Teen 24: Being a teenage mum

Teenagers have been given the chance to talk about issues affecting them in a series of special reports on BBC News 24.

One in 10 babies born in England is now born to a teenage mother, according to the Department of Health.

Emily, 18, from Milton Keynes, became pregnant at the age of 16.

This is her story.

EMILY, AGE 18

There are often misconceptions about pregnancy, says Emily Read your comments

I was 16 when I found out I was pregnant.

I was really shocked and didn't know what I would do.

The thing that I was most worried about was what my family would say. But once they found out they were really supportive.

Being pregnant is really hard work and it really annoys me when people complain about young mothers.

There is often a misconception about pregnancy.

People think that maybe it's glamorous and the 'in thing' to do. But it's really hard. You can't do all the same things as your friends and you have no time to yourself.

I never felt pressured into having sex. But there wasn't a huge amount of sex education in my school.

I get really annoyed when I hear adults complaining about young mothers.

TEENAGE MUM FACTS One in 10 babies born in England is to a teenage mother. (Source: Department of Health) The UK has the highest rates of births from teenage mothers in Western Europe (Source: Brook Clinic) Infant mortality rates for babies born to mothers under the age of 18 are twice the average (Source: Department of Health) Girls from the poorest backgrounds are 10 times more likely to become teenage mothers than girls from professional backgrounds(Source: Department of Health)

Every situation is different and I could be as good a mum as someone who is 30.

You do get looks from people sometimes but I just try to ignore them.

I don't really feel that I have missed out too much on my education. When Liam gets older I will be able to go back and do some training and get qualifications.

At the moment the main thing in my life is Liam and being a good mum to him.

However I enjoy doing volunteer work and hope to go into schools and colleges where I can talk to people about my experiences.

If you want to find out more about teenage pregnancy consult SureStart or Brook - young people's sexual health charity:

Brook - young people's sexual health charity

SureStart

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Follow the link below to read last week's stories:

Teen 24: Runaways and young athletes

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Your comments:

I was a teenage mother (I had just turned 17). Although it is very hard, I believe I did a good job. I am now nearly 30 and my son, who's nearly 13, is at grammar school and doing very well. His friends all thought I was his sister at parents evening recently!

I used to hate all the 'looks' and the 'you look too young to be a mum' comments. But now I have two other sons as well - one nine and the other six. I still get the 'you look too young' look but I take it as a compliment!

My husband and I love being with our children and are young enough to enjoy family activates with them. And the good thing is our teenage son isn't embarrassed at being seen with us because we don't look like his parents!
Donna Winter, Aylesbury, Bucks

My brother was 14 when his girlfriend gave birth. What a waste of teenage years. Mathew the child had hearing difficulties and has a hearing aid. Soon after the birth they split up and the mother did not let my brother see the baby. I have only seen him once. It must be hard for his mother because her mother can not help much as she is in a wheelchair.
Chris Overthrow, UK

I think the government should not complain about teenage pregnancy if they condone sex in teens. The legal limit is 16, so there should be a lot more sex ed and advertising to promote safe sex.
RJ, Glasgow

I had my first child at 31 years old. Emily and other mothers in similar situation seem to be missing a point when they say they could be as good mother as a 30-year old mum. The point is they claim benefits because they haven't completed their education or career. I'm not disputing that Emily is a good mother. But that doesn't make her, and other teenage mothers, as responsible as a 30-year-old mother who may be working full or part time and in a stable relationship - instead of relying on the welfare state.
Fiona Mitchell, London

Fiona - you are completely wrong. Responsibility is not about how many years you have under your belt. Being less qualified in education does not affect you as a mother in the slightest. My girlfriend has just turned 22 and she is not very well educated, but as a mother she is amazing. Oh and they claim benefits because they can't work. Why? Because they are looking after their children. Funny that.
Vilo, Bournemouth

What rubbish that all teenage mothers claim benefits and are therefore less responsible. I know several who went back to university and now work in professional jobs. The only benefit they claimed was child benefit and most parents claim that anyway. There are some that live on benefits but I doubt the number that do is more than the many "adults" who choose to live off the system. Besides, living on benefits with a child is no picnic.
Racheal, London

Sorry but the truth is that a significant proportion of unmarried mums get not just benefits but also pay no council tax and get free housing. In my road there are three young single mums each with more than one child. They not only get child benefit but live in houses which cost ordinary folk £350,000, subsidised by hard working people. Whether it's a picnic or not is not the issue. At the end of the day it is still sponging.
Stuart Richards, Guildford UK

Why should it be a school's responsibility to provide sex education? Don't parents and children discuss this kind of thing anymore? My parents put the fear of god into me about how hard pregnancy, birth and babies were. Their personal experiences frightened the life out of me and there was no way I was going to get myself in that situation as a teenager. I have to say I'm now in my 30s and only found the courage to have my first child a year ago - once my husband and I felt we could cope emotionally, physically and financially with such an enormous responsibility.
Charlie J, Surrey, UK

I am the product of a teenage pregnancy. My mother and father were fantastic. I am now 41 and have a child of my own aged 10. I am nowhere near as good a mother as my mum. She was cantered and grounded and fabulous. Age is not important. Being a good human being is.
Deborah, London, UK