Baby, Think it Over

Baby, Think it Over is a nationally recognized, science- and abstinence-based experiential pregnancy prevention program for middle school students. This program gives adolescents a realistic perspective on teen pregnancy and parenting. Through a six-session course, adolescent attitudes toward teenage pregnancy are assessed, and impacted through a variety of discussions, informational presentations, and a weekend with an infant simulator. The students learn how having a child as a teen will affect their lives by learning about the various financial, social, and emotional costs of having a child, labor and delivery, and the needs and development of an infant. After the first five sessions, the students take home an infant simulator that cries, burps, and coos. This simulator requires feeding, burping, rocking, and diaper changing on a 24-hour unpredictable schedule. This simulator is based on the principle that students learn through experience. Curriculum Components Basic reproductive health information Basic parent education Healthy relationship education A "weekend parenting experience" with the infant simulators Computer-based feedback on the weekend experience A general/overall message of abstinence being the best choice for preventing pregnancy, STD's, and healthy outcomes for teens

Julie Crowe, manager of prevention and early intervention services at DePelchin, explains the Baby, Think it Over Program.

Topics Addressed
These topics are covered in an interactive manner including, activities, videos, discussions, and an interactive parenting experience weekend.

Attitudes toward teenage pregnancy Goal setting and decision making Infant development Financial and social “costs” of teenage parenting Labor and delivery Responsibilities of parenthood

The purpose of the Baby, Think It Over program is to encourage adolescents to be informed about the consequences before they decide to engage in sexual activity, encouraging safe and healthy choices. This program does not discourage parenting but educates on the responsibilities of parenting, and making informed decisions about becoming a parent.

The Baby, Think It Over program is an abstinence-based pregnancy prevention program. The six session curriculum will be delivered by a Family Resource Specialist from DePelchin Children’s Center. Space for the sessions and parental consent are required. All other materials are provided by DePelchin Children’s Center.

DePelchin Children’s Center implemented the program eight years ago in Houston Independent School District schools and has had tremendous success with preventing initial sexual activity for one to two years in children in sixth through ninth grade. Last fall, DePelchin expanded the program to serve more schools throughout the Houston community, including private and charter schools as well as after school and neighborhood programs interested in offering the curriculum.

To request more information or to find out how you can bring Baby, Think It Over to your school, organization, or community, call (713) 802-7777 or email info@depelchin.org.