A 'Teen Mom' Speaks: Catelynn Tells Teens 'Think Twice' Before Having Sex And 'Use Protection'

At 16, Catelynn Lowell allowed MTV cameras--and people across the country--to witness her give up her newborn baby for adoption just hours after giving birth on "16 and Pregnant." Today, two years since having baby Carly, Catelynn explains why she's still happy with her decision and shares her tough reality with other teens: "It only takes one time for you to bring a baby into this world when you're not ready."

What’s it like balancing motherhood (as a birth parent), relationships, school and friends?
It's really hard sometimes balancing being a birth mom, school, relationships and friends. I just have to split my time evenly, but I do focus on school first. Then when I have free time I like to hang out with friends.

Did you know how to protect yourself before you got pregnant?
Before I got pregnant I knew what birth control and condoms were. I never knew how to get birth control and I guess I was afraid of everyone knowing I was having sex. I did know how to use condoms for protection and we have used them.

What’s the one thing you wish you knew before you started having sex, that you know now?
I wish that I would have known how to get birth control. If someone would have talked to me about getting on birth control then I would have.

Some, including Kim Kardashian, have criticized "Teen Mom" and "16 & Pregnant" as glamorizing teen pregnancy. How glamorous has your life been since having a baby and appearing on the show?
My life has been anything but glamorous! I have had to struggle to get through school. I went through depression with the decision I made. Also, just going through life knowing you have a child out there is hard.

What do you think is the best way to prevent teen pregnancy?
Obviously abstinence is the only way pregnancy is 100 percent preventable. Besides being abstinent, you should look up different birth control methods and use condoms. Just know that it can only take one time and you can get pregnant. So PLEASE use protection.

Do you think it’s important to educate other young people about contraception? And what’s the most important thing you think they should know?
I think that the more people are taught about contraception, the more they will listen and use it. The number one thing I think teens should know is that it's OK to talk and learn about it. It's also OK to use it even if someone tells you " it's not cool."

Tomorrow is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. What message or advice do you want to share with teens on this day?
The advice I would give is to think twice before you have sex, and make sure you're using protection. It only takes one time for you to bring a baby into this world when you're not ready. Then you have to grow up and make bigger decisions than you ever thought you would have to. So think twice before you're stuck with an unexpected pregnancy.

MTV Act is all about young people taking action on issues that matter. What are some issues you care about?
Some issues I care about are adoption, teen pregnancy and those babies affected by being raised by teen moms. I just hope that my story will help girls that are stuck in a situation like teen pregnancy, and help them make a great choice like adoption.

For information on how to prevent teen pregnancy, head to www.ItsYourSexLife.com.