CONTRACEPTION

You can make a conscious choice as to whether you are ready to bring a child into the world.

It is not wise to do this if you are still in your teenage years.

Parenting is a long-term commitment and an enormous responsibility – many adults are unprepared for this. Many say that if they had any idea about what child rearing involved they would not have had children. For others having a child is the best thing they ever did.

Make responsible choices around your fertility to avoid unplanned pregnancy.

Find a method of birth control/contraception that suits you before becoming sexually active.

Educate yourself before choosing any one method – read books, check out the Internet. It is also advisable to see a health care practitioner.

If you are petting – kissing, touching, fondling and there is no contact of penis with vagina, the female cannot become pregnant. If there is penis to vagina contact, live sperm in the male’s fluids can be transferred and a female can become pregnant, even if he doesn’t come (ejaculate) and even without full erection or penetration.

You may be uncomfortable talking about contraceptive methods with your partner. He or she may be unwilling to take precautions. If this is the case why are you choosing to be sexually active and running the risk of unwanted pregnancy?

By taking responsibility together for contraception you can create a strong bond and closeness with your partner.

It can bring confidence and safety into your relationship.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY …

for your own fertility. Do this even if your partner is willing to take care of his or hers.

Janine decided that she was ready to become sexually active when she was seventeen. She also made a decision that she would not make love with any man that she would not be willing to have a child with if this accidentally happened. It took her three years to find such a man. That is taking full and conscious responsibility for her fertility!

Be conscious about your fertility as a young woman and take responsibility for your sperm as a young man.

If it is challenging for you to get to a doctor or clinic because you: live in a remote area, prefer that no one knows, are embarrassed or uncomfortable, have other personal reasons, are having underage sex (which is against the law), then look in your local library for books or on the Internet for Websites on Birth Control/Contraception. You may know a nurse, an aunt or uncle, a school counsellor or someone nearby who you can trust – ask for information. Make sure you are fully informed.

It is cool to be in charge of your body and uncool to become pregnant or get someone else pregnant when you are not ready. Take care of yourself... Sexual intercourse is Natur e’s way of making babies.

Read more about teen contraception from Amritas Book page 161 "Getting Real" by clicking on the icon right.

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