Student Full Speech 01: Patricia Busch, Preparing for Unplanned Pregnancy

Just 20 days ago, I received an urgent phone call. The voice on the other end of the line, in a panic, tearfully cried out, “Oh my God. Patty, what am I gonna do?” My 27-year-old unmarried friend Miranda had just found out that she was pregnant. By a show of hands, how many of you feel that you are fully prepared for an unplanned pregnancy? None of you. This does not surprise me. The topic of an unplanned pregnancy is difficult for most people. Some actually deny the possibility of becoming pregnant while others choose to avoid the topic and instead focus on abstinence. However, preparation for an unplanned pregnancy can only help the situation, including the people who are involved. At the age of 18, a pregnancy test revealed to me that I was about to become a new mother. This was the picture taken on the day that my son, Christopher, was born. He is now 13 and is extremely difficult to deal with, but I love him all the same. Although this picture may appear to show that I knew how to take care of an infant, the truth of the matter was that I was completely unprepared. Good morning ladies and gentlemen, my name is Patricia Bush. At the end of my speech, I will have given you statistical information concerning unplanned pregnancy. You will also be familiarized with preventative forms of birth control, and you will learn ways to emotionally prepare for the possibility of pregnancy. Also at the end of my speech, I hope that you will feel more comfortable to discuss this topic with your friends, family members, and significant others. We will first begin with some informative data. In order to prepare for anything, you first must be informed. According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are approximately six million pregnancies per year. Sixty million women are in the childbearing ages of 15 to 44. Of this demographic, 70 percent are sexually active and 64 percent use some form of birth control. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one-half of pregnancies in the United States are unintended. This means over three million women become unintentionally pregnant per year. Diana Vogel, author and feature editor at eHow, Incorporated, provides explanations as to the high rates of unplanned pregnancy. Number one, people cannot afford birth control. Two, people don't have the proper knowledge to protect themselves. And the last reason refers to human error. This includes improper use of barriers and irregularity in administrating [sic] hormonal doses. Now let's discuss some preventative methods that you can use. Here are some ways to prevent you and your significant other from pregnancy. An IUD is a t-shaped device that is inserted by a doctor into the uterus. It is more than 99 percent effective and can last between five and 10 years depending on the brand that you use. Hormonal methods include the pill, the patch, vaginal rings, the shot, and implants. These methods have an effective rate between 92 and 99 percent. Barrier methods: this includes male and female condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides. Because of the unreliability of these products, the effective rate ranges between 71 and 98 percent. The fourth and final are natural methods. These are the most unreliable methods, with an effective rate of only 60 percent. They include withdrawal and periodic abstinence. Periodic abstinence as defined by Medicine Med, Incorporated, is another name for the rhythm method. The couple does not have sexual intercourse based on the days of the woman's menstrual cycle. Well you are now familiar with the birth control methods, but how would you mentally and emotionally prepare for the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy? Preparing for the unexpected will give you confidence while making any decisions. First of all, you must devise a personal plan. Ask yourself the basic questions. Do I have someone I can confide in? How do you feel about being a parent? What would this mean for your future? If you are in a relationship, openly communicate with your partner. Ask you partner, how would you feel if we became pregnant? Do you think our relationship is strong enough to survive a pregnancy? Can we rely on each other for support? For men, engage yourselves in the situation. Shawn, I'm going to pick on you. You had mentioned that you have a girlfriend. Is that correct?

Shawn: Uh-huh.

Patricia Busch: How would you feel if she came up to you right now and said they were pregnant?

Shawn: Freaked out.

Patricia Busch: Freaked out. Women expect this. They will panic, they will be scared, and they may even say insensitive things. I encourage all men to not panic. Listen to all ideas. Try to remain understanding and remember to be sensitive with your words. As the American Pregnancy Helpline suggests, familiarize yourself with your rights and your legal responsibilities as a potential father. I am now near the end of my speech. Today I have given you statistical information, pregnancy prevention, and ways to emotionally prepare for the possibility of pregnancy. Although you still may feel uncomfortable addressing this topic with others for whatever reason, remember that the better prepared that you are, the better off that you will be if you are ever faced with this situation. Prepare, prepare, prepare. I cannot stress this to you enough. Through your preparation, you, unlike Miranda and I, will be better prepared for whatever you decision you finally choose. Thank you for your time.