“Early maternity units” fell in France in recent years, according to an INSEE study. Less than 2% of babies born in 2018 have a mother under the age of 20. Nevertheless, hearing his teenager announce that he will become a parent is not always as simple. Advice from Catherine Salinier, pediatrician.
What is an early pregnancy, at what age?
Some young girls become mothers when they just leave childhood. We talk about early pregnancy When the future mother is aged under 20. But when we are minor, become mother While his high school comrades swim in the carelessness of adolescence, raises many questions. “Accident” or not, near 12,000 babies born in 2018 have a mother under 20 years old (or less than 2% of 759,000 births), specifies INSEE in a study published in September 2019. However, Early maternityities would have become rare In France. “”For more than thirty years, early maternities have been less than 3% of births in mainland France. Indeed, nowadays, the arrival of the first child is generally desired and programmed, it often takes place after the end of the mother’s studies and when the couple is installed, situations occurring more and later“, specify the authors of the study. In addition, if there is less early pregnancies Nowadays (there were 7% of births in 1973) it is especially due to the legalization of abortion and medical contraceptions. Another factor: couples settle today to live together and tend to wait more and more before having their first child.
If some teenagers plan and want their pregnancy, for many it is not the case. Even if, “Behind an unexpected pregnancy, or at least following an unprotected relationship, perhaps unconsciously hides a desire for pregnancy“, Specifies Dr. Salinier, who explains this phenomenon by a lack of informmation or misuse of cone meanstractionignorance of the functioning of their bodies or even, a desire to burn the steps …What are the reasons that bring a teenager to have a child?
For some parents, be awarded the status of “Grandparents” at forty Barely can cause strange reactions (anger, fear, shock, sidelining, disappointment, etc.). As far as possible, the role of parents is above all to support the child, but also to inform him about the complexity of becoming a very young mother, about the alternatives that exist as the voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG) and this, so that the young girl makes her decision with full knowledge of the facts. “”Only prevention and awareness of contraception may Avoid these early pregnancies which, in the vast majority of cases, are very difficult to manage situations for both the teenager and for those around her“, wishes to specify Catherine Salinier, before adding that”Having a young child is certainly an overwhelming life choice that involves great complications, but it can also be a fulfilling event“. Whatever the decision, the best is to use a professional opinion. The girl, alone or accompanied by her parents, can”Going to a family information and planning center where social assistance, psychologists and gynecologists are there to provide them with psychological support and objective responses on social laws, state aid, procedures for an abortion, etc.“, Advises the pediatrician. In addition, carried by the joy and the excitement of (re) Pouponne, some parents project themselves into the pregnancy of their daughter. The expert warns:”The teen will have to assume her act, it will be her to take care of the child who needs the presence of her mother. It is never healthy for the child to be raised or too much guarded by his grandparents, even if they can obviously find together compromises to keep the child from time to time“.
My son put a pregnant daughter, what to do?In the same way as the pregnant girl will have to take on the role of mother with maturity, parenthood involves assuming its responsibility and adult obligations. “”Do not hesitate to tell him that this child is the fruit of the union of two people and that he is as much concerned and responsible as the girl“, Recommends Catherine Salinier who adds that”Even if it is to the two teenagers that the decision is to keep the baby or not, you can however meet the parents of the girl and discuss together the possibilities of the future for the couple (recourse to abortion, apartment, financial aspects, etc.)“. Again, the use of professionals”who have more perspective and are more objective“is strongly advised by the pediatrician. |
School and life of parent, is it compatible?
Difficult to reintegrate into the school curriculum when you have to take care of a child! Yes, becoming a very young mother represents time, responsibilities, money and can slow down education. Even if reconciling her life as a mother and her student life is “however possible if the teen is well surrounded and mature enough to manage and organize his time“, Indicates the pediatrician. Indeed, some young girls manage to find a balance between their life as a teenager and their role as mom,”interrupt only their studies during maternity leave and manage to catch up with missed weeks without too much difficulty“. On the other hand, other young mothers give up their schooling and find a job to be able to provide for their child. Again, the dialogue between parents and adolescent girls is essential for”Help the latter make a suitable professional choice“, Add the expert, note that some schools are quite indulgent in the absence of young mothers and can offer development hours. The public service site lists the list of establishments where to learn to continue their schooling according to your city, it is also possible to contact the National Information Center on the Rights of Women and Families (CNIFF) of its department which will provide all the necessary information.
