Mom, Im pregnant!

: Psychological experiences of
Selected Mothers in parenting their
Pregnant teenage daughter
Paulito V. Hilario, M.A.
Eva A. Castronuevo, M.S.
Ma.Isabel P. Velayo
San Beda College, Alabang
Abstract
Parenting teenagers has often been described by modern society as difficult and filled with a lot of challenges.
Dealing with a pregnant teenager does not make it any easier. Mothers simultaneously confront psychological issues
within and with their daughter in coping with the transitions of their childs untimely entrance to parenthood.
This research explored the unique experiences of selected mothers (n=3) in Southern Manila by the qualitative
analysis of their experiences in dealing with the pregnancy of their teenage daughter. The research employed the
pakikipagkwentuhan as specific source of gathering data through an in-depth interview session. Implications for
adolescent counseling, interventions in preventing teenage pregnancy and parenting are discussed.
The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. -Honore' de
Balzac
Teenage pregnancy in the Philippinesis increasingly becoming a major cause of concern. There is a rising trend of
young women becoming mothers and majority of whom are unmarried. Young pregnant women are more vulnerable to
death during pregnancy while childbirth and a huge number are not physically and emotionally prepared for motherhood.
This is a direct reflection that there is inadequate and inaccurate information on adolescent pregnancy and not enough
priority is given to maternal and child health care. (The Fair and Fearless Freeman: Teenage Pregnancy, a rising trend
among young women, 2005)

If pregnancy occurs, teenagers and their families deserve honest and sensitive counseling about options available
to them, from abortion to adoption. Special support systems, including consultation with a child and adolescent
psychiatrist when needed, should be available to help the teenager throughout the pregnancy, the birth, and the decision
about whether to keep the infant or give it up for adoption. There may be times when the pregnant teenager's emotional
reactions and mental state will require referral to a qualified mental health professional (American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry: When Children Have Children, 2004).
The ability to talk openly about problems is one of the most important aspects of the parent and child
relationship. Developing this relationship and open communication takes time, persistence, and understanding. The
relationship develops gradually by spending time with the child. Meal times, storytelling, reading, playing games, outings,
vacations, and celebrations are important opportunities for parents to spend time with their child. Parents should also try
to spend some individual time with each child, particularly when talking about difficult or upsetting things. This
relationship creates the foundation for talking with the child when struggles and conflicts emerge during adolescence
(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Parenting: Preparing for Adolescence, 2001)
Whatever feelings you're experiencing, this is likely to be a difficult time for your family. The important thing to
realize is that your teen needs you now more than ever. Being able to communicate with each other - especially when
emotions are running high - is essential. Teens who are carrying a baby to term have special health concerns, and your
child will have a healthier pregnancy - emotionally and physically - if she knows she doesn't have to go it alone (Homeier,
2005).

While this fact isnt fully discuss yet, the researcher would attempt to illustrate more of the psychological effects
of early pregnancy on teenagers mother aged 38 56 from the City of Las Pias. The main objective of the study is to
consider the mental and emotional behavior of the parents all through out the pregnancy of the teenager. It is to include
the details like what are the mothers initial reactions upon knowing, the actions they went through, how this situation
affected the whole family, and the emotional and mental effects they have gone throughout the pregnancy.
Review of Related Literature and Studies
Teenage Pregnancy comprises a series of crisis, trials and action. This review of research evidence was arranged
from the teen sexual activity, teen pregnancy, role of mothers, and family problem.

