1.
By: Kathryn Waller
CIS 100

2.
Culture
Both positive and negative focus gets put on teen motherhood in America.
In most cultures, teen motherhood is portrayed as negative.
In America that idea of a teenage pregnant mother is looked down on
because of their “inability to nurture their child”.

3.
Negative facts D:

 It affects education - only a third of teen mothers
earn their high school diploma. And only 1.5% have
a college degree by age 30.
 About 750,000 teens get pregnant in the United
States each year. Nevada has the highest teen birth
rate; 113 out of every 1,000 teens will get pregnant.
 A sexually active teen who does not use
contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming
pregnant within a year.

4.
Positive Facts :D

 The negative aspects of teen pregnancy are certainly
numerous. A great deal of information is available
on the difficulties faced by teen mothers. It is
important to note that it is the motherhood aspect
that is difficult for teens as opposed to the actual
pregnancy. Age is only one consideration when a
pregnancy occurs. In fact, from a health perspective,
there are many positive things about teen pregnancy
that often go ignored.

5.
Positive Facts :D

 As long as a pregnant teen has regular quality
prenatal care, her age is rarely an issue in terms of
pregnancy.
 Teens are less likely to have pre-existing medical
conditions that increase the risk of pregnancy, and
subsequently they experience fewer complications
from the pregnancy and birth itself.
 Teens have more energy than older women and
there for rebound from postpartum symptoms
easier.

6.
My interviews

The three young women that I have
interviewed were all teen mothers.
All three have volunteered their
time to shine the light on teen
motherhood.
They will have their children with
them.

7.
The interview Questions

 1. How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
2. What did you think once you found out you were first
pregnant?
3. How did you tell your parents and significant other?
4. Did you ever consider of any alternatives of keeping your
child?
5. Describe the feeling you had when you went into labor.
6. When your child was born, what were you first thoughts and
emotions?
7. Why did you choose a hospital birth?
8. Describe your parenting style.
9. Tell us about your child now. (age, interests, etc)
10. If you could tell a teenager one thing about motherhood,
what would it be?
11. Do you regret becoming pregnant as a teenager?

8.
Lacey Kelley

 Lacey is an 18 year old teen mother of her son,
Xavier N. Turley.
 Xavier is 10 months old.
 Lacey proves that a teen mother can go to school and
raise her son.
 Lacey goes to college and raises her son with her
fiancé.
 Lacey was 17 and in high school when she found out
she was pregnant.
 Lacey, in my opinion, is a great mother. :]

9.
Lacey’s Interview :D



Seventeen going on eighteen.
-I was kind of blank about it all. I guess in a state of shock, I guess you could say? I'm pretty positive my boyfriend(Andrew)
was more emotional about it than I was. It eventually hit me right before I had my son though.
 -Well, my mom kind of figured I was because she was keeping track of my periods anyway. She's the one who bought the
two pregnancy tests revealing the answer to my 3 months of skipped periods.
 -No, not really. I mean, they crossed my mind, but not crossed my mind in any way of approval. My boyfriend and I were
both against abortion right off the bat. It wasn't for us. Then there was adoption, and I felt like I couldn't carry a growing,
living, breathing baby inside me for 9 months without getting attached. He was definitely ours.
 -Well, I went from dilated to 6 to 10 in the matter of minutes. They broke my water, and that's what got the ball rolling. After
that occurred a few nurses rushed in and told me I was going to have to start pushing. A million emotions raced through my
mind. I was nervous, scared, worried, and most importantly, anxious. I wanted so badly to see the boy I had grown inside
me for that long period of time.
 -Oh. My. Gosh. It was thee best feeling in the world. It was like falling in love over again times three. I just wanted to hold
him for hours, but from all the tears welled up in my eyes I could barely see the newest addition to my little family.
 -I thought of other options, but the hospital has the best environment for a newborn. You had nurses, and doctors'
surrounding you. People whom specialized in this sort of thing, and that had been doing it for years. They also taught the
mother and/or father how to properly care for the newborn as well. It's just a much safer place to be in case of emergency,
such as a c-section or the baby being born a preemie.
-I'm not too strict with my son. I do sterilized everything he eats or drinks from. I like to keep him healthy and clean. If he
gets sick I'm almost immediately worrying and rushing to the doctor. I mean, other than that I don't think I can really say
much. My son is only 9 months old. He can't walk or talk so I can't discipline him.
 -He is a growing, healthy, baby boy. He's 25lbs, 29inches, sitting, attempting crawling, says "ma'ma", has 4 teeth while 3
others are cutting through. He loves eating. Pears, and apples and blueberries are his favorite baby foods.
 -It's hard, really hard. You may think it's all fine and dandy just because you see your "teen mom" friend's post pictures on
facebook. Yes, motherhood has it's perks, but in all seriousness, it's a difficult task to accomplish. Especially if you're not
willing, determined, and have plenty of patience. You'll lose most or all of your so-called "friends". Everything's so different.
You've got to woman-up, and take responsibility for you and your son and/or daughter.
 -No, actually. I do think I could've waited, but things happen. I can't change the past. Accept everything, and move on. My
son has also made me realize so many things, and become a better person overall. I wouldn't give up my little chunky
monkey for the world. <3

10.
Gracie Wilson

Gracie is a 19 year old teen mother of her
daughter, Kaidence Lucas.
Kaidence is 2 and 12 years old.
Gracie is a stay at home mother.
Gracie and her fiancé, Aaron, raise Kaidence
together.
Gracie, in my opinion, is a fabulous mother.
:D

11.
Gracie’s Interview :D
 I was sixteen when Aaron and I found out.
2. I wasn't afraid because Aaron and I had talked about what would happen if I got pregnant before.

