WDBJ-TV Anchor/Reporter
5:39 p.m. EST, December 16, 2010

Not as many teens in Virginia are getting pregnant. The state health commissioner released numbers today that show a 22 percent drop in teen pregnancies between 2000 and 2009.
"I think it's great teens are making the right choice to abstain and not get pregnant. I think that's fantastic," said Keith Farmer with Straight Street, a center in Roanoke where teenagers can hang out, find support and take part in activities.
Straight Street Director Keith Farmer said helping teens feel good about themselves is one way to cut down on teen pregnancy rates.  "Hopefully some of the things dealing with self esteem help so girls realize they don't have to give themselves away to have value. I think that's really important," Farmer said.
Another way to help cut down on teen pregnancy rates is to let  girls know what it's really like to have children in high school.  One young mother knows all too well. Now she wants teenagers to hear her story.
Krystal Woods is 21-years old now with two young children. She got pregnant at just 17.  "I never thought I would have these struggles.  I never thought I would struggle to pay bills I never thought I would struggle for food I never thought I would struggle for clothes," Woods said.
If only Krystal Woods knew at 17 what she knows now.  "You really think that you know your partner, you can be so I love and have it all figured out, but at that age you really don't," she said.  "I thought I was so in love and this person was going to take care of me and we were going to be one big happy family and it just wasn't the case."
Woods now works full time and takes classes at Virginia Western Community College.  Whiel many 21-year olds are spending time going out to clubs with friends, Woods is not.  "Social life? I don't really have one unless I am with someone else who has kids." Woods said.
Woods clearly loves her children and calls them a blessing, but they have changed her life dramatically.   While her friends from high school are graduating college this year, Woods is looking to her future.
She also has advice for teenage girls.  "I had plans to go to college plans to be a doctor. I just had everything planned out for me and then that one deicsion just changed everything," Woods said. "The only way to not get pregnant is to not have sex at all.  It protects your heart and your future in the long run."
Krystal Woods takes part in a Straight Street program for teen mothers one night a week that offers support for young mothers.

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