Teen Sexual Activity

According to Guttmacher (1999), the likelihood of teenagers' having intercourse increases with age; however,
about 1 in 5 young people do not have intercourse while teenagers.
Based on Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (2004), a number of young adults also experienced
reproductive health problems and symptoms. Nineteen percent of young females said they have experienced painful
urination while 6% have had abnormal vaginal discharges. Three percent of males said they have had penile discharges,
23% have had painful urination, and 3% have had warts or ulcers in their penis.
Raymundo and Lusterio (1995) found 18 percent of the youth (26% of the boys and 10% of the girls) all over the
country have had pre]-marital sex experience.
Derived from Alan Guttmacher Institute," Sex and America's Teenagers (1994), More than half of 17-year-olds
have had intercourse. Most young people begin having sex in their mid-to-late teens, about 8 years before they marry.
As said by Moore KA et al. (1998), while 93% of teenage women report that their first intercourse was voluntary,
one-quarter of these young women report that it was unwanted.
Teen Pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy itself is perceived by our society as a deviation from normal. It has been placed alongside
drug abuse and crime on Government initiative agendas (Mowlam, 2000; Gilham, 1997).
As stated by (Baker, 1999) this overt pathologisation reinforces a culture of disapproval of teenage pregnancy;
having babies when you are young is seen as a bad thing
In line with Guttmacher, Teen Sex Overview: Teen Pregnancy (1999), Each year, almost 1 million teenage
women--10% of all women aged 15-19 and 19% of those who have had sexual intercourse--become pregnant.
According to Henshaw, S.K. (1998),data from the mid-1990s indicate that 43 percent of pregnancies to teens
aged 15-19 ended in unintended births and another 35 percent ended in abortions.
Maynard, R. (Ed.) (1997) said, mothers who do have a teen birth are more disadvantaged, on average, than are
other teens and have children who face negative health, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes.
Teenage pregnancy is also linked with low educational achievement, non-participation in education, training or
employment, sexual abuse, mental health problems and crime (Social Exclusion Unit, 1999).
Role of Mothers
Parents are given little advice on how to talk with their children about sex and school-based sex education is
patchy and often under-developed and inconsistent. As a result there is a considerable amount of misinformation and
ignorance among youths about sex, and how to cope with puberty and adolescence (Social Exclusion Unit, 1999).
According to Homeier, M.D (2005), whatever feelings youre experiencing; this is likely to be a difficult time for your

family. The important thing to realize your teen needs you now more than ever. Being able to communicate with each
other especially when emotions are running high is essential. Based onChildren's Defense Fund (1996), that is, the
challenges of adolescence derive from the fact that youth today are both in need of parenting that promotes their
positive development and, at the same time, historically unprecedented numbers of adolescents are themselves
becoming parents and, typically, unmarried parents.
Family Problem
The degree to which these families and their childrenare able to manage such stressors is likely to affect
theirlevel of adjustment according to Kazak, Segal-Andrews, & Johnson (1995). Based on Melamed (1991) Families with
childrenwho have chronic illnesses or physical disabilities face multipleburdens due to frequent hospitalizations, financial
strain,time-consuming medical regimens, and other stressors. McGreW (1991) stated, the teenagers' parents are often
thrust into the role of raising two children--the teenager and his or her child. Further, they find themselves stressed
emotionally and economically at a time when they were looking forward to their children becoming self-sufficient.
Fig.1. HILL'S ABCX MODEL OF FAMILY STRESS

PROTECTIVE FACTOR ( Social Relationship)

(B) Attachment, positive family bonds, effective communication, social relationships

FAMILY STRESSOR

FAMILY CRISIS

A) Depression, arguments,
never have time to relax,
seldom talk about the feelings,
stress at work, stress at school,
trivialize, single parent, teenage
pregnancy

(X) domestic violence,

substance abuse (relapses),
illness from weakened immune
system, accidents, death

PROTECTIVE FACTOR ( Perception)

(C) cognitions and attitudes between
hope and personal effectiveness
The two protective factors helps to buffer the family from acute stressor and diminish the relationship between
vs.are
despair,
stressors and family crisis. Social relationships
furtherhelplessness
distinguished as being within family variables, e.g. attachment,
positive family bonds, effective communication, as well as across family variables: i.e. social isolation vs. informal and
formal social support networks; Perceptions (C Factor) include the range in cognitions and attitudes between hope and
personal effectiveness vs. despair, and helplessness. These two complex factors relate together with the acute stressors
and ongoing social context of chronic stressors, to predict family crises.
Conceptual Framework
Teen pregnancy has become known to be one of the most serious social problems in the whole world. The
youths today is at high risk of becoming an early and immature parent who are expose to a malevolent behaviors. This
issue is a severe family stressor that may quickly lead to a family crisis. The researcher should study the psychological
effects it brings about to the parents.
This conceptual paradigm illustrates the factors affecting teen pregnancy and the psychological effects of this
concern the parents.

