Teen pregnancies can be riskier because the female body isn’t fully developed yet and carrying a baby puts an undue strain on it.
Several factors affect risks for teens that get pregnant.
This article is by By Ariane Signer first published on the babyyaga website.
Teenage girls are at higher risk of having complications during pregnancy, and there are several factors that can affect their risks. A teenage pregnancy, according to WebMD , is a pregnancy occurring in a woman between the ages of 15-19, but teens that are under the age of 15 would also fall into this category.
While many teenagers have healthy pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies, medical evidence supports that teen moms face higher risks, which include lack of adequate prenatal care, high blood pressure, premature delivery, and low-birth-weight for their babies. They are also at risk of feeling isolated during their pregnancies, and of suffering from postnatal depression after the baby is born. Here are some things to be aware of if you are a pregnant teen, or if you know someone who is.
Lack of essential prenatal care
One of the biggest risk factors in teenage pregnancies is that young girls often don’t know they are pregnant right away. Certain lifestyle factors can be detrimental to the developing baby, such as drinking, smoking, or drug use. If a teen doesn’t know she is pregnant, she is at higher risk as she will not know when to seek out proper prenatal medical care. Basic early pregnancy adjustments, like adding folic acid to the diet, avoiding certain foods, and reducing strenuous activity will likely be completely overlooked.
Complications
From a physical perspective, teenagers who get pregnant before the age of 19 are at heightened risk of several complications. Pregnancy-related anemia is very common in teenage pregnancies and can pose a health risk to both mother and baby if left untreated. Though most cases of anemia in pregnancy are mild, some women have such low levels of iron in their blood that they require an iron transfusion and hospitalization. Without having this monitored at regular screenings, a pregnant woman can end up with dizzy spells, low blood pressure, and even fainting spells.
Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related condition that affects blood pressure, can also occur in teenage pregnancies, with potentially disastrous side effects. Teen girls are also at higher risk of having complicated labours. There are higher than average incidences of premature labour in teenage pregnancies, as well as low-birth-weight babies. Teens that are younger than 15 might have more difficulty birthing their babies, due to their smaller frames and not fully developed bodies.
The baby arrives
Once the baby is born, a teenager will have a lot of adjusting when it comes to raising their baby. Parents will have to step in to help, as the teenage parent is likely still a high school student, and might choose to continue their education before stepping into the role of full-time parent. With so many different lifestyle shifts and responsibilities comes a higher risk of postnatal depression and anxiety. Teens are likely to have a harder time adjusting to parenthood, especially if the child wasn’t planned or expected. The father of the child might not be in the picture, and raising a child as a single mom while having the pressures of finishing school and finding work can be overwhelming.
While there are many resources available to help young moms find their balance and create a workable schedule, the reality is that it’s never going to be easy in the early years of teenage motherhood. Relying on parents’ help, not taking part in regular teenage activities and having a little baby to look after is a lot! In order to look after your own health and the health of your baby, make sure to reach out to someone that you trust if you find out that you are pregnant. There are lots of people that work tirelessly to help young moms find their ways. It might be tough, but it’s not impossible, and with the right focus, you will get through this!
Note: Pediatrician Tips is strictly a news and information website about pediatrics. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician, physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition for any person. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not always those of Pediatrician Tips and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pediatrics and pediatricians.