National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

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can help COAPPP's efforts
to decrease teen pregnancy.

For Teens

  · Frequently Asked Questions & Contraceptive Choices
  · I am a Parenting Teen or I Think Am a Pregnant
  · Ideas for Youth Action
  ·  Other Resources for Teens

 
Being a teenager can be a great time in life – you’re making friends that you’ll have for the rest of your life. You may have a “serious” boyfriend or girlfriend for the first time.  You’re forming your own thinking about the world around you.

As a teenager, you’re also facing many challenges that you may be afraid to share with anyone – maybe even too embarrassed to talk with your parents or closest friends about.  It’s very likely that you’re also having many questions about your own sexuality.  That’s normal and nothing to be ashamed about.  Believe it or not, your mom, dad, older siblings, and most of the adults around you had many of the same questions and confusions you may be facing now. 

Whether you are sexually active or not, you have the right and responsibility to understand how to make HEALTHY and INFORMED decisions about your sexual health.  Parents, trusted adults, and friends can be a great source of education and support as you become educated about sex and overall health, but it is your responsibility to make sure that the choices you are making keep you safe and healthy.  As a teenager, every decision you make, from going to school, working a job, to decisions about sex have consequences, so learn the facts!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I’m a junior in high school, and it seems like everyone around me is having sex or at least talking about having sex.  I feel completely different from everyone else because I’m still a virgin.  Although I have a boyfriend that I really love, I don’t think I’m ready for sex.  Am I normal?

You are absolutely normal and it’s okay to say “no.”  Actually, most Colorado teens (60.7 percent) in 9th to 12th grade report that they have never had sex.  So, you see, most teens around you are NOT having sex.  Furthermore, abstaining from sexual activity is the safest, 100 percent way to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

I heard my girlfriend can’t get pregnant the “first time.”  But she has decided to get on the birth control pill.  We should be completely protected now, right?

You can definitely get pregnant the first time without birth control.  While abstaining from sex is the only 100% way to prevent pregnancy, the birth control pill, when used correctly, can prevent pregnancy 92 – 98 percent of the time.  BUT REMEMBER, the pill will not protect you from STDs or HIV.  Correct condom use and other contraceptive methods will greatly decrease your chances of contracting an STD or HIV or becoming pregnant.

To learn more about your contraceptive choices, please visit the following website: Advocates for Youth: Contraceptives: What are my choices?

I am a Parenting Teen or I Think Am a Pregnant

Now What?  You have some serious life-altering choices to make.  Whatever your decision, you will very likely need to find some guidance and support during this time.

Pregnancy, STD/HIV Testing and Other Information 

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains offers pregnancy testing, counseling, and referrals at all its clinic locations.  Learn more

You can call:
Denver Metro - 303.321.7526
Outside the Denver Metro Area - 800.230.7526

A Healthy Pregnancy 

Whether you have chosen to raise your child or to place your child in an adopted home, it is critical that you seek prenatal care immediately.  Your health care professional will help guide you through a regimen that will help increase you likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

If you are uninsured, there are programs to help you receive free or low-cost prenatal care:

School-Based Health Centers provide physical and mental health care, serving students whose access to health care is limited including adolescents and low income children who are uninsured or underinsured.  Click here to find a school-based health center in your area. 

Prenatal CHP+ is a free or low-cost health insurance program for residents of Colorado. Click here to learn more.

Medicaid provides health insurance coverage to low income families.  Click here for a list of sites to contact to request information and an application.

Colorado Community Health Network provides a list of Community Health Centers around Colorado.  Click here to find a center near you.

Parenting Teens

Raising a child at any age is a challenge.  Being a teen parent can have its own special circumstances. School, child care, work, basic-needs, single-parenting – there are many issues to consider on a daily basis.  However, you can still make goals and positive life decisions for you and your child.

Healthy parenting takes work, but you are not alone.  Here are some resources for parenting teens:

Boulder County GENESIS Program

Colorado Bright Beginnings

ATP3 – Metro Community Providers Network

Parent Pathways and The Florence Crittenton School

Invest In Kids

Ideas for Youth Action

Click here for a list of ways you can raise awareness in your community about teen pregnancy and supporting teen parents. 

More Online Resources for Teens

Own Your C - provides forum for teens to express their choices and opinions

Sex, Etc. - site on sexuality written by teens, for teens

The Children's Hospital - Colorado Adolescent Maternity Program (C.A.M.P.)

Teenwire.com – A Website of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Go Ask Alice – Columbia University’s Health Q&A Website

Advocates for Youth – Youth Lounge

Colorado Anti-Violence Program – Support for LGBT youth and adults

Lambda Youth OUTreach – Support for LGBT and Questioning Youth

National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

The Rights of Teen Parents – from teenwire.com

Mile High United Way Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a bilingual call specialist who can help you find health and human services in the metro Denver area.