Individuals who experience too many stressors at one time, i.e., too many changes in their daily routines and
circumstances, are at increased risk within one year for having an accident, for becoming physically ill (Ell, 1984), for
having an impaired immune system, for becoming violent, or for relapsing (Pianta, Egeland and Sroufe, 1990; Rutter,
1983). An acute family stressor may come quickly to a family crisis. These family crises include domestic violence,
substance abuse, and illness from weakened immune systems, divorce, accidents, and children being abused or
neglected.
Hills theoretical constructs include the protective factors to survive multiple contextual stressors and to
continue to proficiently parent despite chronic and acute stressors. The two protective factors include the social
relationships, which distinguished as being with in the family variables like attachment, positive family bonds, effective
communication and the social isolation vs. informal and formal social support networks.
The other factor is the perception in which it ranges in the cognitions and attitudes between hope and personal
effectiveness vs. despair and helplessness. These two complex variables were theorized to buffer the family from acute
stressors and reduce the direct correlation between multiple stressors and family crisis.
Research studies have since offered support for Hill and McCubbin's theoretical constructs. The combination of
high stress with social isolation (the "B" variable) for families has been highly correlated with many forms of dysfunctional
family outcomes (Garbarino and Abramowitz, 1982; Belle, 1980; Cyrnic, Greenberg, Robinson and Ragozin, 1984; Egeland,
Breitenbucher and Rosenberg, 1980; Ell, 1984; Lindblad-Goldberg, 1987; Marks and McLanahan, 1993; Simons, Beaman,
Conger and Chao, 1993; Tracy, 1990; Wahler, 1983). The B variable that is social relationships must be important
especially for an individual who are undergoing stress. Social isolation means the increase in the impact of multiple
stresses of family functioning.
If a family experiences multiple stressors AND 1) they are socially isolated and emotionally disconnected to one
another, AND 2) they are depressed, hopeless, and disempowered, THEN they will be at increased risk for illness,
accidents, child abuse and neglect, and substance abuse, delinquency and school failure (Attneave, 1986; Belle, 1980).
The content of the concept explains that an individual who are in high pressure and anxiety and do not find positive
relationship with his family are at increased risk for experiencing aggravated family crisis.
Some families had positive appraisals towards the problem, which increase their ability to accept their
circumstances. A family that shares perception about the stressor may prevent them from opposing a family crisis. They
should have positive set of cognitions, empowered attitudes and active informal and formal support network. In this way,
there would be a reduction in a stressful life experiences.
Since the world today is a place of evil temptations, the families of high-risk youth must identify, understand and
strengthen family protective factors. There must be a positive social connections and empowered outlook. In addition,
the family together with the youth should survive the multiple chronic and acute stressed of poverty and neighborhood
disorganization over time to reduce their drug dependency and associated crime.
Positive bonds and social relationships (B Factor) are directly promoted on six distinct levels of the child's social
ecology (Bronfenbrenner; Garbarino). This idea refers to the child-to-parent bond, family units bonds, parent-to-parent
bond, parent-to-self-help group bond, parent affiliation to school and parent linkages to community.
Interactive activities within the family, like eating meals together, attending mass every Sunday, vacations,
playing game board, watching movies etc. would decrease the influence of family stress on the family functioning.
Method
This study was fundamentally descriptive, as the purpose was to gather information about current situation of
the mothers undergoing family stress. It involved collection of data and answering the questions to find out different
psychological effects of teenage pregnancy to mothers. This research intended to give the accurate description by means
of personal interviews to the respondents.
Research Participants

