This is something to celebrate!  As a mother, I know that once you have a child your life (and your life’s pathway) are forever altered.  And, you are forever tied to their father (hi, honey!).   My teen patients and I discuss what is happening to their bodies and decisions they will be making.  Dating?  Boundaries?  Sex?  Contraception?  STDs?  Pregnancy?  I have rarely had a parent that did not want me to be a professional sounding board for their changing teen.

The CDC released data that the teen birth rate has fallen 37% over the last 20 years.  However, our rate of teen pregnancy (ages 15-19) is still NINE times higher than in many other developed countries.   The numbers of teens having sex decreased in white, black and Hispanic races for both boys and girls, but black and Hispanic girls remain twice as likely (as white girls) to become teenage mothers.

A CDC fact sheet states that health care providers can help reduce the teen birth rate.  My role is to listen, counsel, and help anyway that I can.  Use your family physician to help educate your children about the adult decisions they will face.

Hope this helps.