Blog #6: Prenatal Testing

I believe that prenatal testing should be available and required for all women who are pregnant. The benefits of prenatal testing are astounding. Simple sonograms can detect problems that the fetus may have early on, so that the child will be able to have a chance to fix the problem. Doctor visits can screen soon-to-be mothers for conditions that will effect the baby and the mother. For example, if it is found that the mother has gestational diabetes, the doctor may be able to prevent the condition from worsening. From a monetary standpoint, most of the time it is less expensive to treat a problem in the early stages than waiting until the child is born. There would be more expensive treatments to cure the ailment when the child is born. On the other hand, early detection helps prepare the parents if there is actually developmental issues with the child. Prenatal testing should be available to all pregnant women to protect their unborn children. Hospitals still have the responsibility to take care of sick babies when they are born. Testing will help keep babies healthy and cost down.

My Thoughts on Having Children

In the future, I want to have children. I want to finish school before I have children. Since I plan on going to medical school or another type or professional program, I would like to wait to wait atleast five years from now to start having children. Graduate education can be very time consuming and I want to devote as much time as I can to my kids. Being married before I have children is very important to me. I want to be able to provide my children with a stable home. My children having both parents around is crucial to me. For most of my life, I grew up in a single parent household and I know what a struggle it can be for a single mother. I think having children is a wonderful experience and that kids can bring a lot of joy into your life. Personally, I want to be ready for the responsibilty and that time is not in the near future.

Sex Ed in Schools

Sex education should be taught in the nation's public high schools. I think it should be mandatory that adolescences be exposed to the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. Adolescents should know about the different kinds of viruses and infections, and how they are transmitted through people. Curriculums should have both methods of education, like abstinence-plus. Teenagers should be made aware of the benefits of abstaining, and they should be taught ways to protect themselves, if they do choose to have sex.

Teenagers are going to make their own choices about if they have sex or if they don't. We as a society need to educate our youth, so they can make the best informed decision for themselves. Sometimes the best way for some teens to learn is by making their own mistakes. Like your mother telling you the stove is hot, but you don't believe her until you burn your hand. If health educators give students the information they need to make the right choices, hopefully teenagers will listen and protect themselves.

I believe that both sides of sex education can be taught without advocating students to go out and have sex. There have been cases at some high schools were a large section of the student population has been infected by an STD. Knowledge is important when it comes to youth knowing about sex. They are going to have to learn about it sometime.

How to Encourage Adolescents to Have Heathy Behaviors

In today's society healthy behaviors are not very common among adolescents. I believe there are ways that society as a whole can encourage teenagers to have healthy behaviors. Parents, health educators, and the media can influence they way adolescents treat their bodies. Healthy habits start in the home. If parents teach their children to incorporate healthier foods into their diet, they will be able to make better choices on their own. For example, my father grew up in a household where there were not many sweets, such as cakes, cookies, etc., so as a child he did not have them very often. Now as an adult, my father rarely eats sugary foods.

In school, physical activity should be allowed among all students. I know in high school after my sophomore year it was not required for students to take phys ed. So if schools encourage students to take up different sports or other types of activity, students can stay active. Maybe offering different types of exercise would help students become more involved in physical activity. Adding recreation like, intramural clubs or Pilate's during P.E., may be beneficial to students.

Ultimately, encouraging adolescents to follow healthy behaviors should be taken on by a team approach. It will take health care provider, educators, and parents to help them make the right choices when it comes to their health. Media influences are always going to surround adolescents and some of the images may be helpful or discouraging. I believe it will take a community effort to help adolescents with healthy behaviors.