Teen Pregnancy: Medical Risks and

Realities
Do you have the facts about teen pregnancy? Do you know the common early
signs of pregnancy? How to have a healthy pregnancy at a young age? Here’s
information that will help you understand teenage pregnancy.

Teen pregnancy: The facts

The teen pregnancy rate (which includes pregnancies that end in a live birth and
those that end in termination or miscarriage) has declined by 51 percent since
1991 – from 116.9 to 57.4 pregnancies per 1,000 teenage girls ages 15 to 19.
Abstinence and the use of birth control are factors in the decrease, according to
the Department of Health and Human Services.

U.S. teen birth rates have also declined. In 2015, a total of 229,715 babies were
born to women ages 15 to 19, for a birth rate of 22.3 per 1,000 women in this
age group, an 8-percent drop from 2014.

Still, the teen birth rate in the U.S. remains significantly higher than in other
developed countries, according to the CDC.

Teen pregnancy: The signs

Missing one or more menstrual periods is the classic sign of pregnancy. But this
can be tricky for teenage girls, whose periods aren't yet regular. It can also be
tricky for girls whose cycles are off as a result of excessive dieting or exercise,
low body fat from sports, or anorexia.

The full list of pregnancy signs includes:

• A missed menstrual period

• Nausea or vomiting -- called "morning sickness," though it can happen

throughout the day
 • Sudden, intense aversion to certain foods, especially meats or fatty, fried
foods

• Sore nipples or breasts

• Unusual fatigue

• Frequent urination

• Unusual mood swings

Of course, a positive pregnancy test is another sign of pregnancy. Today's

home pregnancy tests are generally considered accurate. These simple kits can
be bought over the counter in drugstores.

Teen pregnancy: Medical risks and realities

Pregnant teens and their unborn babies have unique medical risks.

Lack of prenatal care

Teenage girls who are pregnant -- especially if they don't have support from
their parents -- are at risk of not getting adequate prenatal care. Prenatal care is
critical, especially in the first months of pregnancy. Prenatal care screens for
medical problems in both mother and baby, monitors the baby's growth, and
deals quickly with any complications that arise. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid -
- ideally taken beforegetting pregnant -- are essential in helping to help prevent
certain birth defects, such as neural tube defects.

High blood pressure

Pregnant teens have a higher risk of getting high blood pressure -- called
pregnancy-induced hypertension -- than pregnant women in their 20s or 30s.
They also have a higher risk of preeclampsia. This is a dangerous medical
condition that combines high blood pressure with excess protein in the urine,
swelling of a mother's hands and face, and organ damage.

These medical risks affect the pregnant teen, who may need to take
medications to control symptoms. But they can also disrupt the unborn baby's
growth. And, they can lead to further pregnancy complications such as
premature birth.

Premature birth

A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. A baby that delivers before 37

weeks is a premature baby, or "preemie." In some cases, premature labor that
begins too early in pregnancy can be stopped by medications. Other times, the
baby has to be delivered early for the health of the mother or infant. The earlier
a baby is born, the more risk there is of respiratory, digestive, vision, cognitive,
and other problems.

Low-birth-weight baby

Teens are at higher risk of having low-birth-weight babies. Premature babies are
more likely to weigh less than they should. In part, that’s because they've had
less time in the womb to grow. A low-birth-weight baby weighs only 3.3 to 5.5
pounds (1,500 to 2,500 grams). A very-low-birth-weight baby weighs less than
3.3 pounds. Babies that small may need to be put on a ventilator in a hospital's
neonatal care unit for help with breathing after birth.

STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

For teens who have sex during pregnancy, STDs such as chlamydia and HIV
are a major concern. Using a latex condom during intercourse may help prevent
STDs, which can infect the uterus and growing baby.

Postpartum depression

Pregnant teens may be at higher risk of postpartum depression (depression that

starts after delivering a baby), according to the CDC. Girls who feel down and
sad, either while pregnant or after the birth, should talk openly with their doctors
or someone else they trust. Depression can interfere with taking good care of a
newborn -- and with healthy teenage development -- but it can be treated.

Feeling Alone and Isolated

Especially for teens who think they can't tell their parents they're pregnant,
feeling scared, isolated, and alone can be a real problem. Without the support of
family or other adults, pregnant teens are less likely to eat well, exercise, or get
plenty of rest. And they are less likely to get to their regular prenatal visits.
Having at least one trusted, supportive adult -- someone nearby in the
community, if not a family member -- is invaluable in helping them get the
prenatal care and emotional support they need to stay healthy during this time.

How to lower the health risks of teen pregnancy

If you are a teenager who is pregnant, here is how to ensure a healthy teen
pregnancy:

• Get early prenatal care. Call your doctor for your first prenatal visit as
soon as you think you might be pregnant. If you can't afford to see a
doctor, ask your school nurse or counselor to help you find a low-cost
 clinic and other resources. For example, they can help you find state
Medicaid or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) programs.

• Stay away from alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. These harm a growing
fetus even more than they harm a growing teenager. If you're not able to
quit by yourself, ask for help from someone you trust.

• Take a prenatal vitamin with at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day to
help prevent birth defects. Ideally, this should start before you get
pregnant.

• Ask for emotional support. Motherhood brings untold emotional and

practical challenges -- especially for teens still in school. Reach out to
others -- your friends, family, the baby's father -- for emotional and
practical support.

For teenagers who are healthy, chances are good of delivering a healthy, strong
baby -- especially with early prenatal care and a healthy lifestyle during
pregnancy.

WebMD Medical Reference | Reviewed by Nivin Todd, MD on October 12, 2017

Sources 
SOURCES:
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: "Pregnancy."
Nemours Foundation: "When Your Teen Is Having a Baby."
Medline Plus: "Teenage Pregnancy."
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): "Especially for Teens: Having a Baby."
Simpson, K. R., Creehan, P. A., and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Perinatal
Nursing, 2nd edition, Lippincott, 2001.
WebMD Medical News: "Postpartum Depression: How Common?"
National Center for Health Statistics: ''Vital Signs: Teen Pregnancy -- United States, 1991-2009.''
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: ''Fast Facts: Teen Pregnancy in the United States.''
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
 Centers for Disease Control: "Teen Pregnancy in the United States."
Department of Health and Human Services - HHS.gov Office of Adolescent Health: "Trends in Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing."

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