11 years old and pregnant?!?

[wowie]

Lothian girl pregnant at 11

ANDREW PICKEN (apicken@edinburghnews.com)

POLICE have launched an investigation into the case of a Lothian schoolgirl who is set to become Britain's youngest mum.

The girl fell pregnant aged 11 after having sex with a 15-year-old on a drunken night out with friends in Edinburgh last August. He has been charged with statutory rape.

The girl today told a national newspaper how she was "really excited" to be having a baby. Her mother said she was "proud" of her daughter.

I'm really proud my girl will be mum

THE mother of a West Lothian schoolgirl who became pregnant at the age of 11 today told how she was "proud" of her daughter.

The 34-year-old mother-of-six pledged to support the schoolgirl, who is now 12, and has offered to look after the baby while the young mum is at school.

The girl, who has not been named, was today reported as saying she is "really excited" about the prospect of having a child after losing her virginity to a boy, who is understood to be aged 15, following a night out in Edinburgh.

Police and social workers have launched an investigation into the case and are set to interview the girl. Reports have been submitted to the procurator fiscal - and the boy has now been charged with statutory rape. A police spokeswoman confirmed late this morning that a 15-year-old boy had been charged with statutory rape following a complaint. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court during the last month and faces further court appearances.

In an interview with The Scottish Sun, the girl, who smokes up to 20 roll-up cigarettes a day and started drinking aged ten, said she hoped the baby would be a boy.

She said: "I am really excited and looking forward to being a mum. I can't wait to take the baby swimming and out for walks in the pram.

"I think I'll be able to cope as I've had lots of practice looking after my brothers. I'm enjoying being pregnant - even though I get a bit of a sore back and sore ribs." Her mother added: "I'm not ashamed of my daughter at all - in fact, I'm proud of her for keeping her baby. I know she is worried about what other people will say but she can walk out there with her head held high."

The youngster is understood to live with her family in a top-floor council flat in Armadale. Her youngest brother is just eight-months-old, which means he will become an uncle before he is one.

The girl told how she feared she might be pregnant after having unprotected sex with the boy after a drunken night out with friends in Edinburgh last August. "We didn't use a condom but I didn't think about getting pregnant. I wasn't bothered at the time," she continued. "He knew it was my first time and I was nervous so he asked if I was all right.

"I slept with him because I was drunk and because I wanted to. I don't regret it, because if I had not had sex with him I wouldn't have had my baby."

The girl visited the doctor on three occasions to be tested but the results were all negative. However, the pregnancy was eventually confirmed with the help of a supermarket home-testing kit.

She is due to give birth in a few weeks, breaking the record set by Jenny Teague of Dorset, who had a baby when she was aged 12 years and nine months in 1997.

The West Lothian girl's mother, who has not been named, told the newspaper: "She's grown up a lot in the last few months and her pregnancy has brought us closer together. At first I wasn't too happy about becoming a gran but now I'm used to the idea I'm really looking forward to having another girl around the house.

"My daughter is already like a mum to her little brothers, so she knows how hard this is going to be. I know she'll give motherhood a good try - and she knows I'll be here for her if she needs help.

"She's got her family and some good friends who are standing by her so she's certainly not alone. She knows this is a big responsibility."

The girl's dad is also understood to have pledged to back his daughter all the way.

When the girl realised she was pregnant she persuaded a close female relative to break the shock news to her mum - who had given birth to a baby of her own just days before. "I was so upset and so was my mum, especially as she'd just given birth to my wee brother," she said. "I didn't really talk to her much at the time either, so that made things even more difficult. When I saw the two blue lines, meaning it was positive, I just started greetin'. I knew straight away that I couldn't have an abortion because that's something I don't believe in. "I was paranoid about what my mum was going to say and just frightened about being pregnant too.

"We had a big argument and I ended up locking myself in my room and then running away to a friend's house. It was really hard, but it has brought me and my mum closer together, which is good. "At the weekend, mum and I are going shopping to get stuff for the baby.

"I've already got a new pram, two bouncy chairs, a steriliser for cleaning my bottles and a Moses basket, but I've still to buy a cot, baby bath, bottles and dummies. I'd like to have a wee boy because girls are too crabbit. I'm not sure what I'll call him, but I like the name Leo."

