Teenage Pregnancy is a pregnancy in females below the age of 20. There is a higher risk of health problems for pregnant teens and their babies. “The younger the mother, the higher the risk to have complications for both the mother and the baby.”
Health Risk to Mother
– Pregnancy-related high blood pressure (gestational hypertension)
– Anemia (low level of iron in the blood)
It is recommended that teenage mothers would seek out qualified prenatal care to ensure they are receiving an adequate intake of nutrients and prenatal vitamins to prevent iron and other nutritional deficiencies
-Preterm labor
Health Risk to Baby
–Premature (when the baby is born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy)
–Low Birth Weight (baby weighs less than 5.5 pounds)
Low Birth Weight babies may have not fully developed his/her organs or immature organs which can lead to serious lung problems such as respiratory distress syndrome or difficulty controlling body temperature and blood sugar levels, and mental retardation. There has also a higher risk of dying in early infancy than among normal weight babies.
How to Prevent the Risks and Promote Optimal Health for Both the Teenage Mother and the Baby?
– Regular Prenatal visits
– Take daily prenatal vitamins to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy
– Healthy diet (foods rich in folic acid, calcium, iron, protein, and other essential nutrients)
-Regular physical activity
-Gaining the rightful amount of weight during pregnancy
Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy
– Teenage mothers most likely drop out school
– Missing out on their own childhood stage because they are busy taking care of another child
– There is an increased rate of alcohol and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning potential in teen fathers.
– Due to early pregnancy, they do not have the proper parenting skills needed in order to raise a child well.
How to Prevent or Minimize Teenage Pregnancy?
– Abstinence from engaging sexual activity at a young age.
– If sexually active, minimize sexual activity
– Teach and educate older children about sex and sexuality
