I have been seeing so many friends and family members get pregnant in the past year and each time someone tells me something about their pregnancy, I am baffled.
Technology and fashion have come so far since I was pregnant in 1997!
When did teen pregnancy become normal?
I was 18 when I got pregnant – 19 by the time I delivered Angeline. I was not married, but even if I was, the stigma would have been the same. When I rode the bus, I heard other passengers murmuring tsk tsk, babies giving birth to babies…
Now? If you are a teen mom, you have a pretty good shot at getting your own show on MTV.
Being a pregnant teen was HARD – missing classes due to morning sickness, losing my job at the pretzel shop in the mall because I couldn’t lift the lemonade container due to my huge belly…not going to prom because my baby bump made it impossible to find a dress…
How is it than in 15 years, society’s view on teen pregnancy has gone from automating shunning and judgement to glorification? That just doesn’t make sense to me.
You no longer have to hide your pregnant belly!
This is actually a good thing – when I was pregnant, the goal was to cover that stomach up. All of my maternity clothes were loose and flowing, I basically lived in baby doll dresses and jumpers. That was all I could find in the maternity section of stores.
Now? Designers make special maternity clothing lines and pregnant woman proudly display their big bellies. Hollywood pregnant mamas parade their bare bellies down the red carpet…it must be so liberating having all those options to choose from!
What the heck is a 3D Ultrasound?
When I was pregnant in 1997, ultra sounds looked like a carbon copy, full of static and maybe, just maybe, you could make out the vague shape of a peanut that was – according to your obstetrician – your baby. And when you wanted to take home a recording of your baby’s ultrasound, you had to bring in a VHS tape for your doctor to record it.
I know, archaic, right?
Now, there are 3D ultrasounds that actually show your child – and it looks like a real human being, instead of some half grown sea monkey.
I’m jealous.
I had a scrap book…today women have blogs.
Blogs weren’t around in 1997. Hell, most people didn’t even own a computer or have access to the internet. Sure, some people had online journaling, but they were nothing compared to today’s blogs.
Whereas I had a baby book where I wrote notes to my baby and stuck photos and ultrasound pictures, pregnant women today have entire blogs dedicated to their pregnancy experience. Some bloggers even receive baby products in exchange for reviewing them on their blogs…all I had was a baby shower, complete with “Guess how fat she is” games.
Lame.
Don’t be hatin’ and jelly of progression. ~LOL~
I was 1st preggo in 2000 and you’re right it has changed soooo much! maternity clothes are so freaking cute these days that i am tempted to have another baby!
I love the clothes that show off your belly- I feel the most pretty when pregnant! 🙂
My first pregnancy was 2003/2004 and I agree the stuff that’s out there today is way better. I’m with you on the whole teen pregnancy thing, I think it’s good that we’re more open and talk more about it -I don’t think it’s a good idea to glorify it though and make it something cool.
I hate the whole MTV Thing.. My cousin just had her first and is a miserable mess. She thought it would be “easy”.. My aunt is taking the role of mommy.
They sure have changed. There was a time when a pregnant teen was sent away until she gave birth. I’m glad they’ve changed some, though. But, to glorify it, makes me kind of sad. And the maternity clothes today, don’t even look like maternity clothes.
As someone who had their first in 2009 it’s so fascinating to hear the differences in how things are! {Seriously!} The one thing I have to disagree with is that while teen pregnancy is glorified on tv, it still isn’t in public. I was 20 when I got pregnant & delivered my son, and even though I was working full time, in college full time, already engaged when I got pregnant, and never a partier, people always assumed I was a sinner who got knocked up on a one night stand. So, that hasn’t quite changed.
It makes me upset that they glorify teen pregnancy. I know from friends and family that teen pregnancy is something that is hard for everyone. I cannot imagine going through what you did!
And all the cute maternity clothes *almost* makes me want to be pregnant. I’m content to wait another 10-15 years for that though. lol
It has come a long way! I don’t like how they make teen pregnancy look like a cool thing, though. I had my first child when I was 20 (now pregnant with my second), and it was so tough! I love my son to death, but I can honestly say that I wasn’t fully ready for a child at even 20 years old, so I can’t imagine how a teenager can do it. Unless a person is fully mature and have the funds (for formula, various baby items, diapers, etc), I recommend young mothers to wait! It definitely isn’t cheap. Plus, it can be extremely hard to juggle between parenting with work and/or going to school.
My first pregnancy was in 2003/2004 and man, the stuff today is way better. My SIL just had a baby and I am so jealous of all the cool stuff she has.