In the United States, there are 4 out of 10 girls who will be pregnant before they reach the age of 20. In fact, it is estimated that there are around one million pregnancies all over the country, and 560,000 will choose to give birth to their child.
The risks of teenage pregnancy problems may begin once the teenager becomes sexually active. Most of them say that they weren’t planning to have sex in the first place – it just happened, and they’re not able to use any protection.
Health Risks of the Teenage Mother
A teenager’s body is still growing, and she would require more nutritional support to meet her baby’s needs. Therefore, prenatal care is important, and a large part of this is nutritional counseling (this is usually done by a midwife, nutritionist, or a doctor).
Counseling normally gives education and a lot of information including folic acid, other prenatal vitamins, and proper eating and drinking. This is critical because if the teenager will not follow proper nutrition, it would lead to teenage pregnancy problems such as low weight gain, anemia (low iron), and prolonged or premature labor.
Health Risks of the Unborn Child
Once a teenager becomes pregnant, it is normal for prenatal care to get delayed. This is because they often have denial, deferred pregnancy testing, and fear of telling other people about their condition.
Another concern is the use of alcohol and drugs, as well as cigarette smoking. If the teenage mother used any of these during her pregnancy, it will increase the probability of teenage pregnancy problems such as physical disabilities (immature heart or lungs) or brain defects (mental retardation) in her child.
Financial Risks of Teenage Pregnancy
More often than not, the future is not always promising for the teenage mother. According to R.A. Maynard, author of “Economic Costs and Social Consequences of Teen Pregnancy,” here are some statistics:
• 2 out of 3 teenagers who became pregnant drop out of school.
• Without finishing their studies, these teenagers lack the job skills needed for them to get good jobs.
• Income of teenage mothers may be very low (compared to those giving birth in their 20s or 30s). As such, these teens may become dependent on welfare or their family for financial support.
And if you are one of them, Robin Elise Weiss (postpartum and childbirth educator), says “Majority of your teenage pregnancy problems may be avoided with early prenatal care, proper nutrition, and support from family, friends, and community. Just decide to take an active role in caring for your baby in spite of the hardships that you are facing in your life.”