Unit 7: Family Responsibilities

Lesson 1: Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

1. Identify where to go for birth control and prenatal care information.

2. Indicate the approximate cost of having a child.

3. Understand the information a person needs to obtain from her insurance company regarding the coverage of medical costs of having a baby.

4. Understand the steps needed to prepare for being pregnant while working.

MATERIALS
Prenatal Care Checklist

Insurance Coverage for Having a Baby

Preparing for Pregnancy at Work

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INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
This lesson will provide students information about planning a family. This, of course, is a very private decision. However, for students who want or need information about having a child, this lesson will cover obtaining information on birth control and prenatal care. Additionally, trainers will help students work through the financial considerations of having a child and employment considerations while pregnant and after the child is born. This lesson may appear to be directed toward women, but it is important to convey to men that they need to be responsible for decision making about birth control, prenatal care, and financial and work obligations.

1. There are several birth control methods available, and the information on each method is extensive. Due to the amount of information and the private nature of selecting a birth control method, it is not recommended that trainers attempt to cover this vast amount of information. Instead, the class should discuss where they can find out information about birth control options. Options would include a physician, pregnancy clinic, a Planned Parenthood clinic, or the Public Health Department.
   
   

2. Discuss prenatal care. Essentially, a student who is interested or needs information on maintaining good health during pregnancy should participate in the training from the Health unit. Hand out the sheet titled "Prenatal Care Checklist" and review the information. Stress to students the importance of seeing a doctor and continuing under a doctor's care as soon as they discover they are pregnant.
   
   

3. Discuss the financial considerations of having a baby. According to the Department of Agriculture, it will cost about $200,000 to raise a child until he or she is 18 years old. The unit on Money Management provides training in the areas of budgeting, saving money, and insurance. As a class exercise, assign the students to find out the cost of the following items: crib, stroller, car seat, a pack of diapers (plan on using 100-150 packs per year), and day care. Split the responsibility of finding the cost of the different items among the students and meet in one week. In the follow-up meeting, add up the costs of these items to provide the expense of having a child in the first year. Remind students that this does not include food or clothes.
   
   

4. Review the checklist titled "Insurance Coverage for Having a Baby." The Health Insurance Association of America conducted a survey in 1996 on the cost of actually having a baby. All expenses for a hospital stay for a vaginal delivery totals about $6,380. This does not include medical costs before or after the birth.
   
   

5. Review the checklist titled "Preparing for Pregnancy at Work."

SIGNS OF GENERALIZATION
The purpose of this lesson is to provide information for students to make informed family decisions. Again, the decision to have a family is a private decision. But, if students do decide to share their decision with a trainer, the students should be making appropriate decisions about their financial and employment situation.

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