Pregnancy and Abortion Counseling

[摘要] Changing societal attitudes toward sexuality have resulted in adolescent sexual behavior that has produced, with increasing frequency in recent years. two serious consequences: pregnancy and abortion. Among teenagers there are an estimated one million pregnancies annually, one third of which end in abortion. Therefore, the frequency with which pediatricians may encounter pregnancy and abortion is high, and the reality of having to deal with these problems must be appreciated.The Committee on Adolescence has prepared this statement with three guiding principles: (1) it must represent an unbiased guide to Academy Fellows faced with the problems of adolescent pregnancy and abortion; (2) none of the options offered can be universally preferred and, indeed, all carry the potential for considerable disability; and (3) the individuality of the pediatrician, the adolescent patient, other concerned individuals, and their cumulative working decision must be preserved and given adequate freedom of action.The pediatrician should examine his or her own attitudes and beliefs about sexuality in the adolescent. Feelings about premarital sex, pregnancy, and abortion are personal, individual, and deeply rooted. Therefore, pediatricians and other health professionals must refrain from imposing their own sexual and moral standards on teenagers. For pediatricians who wish to counsel young people but lack the experience or confidence, there are numerous regional and national educational opportunities to learn about counseling teenagers. Or pediatricians may wish to participate in preceptorship training with professionals knowledgeable in pregnancy counseling of teenagers. If pediatricians decide not to counsel their teenage patients about sexual matters, such as pregnancy and abortion, they still have a responsibility to refer their patients to counseling facilities experienced in and sensitive to the needs of adolescents.

[学科分类] 儿科学