Well I decided to have my son because Jarad and I at the time were supposed to be getting married anyways. But most of all because I loved my baby as soon as I knew he was developing inside me. He is the olny person that knows what my heart sounds like from the inside.

I didn't have an option. I had been kicked out of my mom's house (at just over 15) and I was living with my much older boyfriend. We lost our roommate and had no where to live. His parents let me stay in the extra bedroom at their house and when I got pregnant his parents said either we got married or I lived on the streets. I went to my mom and she said, "Sorry, Charlie, I guess its the streets for you." Remember, this was long before the internet and there wasn't anywhere I could go where anyone would say, "This is an option for you..." and tell me anything. Not only was I pressured into having a child by extremely religious future inlaws, I was forced to do the right thing and get married.

Wanna guess how long that marriage lasted? Wanna guess how long it took before he was beating me up and leaving me at home without food or money or a phone?

I have always wanted a child, but when I found out I was pregnant it was a different story. But when it came to thinking about abortion, I could never. And my mom had a really bad experience with adoption, so I couldn't see letting my kid possibly go through that. Then my mom's support, and her wanting to treat the baby as her own, I knew, despite my age, I can do this, it's my baby and I'll do anything for it. Unfortunately, not many peoples parents will support teen pregnancy.

I think girls need to be a lot smarter about waiting to have children. Honestly, I would never have unprotected sex ( two Forms of bc) with any guy. Not only did I want to see my dreams come true but I wanted to make a mature and responsile descion with a loving partner about when we would have children. But I also wouldn't risk exposing my body to anything the guy may have picked up along the way. Falling in love is very easy...it's the staying in love that takes a lot of work and effort for both parties involved. It's smart to wait until your out of school altogether before thinking about children because once your a parent....it's all about the children there is no more me or I for a long, long time. And you want to be sure the man your with is willing and able to share that responibilty with you. and lets face it.......almost every teen guy isn't that man...they need to grow up a lot more to be that guy.

Now I'm not saying at all teen mothers are stupid in any way shape or form. I'm just saying be a little smarter in your life choices is all. I've seen girls have babies at 15-16 yrs old. I've seen how their "totally in love bf's" have run off scared and left them hanging. I've seen how much they struggle to take care of their babies full time and cope with school and all the issues that come with just being a teen. I seen some turn out to be fantastic mothers, working near to death to finish school to provide for those babies. I have also seen the ones who after the "new" wore off and they got tired of being at home all the time, not being able to go out on dates or hang with their friends or go to parties and do all those things teens do while turning into adults and pawning their babies off on their parents as if it's their respon. or dumping their babies on friends to go party or have their babies taken away from them.
You only grow up once, it's a shame to miss out on all the things involved with actually growing up when you've had to grow up before it's time. You'll never get that time back, You'll never get to do those things you wanted to do at that time.
Sure being a parent is a wonderful thing. But along with the ohhs and awws and the cuteness and love you have for them there is sacrifice,pain, regret, and feeling of loss at times. Being a parent is the hardest job ( 24/7, no pay) in the world you just really need to make sure your ready with someone who is there to go through it with you and be your safe haven, your support, your partner.

Thank-you so much for these wonderfully honest replies.

i kept my pregnancies because i couldnt cope with the thought of aborting them, i loved them from the moment i thought i might be pregnant, and with my second pregnancy (im 19) i found out a week after i left my abusive partner, so i knew id be doing it on my own. Its been hard though, and a shock both times because i was on contaception both times!

I got pregnant at age 17. I was a senior in highschool, and played on the highschool softball team. I also had a scholarship to play softball. Then, I found out I was pregnant. Everyone wanted me to get an abortion, but I don't think that is right. I ended up walking across the stage 9 months pregnant . Although, I have missed out on all my teenage and college fun, I would never change a thing. She is my world!! I am single and am doing just fine!!