Trust - Louise's story
Louise was 17 when she had Tamzin. Now 21, she also has a son, Ethan, and newly arrived Amelia, born in September 2004. She is in a relationship with the children's dad but they don't live together.
| "The health visitor always looked surprised if I said sensible, positive things about my child." |
"I was quite a rebel when I was younger, so I was pleased when I got pregnant. I wanted to show people that I could be responsible after all. It was an opportunity to prove that I'd grown up.
Fact
Research has shown that some young women can benefit from early parenthood as it offers them adult status and independence. |
"It hasn't always been easy to convince other people that I'm trustworthy. A lot of people don't expect young mums to be able to look after their babies. When Tamzin was born, some of the midwives were astonished when I asked to stay in hospital to get help with breastfeeding. They assumed I would rush home to go partying. At the breastfeeding support group, no one ever asked me for my opinion but they were very willing to give theirs. It was the same at the baby clinic. And the health visitor always looked surprised if I said sensible, positive things about my child, as if she didn't expect it to come from someone my age.
"But YWCA is really different. They genuinely support young mums in my area, and boost our belief in ourselves. It helps us to realise that we can make a difference - to ourselves and to other people. With YWCA's support, I'm planning to get a group started for teenage mums and mums-to-be. It will be a place where young mums can come along, share their concerns, and feel better about themselves."
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| "When Tamzin was born, some of the midwives were astonished when I asked to stay in hospital to get help with breastfeeding. They assumed I would rush home to go partying." |
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