3. I just told Aaron that I didn't have my period and I told my grandma through a note and she took it
upon herself to tell the whole family. Aaron's mom knew I was pregnant by the way I walked before we
came out and told her.
4. Not once. Aaron and I were so excited about having a child that there were no other options for us.
5. I was induced so I knew what to expect. It first started out as little cramps and I was like "Hm, this isn't
bad at all".. Lol. A hour later, I was getting the damn epidural. It went smooth though. I was only in full
labor for 5 or so hours and after two pushes, Kaidence was born.
6. My first thought was (excuse my language) "Holy shit, I have a baby now." God, best feeling ever.
7. I had no choice. I had a high-risk pregnancy because of my age and I had pre-eclampysia. (I totally
misspelled that)
8. We're all about love and compassion. Kaidence does get discipline whether it be with getting something
taken away for a day or if she continues, she does get whipped. (No, I don't abuse her. She gets a little
smack on the butt.)
9. Well, she is 2 1/2 now. She adores the Disney Princesses and loves World of Warcraft and any other
computer/video game there is. She loves to draw and write. She loves puzzles and asking every question
under the sun. Lol.
10. It's hard. SO freaking hard. If you're thinking about getting pregnant, please wait until you graduate
high school. It's not easy and I (unfortunately) could not continue school. I dropped out my senior year.
At times I do regret dropping out, but it was best for our family at the time and my daughter needed me
greatly. It's so rewarding. They absorb so much stuff, it's crazy. It takes a lot of patience and love.
11. I don't regret it at all. Sure, what happened may not have been ideal to some people, but if I could go
back and do it again, I would. Kaidence and I are definitely blessed because her father stuck around and is
still here to this day. It's actually our 4 year anniversary tomorrow (10/6). We have our own house and
everything finally fell into place. We are definitely one of the lucky ones <3

12.
Hali Brescoach

Hali is a 19 year old teen mother of her
son, Dustin R. Brescoach.
Dustin is 1 year old.
Hali and her husband, Robby, raise
Dustin.
Hali is a stay at home mother.
Hali, in my opinion, is a wonderful
mother. :]

13.
Hali’s interview

 I was 18 when I found out
The only thing I thought was oh no my mom is going to kill me
Robby was with me when we found out and I texted it to my mom
And I knew I was going to keep my baby it didn’t even slip my mind to do
anything else
I got induced so I knew it was coming . But I was scared
When he came out and they laid him on me I just looked at him and just
thought wow this is how much my mom must have loved me
I wanted to have him in the hospital because I wanted the epidural
I try to be the best mother and spoil him without him know he’s spoiled so
he wont be a brat .I'm not much of a smacker I like to get eye to eye with him
and show him what he’s done wrong and the right thing to do
Dustin is so smart he talks so good for a 14 month old . He loves to play
outside he loves to play with cars and trucks
I would tell another teen mom it is very hard to go to school with a baby but
you play u pay so u got to step up and be an adult and stick up for your
family
No I don’t I love that I’m a teen mom it just means I have more time with my
boy :)

14.
The Business of Being
Born


15.
Truth

Women, for thousands of years, have
gave birth on their own or with
midwifes.
Hospitals, today, have convinced
American women that they don’t know
how to birth.
Ladies! We are capable to birthing in
most cases!

16.
Medicines

Almost all mothers that go into a hospital to
have their child are put on medicines to
induce contractions, make labor go faster,
ease pain, etc.
Little do most know, these medicines that the
doctors put you one can have serious side
effects on your newborn during its life.

17.
Some side effects of
those medicines.

 Pitocin(used to induce labor)-can cause jaundice,
retinal hemorrhage, permanent central nervous
system or brain damage or even death.
 Opiates(pain relievers)-Central nervous system
depression, Respiratory depression, Impaired early
breast feeding, Altered neurological behavior,
Decreased ability to regulate body temperature
 Ritodrine Hydrochloride(stop preterm labor)-can
cause hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome,
or even in some cases death.

18.
My opinion

Teen mothers can be just as good, if not better
than, older mothers.
As the saying says, “Age is just a number.”
If a teen is determined she can be a GREAT
mother.
People shouldn’t look down on teen mothers.
I know several teen mothers and they are
fantastic mothers; better than some older
mothers I know.

19.
Thank you!

I’d like to thank Professor Cullum for
allowing me to present this in class.
I’d also like to thank Hali Brescoach,
Lacey Kelley, and Gracie Wilson for
giving me their time and for allowing
me to interview them.

20.
Copyright and
Biblography information

“The Business of Being Born” was directed
by Abby Epstein in 2008. All rights Reserved.
Medicine information from What to Expect
When You’re Expecting. Written by Heidi
Murkoff. Publishes in April of 2008 by
Workman Pub Co.
Interviews done on Lacey Kelley, Gracie
Wilson, and Hali Brescoach.