A question ended up on our Dear Annabelle Facebook Wall. Below is an abridged version, if you want to read the entire question (and my response), go to our Facebook page. After reading this question, a column was necessary.
So I met this guy at a party and for a month we’ve been having unprotected sex. I took a pregnancy test and I’m pregnant. I’m 18 years old. Is it possible to get pregnant from having sex five times in one month?
Since I answered this question on our Facebook page, I’m not going to answer it here. I find it appalling that an 18 year old in America doesn’t know how a woman becomes pregnant. Abstinence education does a grave disservice to kids in our country and I am embarrassed that there are states that teach only it.
What happens when you mix religion and politics? You have an 18 year old girl who doesn’t even know how to get pregnant! Shame on you George Bush and every other politician who thinks abstinence only education will stop kids from having sex. If the teen pregnancy rates in Bush’s Texas (up 7% while the national average is down) are any indication – IT DOESN’T WORK!
Ok, I’m off my pedestal. Now for the real reason for this column. If you’re in a school that teaches abstinence only education only have not learned how to get pregnant, I am going to tell you how it works.
How A Woman Becomes Pregnant:
A women becomes pregnant when a man’s sperm fertilizes a woman’s egg. This can happen when a man ejaculates in a woman vagina. It can also happen when the man ejaculates anywhere on the vagina or if a man pre-ejaculates (which is VERY common) during sex so “pulling-out” is not an adequate form of birth control. It can happen your very first time, in any position, at any time of day.
Here is a very funny video from Planned Parenthood with more information if you want more information.
How do you prevent getting pregnant? BIRTH CONTROL!
Condoms:
A condom catches the man’s semen to prevent it from entering the vagina. Always make your partner wear a condom (the entire time) not only to protect against pregnancy but STD’s as well. Condoms will not guarantee you don’t get pregnant. They can break and are not 100% effective.
The Pill:
The pill stops your body from releasing an egg. There are many different types of pills and you need to talk to a health care provider to figure out what is your best option. Like condoms, the pill isn’t 100% effective.
IUD:
An IUD is placed within the uterine wall to disrupt the lining so an egg cannot attach. An IUD is one of the most effective forms of birth control but also comes with risks so talk to a health care provider about it.
There are many different forms of birth control and you need to figure out which is best for you. Here is a link to Planned Parenthood’s site that lists all of your birth control options.
If you are under 18 and have no one to talk to, call your local Planned Parenthood and they will help you. Right Wing Politicians and Religious Zealots have grossly misrepresented Planned Parenthood which is a health care organization providing affordable care anyone regardless of circumstance. While they do perform abortions, that is not their main goal. They can help you obtain proper birth control privately without contacting your parents, school or anyone else.
