Teen pregnancy remains a sensitive topic in Singapore, and for many young girls, an unplanned pregnancy can be frightening and isolating. That’s where Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support steps in—a lifeline that provides judgement-free support for pregnant teens. With over 600 enquiries each year, this non-profit is helping hundreds of girls and families navigate one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Who Is Behind Babes? Meet Sophie Mathur
Sophie Mathur, the chairperson of Babes since 2019, is a corporate partner at the international law firm Linklaters. But her most meaningful work, she says, happens outside the courtroom.
“This space is large but overlooked,” Mathur explains. “Not many people realise how many young women in Singapore face unplanned pregnancies and how hard it is to find support when they do.”
Her commitment is deeply personal. As a mother of three who had twins at age 38, she recalls feeling scared despite having a stable job, financial security, and family support.
“So if I could feel scared, how must a teenage girl feel when she has none of that?”
What Babes Does: Two Pillars of Support
Babes operates with a two-pillar approach to helping pregnant teenagers:
1. Direct Support for Pregnant Teens
Babes runs a 24/7 helpline and WhatsApp service (Tel: 6206 6641 / WhatsApp: 8111 3535). This crisis support allows teens—or their partners or parents—to reach out the moment they need help. Trained volunteers provide confidential, non-judgmental guidance on options like:
- Continuing the pregnancy
- Considering adoption
- Exploring termination support
Case workers like Haslinda So’od and Fatimah Abdul Karim also assist with everything from hospital visits to finding affordable baby items and securing jobs. Every step of the journey is covered, even postpartum recovery.
2. Preventive and Educational Work
The second pillar is education and outreach, including:
- Talks at junior colleges, polytechnics, and youth organisations
- Social media campaigns on relationship education, contraception, and decision-making
- Partnerships with organisations like the Girl Guides Singapore
These initiatives aim to prevent teen pregnancies while also showing teens that they are not alone, no matter what path they choose.
Vanessa’s Story: From Fear to Empowerment
Vanessa, a teen who found herself pregnant and pressured by an abusive boyfriend to get an abortion, turned to Babes when she had no one else.
After reaching out to a Family Service Centre, she was referred to Babes. The team helped her prepare for childbirth, provided baby essentials like a stroller and diapers, and supported her emotionally. They even helped her find a job.
“Babes didn’t just give me things. They gave me hope,” said Vanessa.
Her story is one of hundreds that fuels Mathur’s passion and proves how vital the organisation’s work is.
Why Singapore Needs Babes
Despite a decline in the number of babies born to teen mothers (from 487 in 2013 to 218 in 2022), a 2024 SingHealth study reported a 60% increase in abortion referrals among women under 20 between 2017 and 2020.
That’s why Babes doesn’t just exist to respond—it exists to catch those who fall through the cracks.
As Mathur says:
“This is not the time to judge. It’s the time to show up.”
Volunteer Heroes: Behind the Helpline
Spradha Sinha, Babes’ lead helpline volunteer, manages a team of 30 dedicated individuals who collectively spend over 1,000 hours annually answering calls. For her dedication, she was named a finalist in the 2023 Singapore Silent Heroes Awards.
These volunteers and case workers are the quiet champions behind every story of resilience and recovery.
Changing Minds Through Compassion
When critics accuse Babes of encouraging teen pregnancy, Mathur gently refutes them. The organisation doesn’t enable poor decisions—it meets people where they are, and helps them choose better paths.
“Teens are often misunderstood. If we want a better society, we need to lift people up—not punish them for their mistakes.”
How You Can Help or Get Help
Whether you’re a teen in crisis, a parent unsure what to do, or someone who wants to support Babes’ work, you can reach them here:
📞 24/7 Helpline: 6206 6641
📱 WhatsApp: 8111 3535
📷 Instagram: @babes_sg
🌐 Website: babes.org.sg
Conclusion:
Supporting pregnant teens isn’t about condoning their decisions—it’s about compassion, guidance, and ensuring they don’t walk this journey alone. Thanks to Sophie Mathur and the team at Babes, hundreds of Singaporean teens are finding hope in the middle of crisis.
