Aa
SoonToBeMother
I'm 16 years old, I'm anemic. and i just found out i was pregnant. what are ALL of the do's and dont's? I'm very scared that me being anemic is more risky of losing the baby. and for me abortion is not an option. i know that being 16 and pregnant isn't the mature thing, but i really do need help. please and thank you.
-nanacabana
-nanacabana
For anemia you will probably be given iron supplements and encouraged to eat more iron-rich foods.
As for what to avoid - you should avoid shellfish and minimize how much tuna you eat (no more than 6 ounces a week is the current recommendation), drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, undercooked meats, unpasteurized meat and dairy food.
As for what you can do - exercise is great while pregnant but LOW IMPACT exercise (like walking, swimming, etc.), lots of water, take a prenatal vitamin (you can buy these at the vitamin section in Walmart). Stay in school and continue your education (you can do courses online if you get to a point where you need to be home with a newborn). And you CAN work while pregnant; I've known many, many women who've worked while pregnant. Lots of rest is also crucial so get to bed early. I also take a Folic Acid (vitamin) during my pregnancies to help prevent neural tube defects in baby.
I commend you for not aborting your baby! What a great young momma you are being already by thinking of how you can have a healthy pregnancy for your baby. While you are young many young mothers (including my own mom who got pregnant at 16) have done it. You'll be fine!
As for what to avoid - you should avoid shellfish and minimize how much tuna you eat (no more than 6 ounces a week is the current recommendation), drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, undercooked meats, unpasteurized meat and dairy food.
As for what you can do - exercise is great while pregnant but LOW IMPACT exercise (like walking, swimming, etc.), lots of water, take a prenatal vitamin (you can buy these at the vitamin section in Walmart). Stay in school and continue your education (you can do courses online if you get to a point where you need to be home with a newborn). And you CAN work while pregnant; I've known many, many women who've worked while pregnant. Lots of rest is also crucial so get to bed early. I also take a Folic Acid (vitamin) during my pregnancies to help prevent neural tube defects in baby.
I commend you for not aborting your baby! What a great young momma you are being already by thinking of how you can have a healthy pregnancy for your baby. While you are young many young mothers (including my own mom who got pregnant at 16) have done it. You'll be fine!
Im just going to throw this out there as a little reminder for some people but this community and forum are meant to be helpful and non judge mental or rude and it isnt for one person to make another feel bad and tell them what to do but to help them and offer helpful and caring advice
Ok for one, i'm going to start this by saying you don't need a "man"...I had my daughter when I was 16 like many 16 year old mothers the father didn't stick around, don't ever let that get you down.As long as you have a great support system from family and friends that's what matters...
first and for most definitely don't quit school, I made that mistake it's not that easy. Now almost 3children later it's alot harder to focus on going to school.(not here to preach like it seems some are) Just here to offer advice from one young mom to another...I am studying for my GED as we speek and there is NOTHING wrong with getting it, don't let people try and tell you other wise!
two your probably not going to get a job, sorry that's reality not alot of places are going to hire you being pregnant...But if by chance you can get something part time, then great make sure it's not demanding tho...and a car? I think the least of your worry is getting a car, take the bus if you have to, or i'm sure if you have your licence you could use a family members, saving up for a car and insurance is not reality AT ALL by any means not when you have a baby on the way....There are other ways around it when you don't have a car, I have managed just fine getting around pregnant with two toddlers while my husband is at work with no car...
