pregnant teenager

[cassann46]

Help my youngest daughter at just over 17 is having a baby in July 2010, would love to talk to any other mums who have already experienced this, as i am sure i am not the only one.

thanks

[mumblechum]

Bump for you. Maybe try in lone parents? Assuming she is going to be one?

[keepitsweet]

I was a 17 year old mum, if you want to ask me anything.

I'm sure my mother would give you a few choice words of her opinion at the time. DD now a teenager herself.

[StephysFamous]

Quite a late reply, but I had my DD a week before my 18th. 3 years on I might not be much help to you, but I might be able to offer some advice to your DD

[CRAZYCREW]

hi there i am a 39 year old grandma and my teenage daughter who is 16 had a baby this year.... email me at [email protected] and will chat.. our little baby though is poorly and his mummy also not well but she has gone back to college and dong a nurse trining scheme as wants to provide a future for her little fella so i look after him but there are so many organistions that can help. i an help with othe roptions too and the bad as well as the good so please contact me...#

nicola x

[SirBoobAlot]

I'm nineteen next month and have a five month old son. Can I help you / her at all?

[cassann46]

Thanks for the message, hope im doing this right, im new to mumsnet, mt DD is sat next to me and she wants to know who was your birht parner, she has asked me and while i will do it she knows im not looking forward to it, she is scared about giving birth, have you got any advice? also she would like to know if you dont mind what are you doing now? work or college etc?

ann and catriona xx

[SirBallotAlot]

Everyone is scared of birth to some degree regardless of age Birth partners, I had my mum and my DP, both of whom were fantastic. My mum said she found it difficult seeing me in pain and not being able to do anything, but aside from that she was really glad she was there.

Is there a local teenage midwife? The one I saw was brilliant, she really was so amazing, and the teen antenatal group I attended was also good - am now helping out there. The midwifery clinic should be able to tell her if there is - or if you're near me I can have a word with my old midwife. There is also a post natal group.

Be prepared for negativity from the general public. I can't decide if its been worse during pregnancy or with a baby, but some people are simply morons. You have to remember that your baby now comes first, and as upsetting as some of the comments can be, just smile and tell them to get lost.

Comforting thoughts; because you are younger, you are less likely to tear, more likely to regain your previous shape and weight with ease, and recover quicker.

I'm disabled, so not at work or college, but am actually very grateful for that. I get to enjoy my DS. And its easier as I'm breastfeeding, so don't have to worry about expressing. However there are qualifications being run at young parent groups nationwide. Personally am starting training as a breastfeeding supporter soon on the request of my midwife.

Make sure you get out and about once your baby is here - got to postnatal groups, the local Big Scream, the story time at the library. Or you will go insane stuck inside with a baby 24/7

Go easy on yourself and be kind to yourself. Having a baby - especially young - is difficult. Its tiring, stressful, frustrating, worrying, intimidating, boring, repetitive... But is also the most rewarding, enjoyable, pleasurable, full-of-pride and amazing job in the world. It is okay to wonder "What the FUCK have I done?!" on occasion - everyone does! Make things easier as well - simple things like having the things you will need for outfits / changing etc in sets so you don't have to hunt round, especially in the first weeks.

Is she on facebook? More than happy to be "added" if she wants someone to talk to.

[cassann46]

Hi again and thanks so much for your advice, My DD is on facebook if you e mail me on [email protected], i can let you know her name etc.

[Monty100]

Cassann - just want to say you sound like a really lovely supportive mum, your dd is lucky to have you.

My dear niece had a baby a few months ago at 19, so quite a bit older. She had the baby naturally, she absolutely amazed me she did so well, and she's a wonderful mother, still breastfeeding. My dsis was her birth partner although the bf of dn was there too.

Wishing you both well .

[Maveta]

she might like watching the mtv series '16 and pregnant' there are a variety of stories on there including girls who chose adoption, girls who left school, who kept on studying, those who were more responsible about their new role and those who leant more heavily on their parents' support. It might be hard viewing at times, universally the girls find the adjustment to parenthood hard but I would say many older women do too and forewarned is forearmed... also the great thing to take from it all is that when all is said and done they all love their children and want the best for them and are glad to be mums.