The respondents in this study were three (3) mothers aged 38 56 of the pregnant teenagers from 13 19 years
of Las Pias City. Respondents were interviewed individually with the use of tape recorder to file the answers of the
parents to the interviewer.
The researcher used a purposive sampling by picking out respondents particularly the parents of teenagers who
got pregnant. The desirable sample size was according to the availability of the sampling method of the study.
The researcher respected the respondents request for confidentiality of the details given.
Research Instruments
The researcher collected all the needed facts and information required in the study. The researcher focused on
the interview with a self-constructed guide questions to be able to maintain unity to all the participants involved.
The interview method was used in gathering data; it included the demographic profile of the respondents, their
initial reactions upon learning the situation, the actions they made after knowing and its psychological effects on them.
This was administered to the 3 impartially selected participants.
Procedure
The researcher indicated a specific research device that corresponded to the needs of the study. The devices
purpose was to have guide questions for the interview which identified the psychological effects of teenage pregnancy on
mothers. The researcher personally went to the respondents house and conducted a free-flowing conversation where
privacy and confidentiality of the interview was strictly observed. The researcher used a tape recorder for the purpose of
consistent filing of the respondents answer with proper consent from them.
Data Analysis
The answers of the three (3) respondents were compared in accordance to their common replies in terms of
mental and emotional elements of the parents. It was also associated with the protective factors that buffer family stress
and to survive from multiple related stressors.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Demographic Profile
Case # 1: Mrs. A
Age: 46
Religion: Catholic
Occupation: Government Employee
Civil Status: Married
Daughters age when she got pregnant: 18
Case # 2: Mrs. B
Age: 56
Religion: Christian
Occupation: Homemaker
Civil Status: Married

Daughters age when she got pregnant: 17

Case #3: Mrs. C

Age: 38
Religion: Catholic
Occupation: Homemaker
Civil Status: Married
Daughters age when she got pregnant: 17
Psychological Effects of Teenage Pregnancy on Mothers
Professor Reuben Hills theoretical constructs included the protective factor to survive multiple contextual
stressors and to continue to proficiently parent despite chronic and acute stressors. The two protective factors included
the social relationships and the perception.
According to Reuben Hill (1983), social relationships were distinguished as being within the family variables;
examples are attachment, positive family bonds, effective communication as well as across family variables: that is the
social isolation versus informal and formal social support networks. Perceptions in contrast, included the range in
cognitions and attitudes between hope and personal effectiveness versus despair, and helplessness.
Mrs. A remembered she had the mother instinct that somethings wrong with her daughter;
Napapansinkonalagisiyangmalungkot at lagingmagaangmata (I have observed that she was always sad and have
bloated eyes).
Her intuition became stronger when she found out a Sytotec in her daughters room. This was the time she
already confronted her daughter and asked if shes pregnant. Hindi akonagalitsaanakko, nagalitakosanangyarisakanya(
I did not get angry to my daughter, I was angry for what happened to her), exclaimed Mrs. A. However, she was very
down and disappointed with what happened to her daughter, since she gave her everything she wants; Ni
hindisiyasakinnakatikim ng sampal o ano (I never get aggressive nor physical with her). In the course of the interview, I
saw and felt how low Mrs. A was during those times.
In spite of how sad Mrs. A was, she accepted the situation and showed her concern. Kung may baby
natalagayan, kelangannaniya ng medical attention para maalagaansiya at hindinamansiyalumabasna kung ano (If
youre already carrying a baby, you should receive medical attention to make sure the baby will be given special medical
treatment).
She also explained to her daughter that she may hear negative things from other people,
Maramikangmaririnignasabi-sabi ng mgatao, ng mgakapitbahay, huwagmoisipinyun, angimportanteandito kame
salikodmo, at alagaanmo yang asatiyanmo, dahilmagka-diperensiyayanproblema pa rinnatinlahatyan (You may hear a
lot of things and comments from other people, you should not be bothered, whats important, were hear to support you
and you must take care of your baby inside your tummy).
Another thing that concerned Mrs. A was the fear that her daughter may not be able to finish her studies. Yet
this fear was gone when she saw her daughter exerting effort in going to school every day though her stomach was
getting bigger; Na anonamanakosakanyadahilpumapasok pa siya, hindisiyanahiya, walasiyangni-reklamosakin ( I
appreciated her effort to continue her studies, she was not ashamed and she never complained anything).
Mrs. A evoked that she was sure not to allow her daughter to receive the sacrament of Matrimony.
Iniisipkokasipano kung hindisila mag-click, papaanona, anghiraphirapmagpa- annul ng marriage, tsakamagkakaroon ng
psychological effect, aksidenteyan at pareha pa silangbata (I imagine if they did not get along, its hard to have an
annulment and it may bring psychological effects on them, it was an accident and they were still very young) explained
Mrs. A.

