NEW MOMS DISCOVER WHAT TO EXPECT; PROGRAM HELPS TEEN-AGE MOTHERS WITH PREGNANCY, HEALTH CONCERNS

Christy Sprengel, left, a nutritionist for the Women, Infant and Children program at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, checked Ranada Lowe's weight during her monthly visit to the center.

Ranada Lowe looked at a sonogram of a classmate's baby during WIC class.

Erin Carter didn't believe what people told her about pregnancy. Rather, she didn't believe what they said would apply to her pregnancy.

"I didn't think I'd sleep and be tired all the time, and now I'm sleepy all the time. And I didn't think I'd waddle -- now folks call me Waddles because of the way I walk," said the 17-year old. "I didn't know -- I guess I was just in denial."

Carter, who is six months pregnant, said she now knows that the "experts" were right, as proven by her many symptoms of pregnancy.

Experience has been a great teacher, she said, as have been the nutritionists and others who work with the teen parenting class held monthly at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

The class is sponsored by the Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program at the health department. Each month teen mothers are scheduled for a joint class to discuss pregnancy-related issues significant to their age group. The teens learn about health risks associated with pregnancy in their age group, as well as detailed information about how to have a healthy pregnancy.

Ranada Lowe, 17, said the WIC program was one of her first stops after learning of her pregnancy. Lowe, who is four months pregnant, said her prenatal visits with her obstetrician, the teen classes and a good book are helping her make healthy decisions during her pregnancy.

"I mainly talk to my nurse practitioner and I'm reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting," so between the three of them I get just about everything I need to know," said Lowe.

Shawanna Bell, 15, said the class helps her monitor her health and know what to expect between meetings. Bell, who is five and a half months pregnant, said she has experienced several complications during her pregnancy that are at higher risk with teen pregnancies.

WIC nutritionist Christy Sprengel said the class is important because teen mothers have increased health risks that should be monitored. The WIC program supplements prenatal care for the girls by providing them specific health information, answering questions and monitoring their weights and diets, she said.

"We're just here to make sure they're doing okay in their pregnancies and answer any questions they might have, she said.

Georgia Rodgers, 21, can attest that while teen parenthood isn't the easiest job around, it can be survived. Rod gers, who gave birth to her first child at age 18, attended the WIC teen program and now volunteers as a peer educator to share her experiences.

"I just got involved because I was a teen mother myself and I was just interested in talking to others," said Rogers, who is now married and attending Southeast Missouri State University. "I really want them to know about the benefits of things like breast-feeding, because it is healthier for the child and less expensive for the moms."

Although none of the girls currently attending the class have expressed an interest in breast-feeding, Rogers said their time is well-spent because of the contact they have with each other. "Sometimes it helps to separate them from the other moms and just let them see they're not the only teens going through this," she said.