This is a great story....

http://www.detnews.com/2004/oakland/0409/23/d04-282125.htm

That was a great story, but I think it is more geared toward single teen moms. I think the mortality rates discussed in the article are quite alarming and sad. I'm glad to hear that there are agencies out there that are recognizing the need to educate young women about the need for care before the baby even arrives. I think they need to be applauded for addressing the needs of the babies so that they have a fighting chance at survival.

-Jennifer

Hi,I have just read the report and
Iam with Jennifer with this.This problem should be addressed in a seamless link between the Education,Health and Social service networks.So no one falls through a gap between the services and put's themselves and baby's at risk through lack of information and counselling.


Mark

On another note about this.
Here in the UK we have the highest percentage of Teenage Pregnancy in Europe.An experiment was carried in the local area which has the highest percentage within the UK,whereby.
A small number of Teenage girl's were taken with Parent's permission to a specialist education centre,they were introduced to doll's that simulated baby's.The dolls cried,wet,got grouchy,They had to be fed,etc.This was all controlled by microchips within the doll.The girl's were expected to carry out the normal educational day and also look after their "baby" 24/7.
If the 'Baby" was mistreated,such as fell down and hurt its head,being held incorrectly the or it had been crying for feeding and ignored,after a set period of time an alarm would go off silently within the "baby" and alert the Educational staff.Apparently after the experiment had finished the projected pregnancy rate dropped dramatically over the next 12 months.
The boys didn't get away lightly either,they had to wear a pregnancy prosthetic that simulated the size and weight of an unborn child for a week,to gauge their reactions.

Mark

I wish they would do that everywhere in every high school. Maybe it would drop the number of teen pregnancies. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condemning anyone that has children when they are teens, but I was finished with high school and know how hard it is. I think that there are some teens that just don't know what a baby takes out of you. I think that more programs like this would be so helpful in girls waiting to go through motherhood. I was 19 when I got pregnant and my son was born and, while I wouldn't give my son up for anything, I really wish I had waited a few more years.

-Jennifer

I've seen those dolls. Pretty good technology towards realism for these experiments. Perhaps a good dose of reality, if only they could be more commonly used. I guess they must be pretty expensive though.