She said she began smoking when she was nine years old and started drinking just a year later.

She said: "I can give up smoking at any time, but I don't find it affects my pregnancy. I also don't drink any more."

The 12-year-old, who is understood to be getting her schooling at a local community centre, said she did not find the prospect of being a mum at such a young age daunting and had coped well during her pregnancy. She said: "I know how to feed a baby its bottle and I can change nappies - but I panic and cry if they are sick and I don't like giving them a bath because I am a bit frightened.

"I'm keeping well now that my morning sickness has passed - but I'm worried about getting stretch marks.

"My tummy has got so big I mostly have to wear stretchy clothes - but I still squeeze into my jeans.

"I like feeling the baby kicking, but the first time it moved I got a massive fright. I didn't know what was happening till my mum explained it to me. It doesn't bother me now - even though it sometimes keeps me awake at night.

"It is good to know I'll have my mum here to help me if I need her.

"My mum has been great.

"I knew she'd stand by me no matter what, but I told her straight away I was keeping the baby.

"The social work suggested I got rid of it or gave it away after it was born, but I'd never do that.

"My mum has come to both scans with me, which was amazing.

"The first time all I could see was a heartbeat, but then I had a scan at 12 weeks and fell in love with my baby straight away.

"You could see its head and body. It was brilliant."

The eight months pregnant mum-to-be is reported to have quit school following a string of exclusions for fighting with fellow pupils.

She told the newspaper: "I know I'll have to face school again eventually. I haven't had a hard time from anybody about the baby yet, but I think a lot of the older pupils will slag me off when I go back.

"My mum has said she will look after the baby so I can go to school.

"I don't know what I want to do with my life when I leave. I used to want to be a nursery nurse, but now I'm not so sure."

The girl has started planning a new look for her bedroom to make it fit for her baby. Posters of boy bands are being replaced with lilac wallpaper covered with pink, purple and silver hearts.

She said: "I share with my sister just now but we're doing the place up so I can have a room for myself and my baby."

The girl's mum added: "After she had three pregnancy tests she thought she was in the clear. But the doctor now reckons she was testing too early to detect the pregnancy.

"It was a shock for everyone when she discovered she was expecting. It is hard for me because she's only 12 and she's still my little girl.

"I know she's scared of going into labour and it's even given her nightmares but I'll be there to hold her hand.

"The hospital plans to give her pain relief and let her have a natural birth.

"I know from going through it myself that labour can be terrifying but I'm right behind her and we'll get through this together."

Police and social workers are set to interview the girl and her family as part of the child protection investigation.

A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation.

"We are providing support through our social policy and education teams. We are working with the family to support the young person to ensure the child gets the best possible start."

A police spokeswoman said: " A child protection review investigation will take place and the matter has been reported to the children's reporter and procurator fiscal."

No-one from NHS Lothian was prepared to comment on the case.

Pregnancy sparks fresh calls for better sex education

THE CASE of the schoolgirl who fell pregnant at the age of 11 today prompted calls for a better teenage sexual health strategy in Scotland.

Sex education groups have called for more support for youngsters and the Conservatives called for society and families to unite to change attitudes towards sex.

The Catholic Church warned of Scotland's " increasingly promiscuous culture".

Jackie Anderson, of the Family Planning Association, said the case was rare but underlined the importance of making youngsters aware of the consequences of having sex at such an early age. She said: "It is very uncommon that someone aged 11 gets pregnant but this situation does highlight the need for proper sex education both in the home and at school.

"Girls as young as nine are starting their period so it is a message we need to get across from an early age. Sex education also has to be in the widest terms from obvious things such as contraception but also assertiveness training to give youngsters the confidence to say no."

Tory health spokeswoman Nanette Milne MSP said: "This news will have shocked many people and the impact on the lives of the two children, the mum-to-be and her baby, must be the first concern.

"I hope that this incident will draw attention to failings that have allowed such a young girl to go on a night out, get drunk, get pregnant, yet seemingly be ignorant about the risks and consequences."

Comments

[gondorbunny.livejournal.com]

Aflon just showed me that article. I'm positively appalled. Just another bit of example to add to my long-standing belief that some people just should NOT be allowed to breed.

