Teen Birth Rates Rise First Time Since 1991

According to the Centers for Disease Control news release, teen pregnancy has risen for the first time since 1991 as well as an increase in the numbers for women who are unmarried and pregnant.

Statistics taken by the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics has shown that between 2005-2006 the rate for teen pregnancy has risen by three percent for teens between the ages of 15-19 making it 40.5 live births per 1,000 teenagers in 2005, 41.9 per 1,000 in 2006. These statistics are based on over 99 percent of all births in the United States.

Some of the largest numbers that have increased were for non-Hispanic African American teens, in which the overall rate rose almost five percent. Two percent for Hispanic teens, three percent for white teens and finally four percent for American Indian teens. Statistics also show a rise in unmarried pregnant women by nearly eight percent, bringing the numbers up to 1,641,700 unmarried women in 2006. The biggest numbers were those of women between the ages of 25-29. Other numbers that increased were the non-marital birth rate of 47.5 births per 1,000 unmarried women in 2005, and 50.6 births per 1,000 unmarried women in 2006.

Stay Teen - How to Avoid Teenage Pregnancy has made a specific list on how teenagers can prevent becoming pregnant. The number one way to avoid becoming pregnant is of course not having sex. However this alternative does not always work for those who are already sexually active.

The second alternative is then to protect yourself when having sex. Do not automatically assume that your partner is protecting themselves. You are responsible for you, not anyone else. Birth control, condoms, whatever it takes. If you do not have the money to buy condoms, go to your local hospital if you must have sex and ask for condoms, most major hospitals will give out condoms with no questions asked. If your not completely sure what condoms to use, take a look here http://www.fda.gov/oashi/aids/condom.html. This will give you all the information you need regarding what condoms to use and how much protection they actually offer.

Last but not least, take advice from a once teen mom, take responsibility for your own actions. Getting pregnant is a life decision. It is not anyone's fault but your own and regardless of your boyfriend or whoever it was you had sex with, it is your responsibility to protect your body. Having unprotected sex not only can cause pregnancy, but can cause sexually transmitted diseases for everyone you sexually come in contact with.

If you are unaware of how you become pregnant, talk to someone who will talk to you, or go to StayTeen.org for many different resources that you will benefit from. Bringing a child into this world is an amazing accomplishment in one's life, I do agree with that. However if you yourself are a child bringing a child into this world without the means to protect him/her, then chances are you should have waited and been more responsible.

"It's way too early to know if this is the start of a new trend, " said Stephanie Ventura, head of the Reproductive Statistics Branch at CDC. "But given the long-term progress we've witnessed, this change is notable. "

SOURCE: Teen Birth Rate Rises for First Time in 14 Years
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r071205.htm

SOURCE: Stay Teen - How To Avoid Teen Pregnancy
http://www.stayteen.org