Abstract:
The objective was to study experiences of pregnancy of adolescents. Data were collected using in-depth interview from 12 female adolescents, who experienced in unintended pregnancy and finally gave birth, during a period of 6 months to 1 year postpartum.
The result could be categorized into 5 issues: Issue 1: Risk behaviors before getting pregnant : the adolescents reflect that having sexual intercourse was a common behavior, they lacked of birth control knowledge, the family didnt know about their friends. They go to drink alcohol and go to the entertainment centers. Issue 2: During the gestation period, they were lacked of self-confidence and worried that their appearance will no longer be attractive, they felt guilty and lost their jobs for extra income, they need to find someone support. In addition, a few adolescents failed an abortion attempt and had to continue with the pregnancy. Issue 3: During delivering a child, they were afraid of pain and had financial problem, could not be able to afford the medical treatment. Issue 4: Regarding parenting after the delivery, the adolescents brought up a child by themselves, asked for supports from Surat Thani Shelter for Children and Families, and had moral supports from families. Issue 5: Regarding the future planning after the delivery, most of the adolescents, want to come back to studying, working, or staying with family. However, most of the adolescents tended to vestal child to a foundation willing to help a child look for a family willing to adopt a child. To prevent and resolve the pregnancy problems. A cooperation and unity of all stakeholders, families, religions, local communities, and schools, should be integrated in the process with having Shelter of Children and Families as the coordinator because Shelter of Children and Families is well aware of the problem. In addition, information about premature sexual intercourse prevention should be developed in order to reflect and signalize the current social problems as well as to raise awareness of premature sexual intercourse prevention by focusing on a modern communication process, which is appropriate with the adolescents and consistent with the systematically cooperative problem-solving planning and management.