Introduction
Teenage pregnancy is
the pregnancy that occurs before the age of 20 years in a girl’s life. It is an
accident or an unexpected pregnancy mainly because of the developmental stage
of the hopeless mother. It is caused by the teenager sexual misconduct.
Pregnancy during adolescent can cause physical, social and economic problems
for young people. It is important to know that adolescents are not yet ready to
support or care for a child, so it is better to avoid pregnancy at this stage.
the pregnancy that occurs before the age of 20 years in a girl’s life. It is an
accident or an unexpected pregnancy mainly because of the developmental stage
of the hopeless mother. It is caused by the teenager sexual misconduct.
Pregnancy during adolescent can cause physical, social and economic problems
for young people. It is important to know that adolescents are not yet ready to
support or care for a child, so it is better to avoid pregnancy at this stage.
Facts about Teenage Pregnancy
1.
Babies born by young girls have lower birth weights than normal babies
Babies born by young girls have lower birth weights than normal babies
2.
Teenage girls may have problems during pregnancy and childbirth since
their bodies are not developed.
Teenage girls may have problems during pregnancy and childbirth since
their bodies are not developed.
3.
Teenage girls who mixed different drinks and drugs (concoctions) to
commit abortion put their lives in serious danger.
Teenage girls who mixed different drinks and drugs (concoctions) to
commit abortion put their lives in serious danger.
4.
Teenage girls often drop out of school during pregnancy and may face
economic hardship (lack of money).
Teenage girls often drop out of school during pregnancy and may face
economic hardship (lack of money).
5.
Teenage mothers who are unmarried also face shame in the society.
Teenage mothers who are unmarried also face shame in the society.
Causes of Teenage Pregnancy
1.
Poor understanding of the menstrual cycle.
Poor understanding of the menstrual cycle.
2.
Lack of information on sexuality
Lack of information on sexuality
3.
Desire for money and material things
Desire for money and material things
4.
Poor parental guidance
Poor parental guidance
5.
Competition (Desire to be like others)
Competition (Desire to be like others)
6.
Poverty
Poverty
7.
Single parenthood
Single parenthood
8.
Lack of education on safe sex
Lack of education on safe sex
9.
Lack of use of contraceptives
Lack of use of contraceptives
Effects of Teenage Pregnancy
To be discussed under the following
subheadings;
subheadings;
1.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy
2.
During labour and delivery
During labour and delivery
3.
After delivery
After delivery
4.
Social effect.
Social effect.
Effect on Teenage
Pregnancy during Pregnancy are;
Pregnancy during Pregnancy are;
1. Anaemia in Pregnancy: Anaemia simply means shortage of blood. Take case of teenager with
pregnancy from a low social economic class (poverty). Now the foetus (baby) all
depends on the mother for food. Whether the mother has eaten or not it does not
know but it will continue to get food from the placenta. In this case, the
teenager will not use this nutrient for her own growth and development but for
her baby so she will be lacking blood and nutrient for survival.
pregnancy from a low social economic class (poverty). Now the foetus (baby) all
depends on the mother for food. Whether the mother has eaten or not it does not
know but it will continue to get food from the placenta. In this case, the
teenager will not use this nutrient for her own growth and development but for
her baby so she will be lacking blood and nutrient for survival.
2. Malaria/Infection in Pregnancy: In this aspect, we talk about the body inability to
fight against germs. This is as a result of her inadequate nutrition to help
her, so lacks of immunity. The chance of infection resistance is no longer
there. So any infection that comes stands a chance of affecting her.
fight against germs. This is as a result of her inadequate nutrition to help
her, so lacks of immunity. The chance of infection resistance is no longer
there. So any infection that comes stands a chance of affecting her.
3. Social Effect
a. Stigmatization: This is the feeling of rejection by the teenager. This can come from her
school mates, teachers and church members. Family friends particularly those
close to the pregnant teenager make mockery of her, gossiping her and even
extend the gossip to the parent of the girl.
school mates, teachers and church members. Family friends particularly those
close to the pregnant teenager make mockery of her, gossiping her and even
extend the gossip to the parent of the girl.
b. Dropping out of School: Teenage pregnancy will cause the girl to stay back at home on grounds of
sickness such as malaria, typhoid etc. until the pregnancy is confirmed. When
the pregnancy is confirmed, its alarming news gets to the school, abuses and
stigmatization from teachers and fellow students. All pregnant teenagers have
no option than to attend school for the moment.
sickness such as malaria, typhoid etc. until the pregnancy is confirmed. When
the pregnancy is confirmed, its alarming news gets to the school, abuses and
stigmatization from teachers and fellow students. All pregnant teenagers have
no option than to attend school for the moment.
Signs of Teenage Pregnancy
Missing one or more
menstrual periods is the classic sign of pregnancy. But this can be strictly
for teenage girls whose periods are not yet regular. It can also be can tricky
for girls whose cycles are off as a result of excessive dieting or excessive,
low body fat from sports or anorexia.
menstrual periods is the classic sign of pregnancy. But this can be strictly
for teenage girls whose periods are not yet regular. It can also be can tricky
for girls whose cycles are off as a result of excessive dieting or excessive,
low body fat from sports or anorexia.
The full list of
pregnancy signs include;
pregnancy signs include;
1.
A missed menstrual period
A missed menstrual period
2.
Nausea or vomiting called “morning sickness” though it happens
throughout the day.
Nausea or vomiting called “morning sickness” though it happens
throughout the day.
3.
Sudden, intense aversion to certain foods especially meat fatty, fried
foods.
Sudden, intense aversion to certain foods especially meat fatty, fried
foods.
4.
Sore nipples or breast.
Sore nipples or breast.
5.
Unusual fatigue
Unusual fatigue
6.
Frequent urination
Frequent urination
7.
Unusual mood swings.
Unusual mood swings.
Of course a positive pregnancy test is another sign
of pregnancy. Today’s home pregnancy test is generally considered accurate.
of pregnancy. Today’s home pregnancy test is generally considered accurate.
Medical Risk and Realties
1.
Lack of parental care
Lack of parental care
2.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure
3.
Premature birth
Premature birth
4.
Low – birth – weight body
Low – birth – weight body
5.
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
6.
Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression
7.
Feeling alone and isolated.
Feeling alone and isolated.
How to Lower Risk of Teen Pregnancy
If you are a teenager
who is pregnant, here is how to ensure a healthy teen pregnancy;
who is pregnant, here is how to ensure a healthy teen pregnancy;
1.
Get early prenatal care
Get early prenatal care
2.
Stay away from alcohol, drugs and cigarettes
Stay away from alcohol, drugs and cigarettes
3.
Take a prenatal vitamin
Take a prenatal vitamin
4.
Ask for emotional support.
Ask for emotional support.
For teenagers who are health, chances are good of
delivery a healthy, strong baby especially with early prenatal and a healthy
lifestyle during pregnancy.
Ways to Reduce Teen Pregnancy (Contraceptives)
1.
Abstinence: Avoid sexual intercourse before marriage
Abstinence: Avoid sexual intercourse before marriage
2.
Condoms: The use of condoms to prevent
pregnancy
Condoms: The use of condoms to prevent
pregnancy
3.
Contraception: In order to prevent unwanted pregnancy
Contraception: In order to prevent unwanted pregnancy
If by mistake pregnancy occurs, parents should
support the teenager and help them get the necessary care and not to be
stigmatized and isolated.
support the teenager and help them get the necessary care and not to be
stigmatized and isolated.