In the flow of the interview, I know Mrs. A was still confused during that time yet she handled her emotions well
because she had the positive attitude and perception towards the problem. She also said that she knows how her
daughter feels since she also got pregnant outside marriage.
Like what Prof. Hill points out, Mrs. A obtained the two protective factors to reduce the correlation between the
stressor and family crisis. Mrs. A had a stronger bond with her daughter, they became closer, and she also talked to the
other family members especially the father.
She also mentioned that she doesnt care how others may react towards the incident because this would not
help her daughter. The way she accepted the fact, she did not get mad and took it as a lesson for the whole family.
Monthly naka monitor akosakanyang menstruation magbuhatnoongmagkaroonsiya (I monitor her
menstruation period ever since she had) as Mrs. B admits. This was the reason why she already had a doubt that her
daughter was pregnant when a month and a half passed without her period. Mrs. B brought her daughter to the hospital
and found out that it was positive. It saddened me, pero para magalithindi, kasialamkonanagsisinungalingnasiyabago
pa (It saddened me, but I did not get mad at her because I knew from the start that she was already lying), like with Mrs.
As initial reaction, Mrs. B felt disappointed.
Andyannayan, hindiakoangmagpapalaglagniyan, siguromaaaringpalaglagkoyan kung hindiakoKristyano (Its
already there, I will not be the one to abort that, I may only to do it if I am not a Christian) strongly stated by Mrs. B. It was
her new religion (Christian) that prevented Mrs. B in letting her daughter prevented an abortion. She reasoned out that
her daughter was still studying and was young for that responsibility.
As a brave woman, Mrs. B did not care on what their relatives and neighbors would comment them; Yung
mgakamag-anaknaminhindingamakapag-tanongdahilalamnilamatapangako at kaya ko. Walarin kami pakialamsamga
neighbors naminkasi their family is not perfect also! (Our relatives knew that I am a brave person so they did not even
ask anything about it. I also did not mind what our neighbors would say, because their family is not perfect also!)
Mrs. B worries about their future because her family is not well off; Yung budget naming maginasaktolangtaposetongayonbuntissiya, mahahati pa lalo para doonsa baby (Our money is just enough for us, since shes
already having a baby, we will budget it now.) Mrs. Bs first concern was their financial status although they know that
the boyfriend will cover everything.
She also believes that she was old enough to nurture another child; Kaya ngaisalanganganakkodahilayoko mag
alaga at matandanarinako para diyan (Thats why I only have one child because I dont like to take care, especially now I
am too old for that) She was concerned that she would look after the baby because her daughter is still studying and
definitely could not afford to get yaya.
In contrast with Mrs. A, she wanted her daughter to get married but since they are not yet at the right age, this
did not happen. She also confessed that it was heartbreaking to see her daughter having her own family so soon. While
Mrs. B continued sharing her stories and her sentiments, her eyes began to become watery
The attitude Mrs. B had, which pushed her to go on was her braveness to face the situation. Her positive outlook
in life, being supportive, her love to her daughter, and a stronger mother-daughter relationship helped them to cope with
the circumstances.
Same with Mrs. A, their perspective regarding criticisms was not far more important than anything else but
surviving the trial.
Compared to the two respondents, Mrs. C was really angry to her daughter when she found it out;
Sobrakasitalagaang trust kosakanya kaya hindikoakalainnamagigingganyansiya (I trusted her so much that I never
imagined that she will get pregnant). Same with Mrs. B, she also monitors her daughters monthly menstrual period.
When the time came that it was almost six months that her daughter was not having her period, she still did not had the
doubt because of so much trust. Until the time her daughter was complaining of stomach annoyance, they learned that
her teenage daughter is six months pregnant. Her initial reaction was anger, because she gave her full trust and this trust
was not valued. She confessed that she was irritated every time she sees her daughter because of extremely

disappointment and annoyance; Hanggangsananganaksiya, galittalagayungnaramdamanko (Until she gave birth, I was
mad at her).
Mrs. C was also young when she got pregnant, and believes that their small age gap between her daughter have
nothing to do with early pregnancy; Kahitmagkadugo pa kame, alamnamanniyayungginagawaniya (Even though we are
blood related, she knew what shes doing).
The same with Mrs. B, she was also concerned with their financial aspect. She worries about the future of her
daughter with the baby; if her daughter could pursue her studies and if she could handle the responsibilities of being a
mother. Although she knows that her daughter is as brave as she is, but being a mother at an early age is a very difficult
job.
During the interview, Mrs. C was obviously fighting over her feelings of sorrow. She seemed to be uncomfortable
to discuss what she has gone thru and was not serious enough since she keeps on laughing. One way or another she still
recalled her emotions throughout her daughters pregnancy.

