up for adoption can be a challenging one. Only you know what is best for you, and that will be important to remember throughout your pregnancy. Enlisting the support of a close friend or family member can help you evaluate your options and stand strong in your decision to give another family the ultimate gift of life.

 

Websites on Special Circumstances:

Adoption
http://www.adoption.com/
Adoption Information
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/adoption/index.htm
Teen Pregnancy
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teenagepregnancy.html
I Am Pregnant Teen Pregnancy
http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/encyclopedia/Pregnancy/Teen-Pregnancy
About.com Teen Pregnancy
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/teenpregnancy/a/teenpreg.htm
Advanced Maternal Age
http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/stlouis/ESLadv_maternal_age.htm
Pregnancy After 35
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1155.asp
Single Pregnancy
http://www.singlepregnancy.com/
Single Mothers Organization
http://singlemothers.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=2
Unexpected Pregnancy