(un)Planned Pregnancy

In a society saturated with sexualization, it isn't often that something comes across our desks here at Teaming Together 4 Teens, that truly makes us look twice.

 However, we did more than just a double-take when presented with the latest data released by the National Campaign to prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.  Nearly one in ten unmarried young  women in their 20's has an unplanned pregnancy each year.  That is approximately 1.3 million unplanned pregnancies in this group annually-a 13% increase between 2001 and 2006!  The fact that fully 7 in 10 pregnancies among unmarried young women are described by women themselves as unplanned means that we have one of the highest unplanned pregnancy in the entire developed world.

As you may suspect, the consequences of unplanned pregnancy can be significant-interrupting education, higher risk of poverty, increased health risks for mother and child and more.

Interestingly, nearly all (91%) of unmarried young adults: 18-29 (both men and women) believe that pregnancy should be planned.  Moreover, 8 in 10 say that it is important to avoid getting pregnant or causing a pregnancy at this time in their lives.

So, what's going on?  The statistics above alarmed me to spread the word about a new campaign that seeks to address this disconnect between attitudes and action that helps young adults achieve, by helping young adults achieve goals they themselves say they want to achieve, by helping women find a method of birth control that fits into their lives.  The campaign-developed by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Ad Council-is reliable, funny and motivating...not always the words that come to mind when talking about  contraception.  The ads feature a montage of reliable and funny "sex mishaps" and conclude with th e line "You didn't give up on sex.  Don't give up on birth control."  Take a look here: http://www.youtube.com/bedsider.

The campaign directs to Bedsider.org. an online and mobile program with everything young women need to find the best method of birth control, stay on it and use it successfully-including easy ways to explore and compare various methods, videos of real women describing their personal experiences with each method, birth control reminders sent by text or email and funny myth-busting cartoons.  Bedsider's self-proclaimed goal to make birth control easier...maybe even fun.


Skeptical?  We thought we knew it all too-until we went to the site.  Did you know that an IUD provides up to 12 years of worry-free protection against pregnancy?  Do you know what a cervical cap looks like?  Or how you would use "the Ring" (not just a horror movie...it's actually a highly effective and easy-to-use hormonal method of birth control)?

At Teaming Together 4 Teens, we strongly believe that education is empowerment and for that reason would support this breakthrough new campaign.  Having options is always a good thing and with this understanding of your options about birth control, you are giving yourself power over your own body, sexuality and future.

Check out the campaign.  We think you will like what you see and hear.