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

You can't help but wonder about what will become of this little one and the environment it'll be growing up in...

[aflon.livejournal.com]

This is very scary and is happening 15 miles from here. The mother's attitude is reprehensible, but one that seems to be quite common among certain sectors of society here. I call it 'bus stop' culture - the kids hang round in bus stops and you just know that by the time they are 16 the girls will be pushing prams.

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

Unfortunate for them, but one of those teaching moments you can discuss openly with your kids.

[fomocobaby.livejournal.com]

It's stupid, and socially irresponsible, but even more practically than that...it's simply not healthy for a girl who has barely begun puberty to be pregnant. (To make no mention of the drinking and smoking. Oy vey.)

She's at a terrible risk for complications in her pregnancy and delivery, and for long-term risks like an increased chance of breast cancer. It's just unnatural and vile to do that. *shudders*

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

And to think it's probably only #1! *shudders*

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

It's everywhere, though. I've seen 'em as young as 14 (that I've noticed) at work, and I'm sure they've been younger... and I think of my 16 year old every time. They have their lives ahead of 'em - and they don't *think*, but I'm sure a lot of times it's the drugs and alcohol making the decisions for them.

[pusspower.livejournal.com]

Something tells me I am going to lose a lot of sleep in 8-10 years...

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

They are so precious and you want what's best for them. Always. At any age.

(Don't need to worry about 16 year old and boys here. She's too busy babysitting at every spare moment to even know what a boy is. I think.)

*and what happens when one assumes?!?

[fomocobaby.livejournal.com]

Let's hope she doesn't become so enamored of the little nippers that she wants one of her own to play with!

(Though that doesn't sound like the prodigal daughter at all...she seems far too sensible for that foolishness.)

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

They make her *scream*.

These kids are starting to get rather comfortable around her and sometimes discipline is an issue, at least with the four year old. Last I heard he was giggling and jumping on a couch he was't supposed to be jumping on. Gawd, I'm so glad my days like that are over.

Ready for another one ;-)?

[fomocobaby.livejournal.com]

LOL, if people waited until they were 100% ready for children, the world would be sadly underpopulated.

Could use a reliable babysitter, but that's a bit of a commute. I pay well though!

[mirabella6666.livejournal.com]

You mean the boyfriends don't come over to the house where she is babysitting? Things have improved then since I was a teenager.

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

She's boyfriendless. And is more than content to have fun with her girlfriends.

[vigwig.livejournal.com]

Nauseating, ignorant, irresponsible, reprehensible and pathetic.

[carelessmemory.livejournal.com]

O.o I.. I don't have any words. It's horrible, and I can't believe the mother, and. Geez.

Feel a bit of a rant coming on!

[roma-apollo.livejournal.com]

You can't believe the mother and I can't believe the bloody social services.

It makes me so angry how they behave. For years I lived next door to an alcoholic who regularly mentally abused her children, played her music at full pelt at 3 in the morning and was a monumental pain in the arse. What did her social worker do - nothing, because they like to help the families in the home. Well, excuse me, but they can't live with the family 24/7 and most people like this are extremely adept at putting on the right front and saying the right things when the social worker comes to call - because they don't just turn up - they make a flaming appointment!!! I once heard my neighbour effing and blinding at her kids calling them c**ts and all and two minutes later she's singing nursery rhymes and I'm wondering what the hell is going on and then the social worker appears and the neighbour is all 'oh, I forgot you were coming today'.

Also, what pisses me off is the fact that social workers in this country are taking children away from good loving parents because the parents are deemed to be 'too slow' or 'mentally deficient' in some way. Can you believe that? I think one parent was described as being mentally slow and therefore unlikely to have maternal feelings!! What utter bullshit!!

But a child with a heroin addict mother and junkie father who allows them to smoke and drink and get pregnant - hey, let's leave well alone. These kids aren't some social experiment!

Sadly, in the case of this eleven year old, it's just going to be one of many and the cycle will continue.

Re: Feel a bit of a rant coming on!

[wwowie.livejournal.com]

Growing up, across the street from us was a single mom who was raising four kids. The two girls around my age had babies at 18 and both of their daughters have had kids at the same age. I think the cycle is very very hard to break.

[urgayleswoman.livejournal.com]

Ignorance.