Prenatal education for pregnant adolescents

Providing services to pregnant adolescents poses a unique challenge for health professionals. Several programs have emerged tailored specifically to this special population. Prenatal education is an integral component of these programs. This paper describes prenatal education classes offered at Teen Pregnancy Service, including special modifications required to meet the learning needs of participants. Outcome data provided for 66 pregnant teens show significant changes in prenatal knowledge following the class series. Information is included about the teens' backgrounds, their perceptions regarding potential problems infants may experience, and how they remembered being reared by their parents.