Parangproblemalangnadapatbumangon (It was just another problem that we need to get up and have
strength) as what Mrs. C sees the situation.
It was not really a crisis, like what she said; hindinaman to yungparangbinagsakanka ng langit at lupa (This is
not like the end of the world). It was her hope that they will go through the problem and her support to her daughter that
helped them in surviving.
In relation to Hills theory, in spite of Mrs. Cs being irritable to her daughter, she still managed to talk and
supported her daughter in overcoming the instance. She knew it was just another problem in life that must conquer.
These things helped her to overcome the trial and prevent it from becoming a family crisis.
Conclusions
In these cases, protective factors are important to buffer the family stressor that may lead to a family crisis. All
the three respondents may have the feeling of disappointment and irritation but their hope and positive attitude made
them strong to pass through the circumstance. They all believed that in spite of their daughters mistakes, this is the time
they are needed most. With those attitudes, teenage pregnancy became just a problem that should not be allowed to
destroy the whole family.
Implication
Given the conclusion, the following implications are enumerated:
In view of the fact that the parents who have unconditional love for their child will still be the persons who would
help and support her all the way. Admitting to their parents is the only solution in this situation, and not abortion.
Teenagers must understand that it is normal for parents to have reactions of anger and frustration since they know that
young teens are not yet fully matured for such responsibility. It will be very painful for them but later on they will learn to
accept this circumstance. Nevertheless, these teens must tell their parents as soon as possible so that they will be given
special medical attention.
Young teens should know that no matter how intense their mistake is, their parents will always forgive,
understand, support and love them without end. The hope and positive attitude of the parents toward a suffering is a
proof of their love to their child and to the whole family.
In spite of the parents sentiment, they must communicate with their daughter and to the whole family. Parents
must talk to their teens so they will know that they will not go alone all through the pregnancy. Setting aside the parents
emotional reactions and just focus on how they will support their daughter is necessary to get through this trial. They
must help their daughters to become physically and emotionally strong.

The daughters need consistent medical checkups to have a healthier pregnancy. Parents should also explain to
their daughters that the different reactions of their relatives, friends and neighbors are not important and would not help
their situation.
Parents must communicate with the whole family to solve the problem at once. They have to help the other
family members to view the circumstance as a lesson for everybody. Parent daughter relationship is far more essential
during these days. The parents should talk to their daughters about their future and their future childs. Both can make
decisions if their daughters are ready to receive the sacrament of matrimony. They can also discuss the financial support
they can give to the new baby, like clothing, milk, and medical checkup. Parents should help their daughters to
understand their new and big responsibilities as mother since they are not fully developed and their physically,
emotionally and mentally immature from. Guidance of the parents is still necessary in nurturing the new baby.
Supporting teenage daughters can only be achieved if they work on their feelings of anger, disappointment, guilt
and anxiety. Parents must consider the fact that this is the moment they are needed most by their daughters.
For the therapists and counselors, they must give strength to the parents in overcoming this condition by means
of advice. They should help the parents in developing a positive attitude to view it as a trial and having the hope that they
will come through all of it. Counselors may give advice or suggestions on how the parents will work on their emotional
conflicts so they can fully support their child. They can also propose some ideas on how these parents can prepare their
teens for bigger responsibilities. Counselors may also talk to other family members to apply techniques in understanding
their present difficulty and help them prevent family crisis.
Since pregnancy among teenagers is becoming an epidemic, the schools may help in controlling this issue.
Schools can run a program which aimed to attach the teenagers to their parents. There can be activities and seminars that
tackle about the viewpoints of both parents and the teenagers regarding love and premarital sex. These school programs
must help the students in dealing with whatever problems they may encounter without considering violence.