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IRMO -- Nineteen-year-old Deana Engelkens has a good head on her shoulders.

She's a high school graduate who's now attending community college and she's making plans for a bright future.

Deana found out about three weeks ago that in nine months, she'll have another mouth to feed.  She's expecting her first baby.

"It's been very overwhelming.  Lots of plans have to change and our child is still going to be a blessing.  Just something different in our lives," Engelkens says.

Deana's boyfriend, 19-year-old John Freeman, is also gearing up for parenthood and the big lifestyle change that comes with it.

"It hasn't changed a whole lot just 'cause we just found out, but when the child comes it is going to be tight and the money is going to be tight, but you know, it's find and I'm looking forward to it," Freeman says.

Although Deana and John are upbeat about their pregnancy, they are part of a troubling trend in South Carolina and the country.

Eighteen to nineteen-year-olds account for two thirds of all teen pregnancies in the state.

Nationwide, the number of teens in that age group getting pregnant went up three percent last year.

While the pregnancy rate dropped three percent for 15 to 17 year olds.

So why should we care that more older teens are carrying diaper bags these days?

After all, they are considered adults.

"What we seen is that children born to 18 to 19 year olds have outcomes that are similar to 15 to 17 year olds," explains Shannon Flynn, Director of Research and Evaluation at the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.  "And so, while they're thought of technically as adults, we still see that they experience a lot of negative outcomes that a younger teen parent would experience."

Flynn says teen pregnancy is the number one reason students drop out of high school.

She adds, kids born to teen parents are less likely to be ready for school when they start, and the kids of teen parents are likely to become teen parents themselves.

"So it has major consequences for that young person having to take on responsibilities they aren't quite ready for and the same time it has consequences for everyone," Flynn says.

"I've never thought I'd be the type of person to be a young mom, but I don't think that it'll be a problem," Engelkens says.

"There's always a concern if you're in college now," Freeman adds.  "It ain't no picnic, but it's something I'm looking forward to 'cause it's a challenge.  I'm kind of lazy and I need a kick in the rear like this."

No matter what the future holds, Deanna and John plan on tackling it together.

They've been a couple since their junior year in high school and plan to get married someday.

They've accepted the reality of their situation, but Deanna has a message for other girls her age.

"I would tell them to wait, but if it happens I would suggest seeking out other resources that are available like counseling."

Shannon Flynn says the teen pregnancy rate for 18 to 19 year olds has increased because they haven't received the focus, attention and investment when it comes to prevention efforts that 15 to 17 year olds have.  But that's changing in South Carolina.

Her group is now working with clinics, colleges and universities across the state to provide them with the resources they need to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

In 2004, teen pregnancy cost South Carolina taxpayers $156 million for teen parents who sought help from social assistance programs.

2004 was the last time research was done on the issue, but officials say the number today could be even higher.