Antenatal help 'needed in schools and colleges'

Schools and colleges could have specialist antenatal lessons for teenage mums to be.

It's one of the ideas being presented to the Government in England and Wales.

The plan has been suggested by Nice (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) an organisation who advise on health matters.

They say many women under 20 aren't getting any antenatal care at all.

Northern Ireland already has some classes in place and a maternity review's taking place in Scotland.

Newsbeat spoke to three teenage girls in Gloucestershire who attend the Young Mums To Be programme, which offers support and education to pregnant teenagers and getting them ready to be a mum.

We asked them what they thought of antenatal lessons in school and college.

Poppy Thomas, 16, Gloucester

"I found out I was pregnant at the start of my GCSEs but I coped all the way through and did well in my exams considering I was expecting. I was so shocked at first, then scared.

"I think it could be good to have lessons in school as antenatal is so important.

"You get to listen to the baby's heartbeat, your blood pressure's taken. It's good to know that everything's on track and keeps everything in check."

Emily Lundegaard, 17, Gloucester

"I'm 25 weeks pregnant. It's weird how your body changes, you get stretch marks and feeling the baby kick is odd.

"When I found out I was pregnant I spoke to the doctors and it was a midwife who works with teenagers that put me in touch with the Young Mums To Be group.

"I don't think antenatal lessons would work in school because many don't stay in education through their pregnancy anyway. I can't see it benefiting that many people.

"I think the sex education needs to be a lot better, I was taught nothing at school - that's what's going to help instead. They could teach lifestyle classes to all school children about growing up with children, how difficult it is."

Bobby Walsh, 16, Gloucestershire

"I'm due in eight days but I think I've handled the pregnancy well. Me and my boyfriend were both happy when we found out. We're planning to move in together."

"During my pregnancy I've been to some antenatal classes where I've been learning about how the baby grows, what I can eat, what not to eat.

"I think that lessons in school could be useful but some people might not want to go to them. Personally I wouldn't be embarrassed if it means I learn more about my baby."

More from Revealed on teen pregnancy