Single and pregnant?? Accident or Trend??? Abort or not to abort??? Since I do ultrasound for a living I have noticed a change in my patients in recent times. A lot of my patients are young and in a lot of cases unmarried . I think it'swonderful to have a baby but unless you are ready it might be more than you can handle. For some it's repeated family thing that has happened in their families, while for others they come from families that never would have dreamed they would be in such a situation. "I" for one came from a family that I do not think they thought that such a situation would be an issue. That happened elsewhere not here. I was 18 years old, pregnant 6 months into a relationship and IT happened. The thought of abortion came up numerous times, but never happened. Unlike a lot of girls I knew that I was strong enough with my supportive family I could make it but if I didn't my BABY would pay the price. If you want to see what a baby that is usually aborted close to 12 weeks looks like than look at my website:http://momspicsandsticks.com/ and look at some 1 trimester pictures. I am in no way trying to steer you into keeping a baby that you may in no way want, but I do think it's important to see what you will be terminating if that is your choice. Adoption is always an option but I could never do it. That's just me. Let me tell you what changes happen in your life when you get pregnant at a young and unprepared time. The first and foremost thing that happens is that you will notice your body changing. Thats fun if you don't get sick but if you get morning sickness, Ugghh!! horrible. That last until around the 12th week and then you get that second wind. Thank God that feeling Great feeling is back. Now you can't wait to feel the baby and that happens anywhere from 16 weeks until 23 weeks. That feeling is so awesome. To know there is a little baby moving in your body is just a Miracle. You and your partner in most cases love this house playing thing. It's fun with really and with no worries. Then you start showing. People now realize that you actually didn't put on weight, but you are in fact pregnant. All babies anatomically grow at the same rate regardless of mother sizes. So if you friend is worried you are so small, unless you have been told by a health care provider that there was a problem, I would be more worried about your friend that is bigger. That means more weight to take off. It does not always ALL come off either but we deal. So now you are about 20 weeks or so and the baby is now about 12-14 oz's and from head to feet probably about 6-7 inches now. Next question is do you want to know if it's a boy or girl at this point and we can tell too. Time to REGISTER! That is so much fun. OMG, look how cute. Get this and that and so on. Getting close to 30-32 weeks some people get swelling in their feet and sometimes hands. You must put you feet up or even wear support hose just to keep you legs from swelling more than they should. Hopefully, it's not summer now. As time goes on and the date gets closer the Excitement is overwhelming. You already plan on having an epidural so in your mind delivery may be a piece of cake. Some cases you are right. Most case a lot of females would beg to differ. Then delivery!!!!! Oh how beautiful!! Who does the baby look like, take out the baby pics, it's all so surreal. Home bound!!! Wow the baby sleeps so much!!!That is during the day most times. Babies rarely sleep through the night the first month. Get up time & time, again & again etc. Day after day, week after week. Your friends come during the day. They just love this baby. The novelty. It's wonderful. Now the difference is they are making plans to go out. You may have someone to stay with the baby but in most cases your to tired to go out. $$ is tight and when you get home you have to get up at during the night or early morning. It is probably better to stay in until your partner is going out again and again. It's not about you anymore. For a while thats OK, but it gets tough. That's not to say and older, married couple won't go through the same things, but there is a different level of commitment especially when you are married. You can't just get out of it. Child support, formula, diapers and those are just a few things. What about insurance, work, daycare? Sometimes the relationship you had with your partner is strained (happens to married couple too) but it's easier to walk away without that commitment. There is a lot to think about prior to actually getting pregnant. The responsibility of the baby has to be part of the what if (I get pregnant). At least it's pregnancy and not AIDS or some of the more popular STD's that are out there. I am not here to Preach the pregnancy statistics, but I was a single mother for 13 years. I had my son 25 years ago. 4 months ago I became a grandmother at the age of 44 years old. I wouldn't change it for the world. But my 3 young girls below the age of 8 years old think my son is married. Why? Because I don't want my girls to think it's OK to go out and get pregnant or to be irresponsible. They will know one day. BTW, my son has never had a relationship with his father except the first 9 months of my sons life. I broke off the relationship, but thats for another day. I have lived with GUILT because I made a choice to bring a child into this World, and HE suffered the loss of not having his father around. The age is a huge factor. It is not until many years later that people realize what mistakes they have made (and I am not talking about my mistakes). My son was truly a Blessing for me. He forced me to grow up and take a stand. He led me in the right direction. My story is a great one because I WORKED at it. Not because someone gave me breaks or $$. I know of a lot more situations that went the other way. Down hill all the way..There is plenty of time to have a child and take on the responsibility of another person, especially a baby. If you are going to have to struggle that means so will your baby.. Just think before you get a positive pregnancy test. That's 1 test in life you have to be ready for. If you can't afford to take care of yourself, do you really think you are ready to financially take care of a baby for 20+years. There is no room for dead beats anymore. That included single moms and single dads. Society is in a budget crisis. Think twice before you fool around without birth control. All it takes is 1 time and don't be fooled, it could be your first time. I should know!!!

Just a note to say "Hope Everyone Wonderful Day"
...& "Happy Easter".  If you do not celebrate, I hope you had a "Very Wonderful Day" and "May God grant you wishes you can only imagine".
Maureen