It's not going to be easy, but i'm sure if you put your mind to it you will be just fine, I was 17 when I had my daughter who is going to be 5 in a month, it was never easy but I got by.And even if the father doesn't stay don't give up hope, I have been with the father of my two boys for 4years and he takes my daughter as his own...Keep your head up and remember there are going to be days where it's hard, but the best is always to come...Good Luck and if you ever need to chat to someone who clearly isn't going to preach as i'm sure your PARENTS probably already have...Feel free to send me a message...Good Luck :):)
first and for most definitely don't quit school, I made that mistake it's not that easy. Now almost 3children later it's alot harder to focus on going to school.(not here to preach like it seems some are) Just here to offer advice from one young mom to another...I am studying for my GED as we speek and there is NOTHING wrong with getting it, don't let people try and tell you other wise!
two your probably not going to get a job, sorry that's reality not alot of places are going to hire you being pregnant...But if by chance you can get something part time, then great make sure it's not demanding tho...and a car? I think the least of your worry is getting a car, take the bus if you have to, or i'm sure if you have your licence you could use a family members, saving up for a car and insurance is not reality AT ALL by any means not when you have a baby on the way....There are other ways around it when you don't have a car, I have managed just fine getting around pregnant with two toddlers while my husband is at work with no car...
It's not going to be easy, but i'm sure if you put your mind to it you will be just fine, I was 17 when I had my daughter who is going to be 5 in a month, it was never easy but I got by.And even if the father doesn't stay don't give up hope, I have been with the father of my two boys for 4years and he takes my daughter as his own...Keep your head up and remember there are going to be days where it's hard, but the best is always to come...Good Luck and if you ever need to chat to someone who clearly isn't going to preach as i'm sure your PARENTS probably already have...Feel free to send me a message...Good Luck :):)
You don't need "ur man" to support u all the way.. Although it's a plus.. But reality check he is gonna bounce he will not b there for u at all even if he says he will.. If he does it's a miracle! But u do need support especially from family and ur friends!!
Ok so u have 9 months to get ur priorities straight!!
#1 Do NOT quit school.. U need to finish school all the way. Talk to ur principle and counselor to help u figure out a plan for when baby comes to do so. Trust me u need ur education!
#2 get a JOB if you don't have one already.. Something not to difficult.. But it will b hard to do being so young.. Talk to your church or if ur not a member of one talk to just a local church and see if they can help u find a JOB!
#3 you need to have a car so the time that u r working ur part time job u need to save money to buy a car unless u already have one then that's perfect.. Just keep what u got.. Otherwise save money and get one u can ask for help on this too.
#4 if you don't have insurance u need it! I'm not sure where ur from but here in the USA u can sign up for Medicaid.. So figure out what it is you have where u live and figure a way to have prenatal insurance.
#5 you need to find a OB or Midwife to take care of your prenatal needs..
Now back to reality again.. This willl NOT b easy for u.. It's gonna b a JOB itself I was 17 and prego and I had a lot of support from my family and it was still hard And I wish I recieved the advice I just gave u!! Especially on school u really need to finish high school having ur GED is not the same.. U miss out on a lot socially that I totally regret!! So if u have any more questions feel free to inbox me! I hope the best for u.. Good luck!
Ok so u have 9 months to get ur priorities straight!!
#1 Do NOT quit school.. U need to finish school all the way. Talk to ur principle and counselor to help u figure out a plan for when baby comes to do so. Trust me u need ur education!
#2 get a JOB if you don't have one already.. Something not to difficult.. But it will b hard to do being so young.. Talk to your church or if ur not a member of one talk to just a local church and see if they can help u find a JOB!
#3 you need to have a car so the time that u r working ur part time job u need to save money to buy a car unless u already have one then that's perfect.. Just keep what u got.. Otherwise save money and get one u can ask for help on this too.
#4 if you don't have insurance u need it! I'm not sure where ur from but here in the USA u can sign up for Medicaid.. So figure out what it is you have where u live and figure a way to have prenatal insurance.
#5 you need to find a OB or Midwife to take care of your prenatal needs..
Now back to reality again.. This willl NOT b easy for u.. It's gonna b a JOB itself I was 17 and prego and I had a lot of support from my family and it was still hard And I wish I recieved the advice I just gave u!! Especially on school u really need to finish high school having ur GED is not the same.. U miss out on a lot socially that I totally regret!! So if u have any more questions feel free to inbox me! I hope the best for u.. Good luck!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy Community
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.
