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Coping with an unexpected teen pregnancy can be very stressful, whether it is you or your child who is having the baby. However, you are not alone. Teen pregnancy rates are the highest in the US - twice as high as Canada or here in the UK - and every year about one million teenagers become pregnant. Talking about the situation is one of the first things you should do.

You'll probably be scared and apprehensive, and unsure whether you should go through with the pregnancy. Speak to someone you trust about your situation and decide what is best for you. If you'd like more in depth information and advice you could visit the iVillage UK pages which cover help and support for teenage mums.

Ultimately the decision is yours however. If you are considering terminating the pregnancy you should make a decision as soon as possible. Although abortion is quite safe, the risks increase as the pregnancy progresses. If you choose to have the baby you must start looking after yourself by eating well, getting exercise and seeing your doctor regularly. If you can't afford to see a doctor there are lots of social service organizations that can help.

You also need to stop smoking and drinking completely and speak to your doctor before taking any medication - even aspirin. It's also good to make a plan for what you will do once the baby is born; will you keep the child or give it up for adoption? Again, speak to someone you can trust about this decision. You don't have to go through this difficult situation alone.

Being pregnant at a young age brings with it some special health considerations. High blood pressure and anaemia are more common in teen pregnancy and births to teenage mothers are often premature. You'll probably need to take supplements including folic acid, iron and calcium to ensure a healthy pregnancy and to avoid the possibility of any birth defects. You should also speak to your doctor about having sex during pregnancy. If you continue to have sex while pregnant it is really important to make your partner wear a condom to prevent catching a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Some STDs can cause serious problems such as blindness, meningitis or pneumonia in the baby.

Dealing with a teen pregnancy can be difficult. You'll be confused about your feelings, moody because of the changes in the hormones in your body, self-conscious about your changing body shape and worried about life after the baby is born. Don't try to face it all alone, speak to family, friends or an independent counselor and share the burden.

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