Amy’s Story

The first time I had sex I thought I was madly love with my fella. I felt more or less pressurised into it. He was very nice and loving and saying everyone else was doing it and why can’t we do it? So I just felt it was something we had to do, that I didn’t have a choice. I was 14. He was 16.

I was far too young. I would like to have waited for someone who was a bit more special and had a bit more respect for me.

The night I got pregnant, I was celebrating my birthday. I told my friend we hadn’t used anything she said I was probably pregnant so I took a test and found out that it was positive. My friend was with me when I took the test, so she knew. She was the only person I told. I was scared about people’s reaction, but a bit excited at the same time.

But then when I told Mammy and Daddy – they didn’t take it well at all. All hell broke loose. Daddy wouldn’t speak to me. Things are much better now. Everyone loves Katie.

Life is very difficult, even trying on clothes and that. You get stretch marks and it’s embarrassing in changing rooms, with everyone looking at you. Or going to the cinema, first I had to get a babysitter for Katie, and even if I managed that, my parents might not let me out. It was difficult because my brother was younger than me and he got to do everything. Then even if you do go out, you have to be up early in the morning, to play with Katie, or feed her. It’s not the same as it is for my friends. Even when I got to 17 and 18 and I was going to discos, there was no such thing as a lie in. You were up and out at 7 in the morning.

It’s also hard when she gets sick, because she only wants you, and it’s hard. It’s very hard.

I’d say to young girls thinking about having sex, just think about it. Think about “If I do this then what will happen”? Even if you don’t get pregnant, different things can happen. Be careful about it. Be sure that it’s what you want. If you are going to do it, talk to someone first, a nurse, a friend, someone older.