Adolescent pregnancy

Alternative names:

pregnancy - teenage; teenage pregnancy

Treatment:

Review pregnancy options thoroughly and make them known and available to pregnant teens. Abortion is a potential option but states vary regarding an unmarried adolescent's ability to legally obtain this means of terminating a pregnancy without parental consent. In the case of married teens, consent of the husband may be required. Giving up infants for adoption after delivery is another option, but the majority of pregnant teens choose to continue their pregnancies and keep their infants.

Early and adequate prenatal care, preferably through a program that specializes in teenage pregnancies, ensures a healthier baby. Smoking, alcohol use, and drug abuse should be strongly discouraged, and support methods should be offered to assist the pregnant teen in terminating such behaviors. Adequate nutrition must be assured through both education and the availability of community resources. Appropriate exercise and adequate sleep should also be emphasized. Contraceptive information and services are important, following delivery, to deter adolescents from becoming pregnant again. Pregnant (and post-delivery) teens should be encouraged and helped to remain in school or re-entering educational programs targeting skills that will enable them to provide for their child financially, emotionally, and with appropriate parenting. Accessible and affordable child care is an important factor in teen mothers continuing school and/or entering the work force.

Expectations (prognosis):

Women having a first child during adolescence are more likely to have an increased rate of childbearing and more total births. They are less likely to receive child support from biological fathers, less likely to complete their education or work in some type of vocation, and less likely to establish independence and financial security adequate to provide for themselves and their children without outside resources. Married teen mothers are more likely to experience divorce (80% or greater chance) than those married women who postpone childbearing until their 20's.

Complications:

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with higher rates of illness and death for both the mother and infant. Teenage girls are not only less ready than older women EMOTIONALLY to have a baby, they are less ready PHYSICALLY to have a health baby.

Pregnant teens are at much higher risk of having serious medical complications such as toxemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, significant anemia, premature delivery, and/or placenta previa. The maternal death rate for mothers 15 years old or younger is 60% greater than that of women in their 20's.

Infants born to teens are 2 to 6 times more likely to have low birth weight than those born to mothers 20 years old or older. Prematurity plays the greatest role in this, but intrauterine growth retardation (inadequate growth of the fetus during pregnancy) is also a factor. Teenage mothers are more likely to demonstrate behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, or drug abuse; poor and inconsistent nutrition; or multiple sexual partners. This may place the infant at greater risk for inadequate growth, infection, or chemical dependence. The risk of an infant dying during the first year of life increases as the age of the mother decreases below 20 years.

Thus, it is VITALLY important for pregnant teens to have EARLY and ADEQUATE prenatal care!

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of pregnancy occur in a teen.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if counseling regarding birth control methods or other information is desired, particularly if a teen exhibits behaviors or has a history associated with higher risk for adolescent pregnancy, if a teen is confronted with peer pressure or is having personal thoughts to engage in sexual activity, or if a teen is already involved in sexual activity, with or without using contraception.