5 teen mums speak out

Holly is unusual. She got pregnant with her partner when she was 17, and had her daughter when she was 18. Although they had not been together long, the pregnancy was planned. 'We already had our own place and were financially and emotionally secure,' she says. 'It was no different to what we expected, and I think it was the right time.'

But how did Holly know at the age of 17 that she was ready for motherhood? Why did she decide to bypass such a huge part of her childhood to go straight into making a family and settling down? 'I knew Paul was the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,' she says. 'It was as simple as that; what I felt for him was different and I just knew. I still know he is the one for me and always will be'.

People may be sceptical of her reasons, but it seems that becoming pregnant has actually opened doors for Holly. Before she got pregnant she was disillusioned by her academic studies and unsure of what she wanted from life. Now she is studying to gain access to a university and plans to study midwifery.

Holly dismisses any notion that she deserves more help from government bodies because of her age. 'I don't expect the government to help me, it was my decision to become a mum and I think people should work for what they get, not expect handouts,' she says. 'I am no different to other mothers just because of my age; why should I be treated differently?'

Some statistics have shown that teen pregnancy is cyclical; if you have your children early, then it is likely that they, too, will be young parents. I asked Holly how she was going to explain sex and pregnancy to her kids. 'I will tell them from a young age,' she says, 'I wouldn't necessarily say that I would encourage them to wait, as it is up to them to decide, but I will encourage them to carry condoms with them at all times. I think the most important thing is to have a good friendship with your child, so they feel confident to come to you for advice if they have a problem.'

Holly agrees that teenage pregnancy is a problem in the UK. 'I know I sound hypocritical as I am a young mum, but my situation was slightly different, I recently heard of a 12 year-old girl who kept the baby, it made me sick. At 12 you are a child, the decision should have been taken out of her hands.'

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