According to CNN reports, the 33-foot-vehicle that travels to schools in Garland, Texas to provide on-site prenatal and postpartum care to teens has encouraged teens to get the care they need early on in their pregnancies.
"I would say that we are seeing more and more in the first trimester," said Kathy Bennett, a social worker with Baylor Family Residency Program. "When we first started, we saw a lot of people in the last trimester. They were just showing up to deliver and having no prenatal care."
Officials reportedly say girls used to have to travel to get to a doctor so many were missing a full day of school or missing doctor appointments.
Texas's rate for births, abortions, or miscarriages in 15-19 year olds is 10 percent. The state rate is 8 percent. Since the program began in 2000 it has served 650 teens and 230 babies.
Other programs are available in the state to help pregnant teens get the care they need. In Fort Worth pregnant students can take public transportation to doctor appointments. An alternative school for pregnant or parenting teens in Fort Worth is within walking distance of a clinic.
