A program that was begun some six years ago has finally begun to see some results wherein more pregnant teens are attended by mobile doctors thereby getting the care they need without missing school.
The program had initiated the use of a 33-foot-vehicle that would travel to schools in Garland, Texas to provide on-site prenatal and postpartum care to teens. This has helped teens to get the care they need as early as possible in their pregnancies.According to Kathy Bennett, a social worker with Baylor Family Residency Program, 'I would say that we are seeing more and more in the first trimester. When we first started, we saw a lot of people in the last trimester. They were just showing up to deliver and having no prenatal care.'
Earlier officials had reported that girls had to travel to get to a doctor which often resulted in many missing a whole day of school or missing doctor appointments.
The rate for miscarriages, abortions and births in 15-19 year olds in Texas was estimated to be 10 percent while the state rate was 8 percent. Since the initiation of the program in 2000 650 teens and 230 babies have been served.
Some of the other programs that are available in the state for helping pregnant teens include public transportation to doctor appointments for pregnant students in Fort Worth. In addition in Fort Worth there is also an alternative school for pregnant or parenting teens within walking distance of a clinic.
