What Is Teenage Pregnancy? Teenage pregnancy is when a woman under 20 gets pregnant. It usually refers to teens between the ages of 15-19. But it can include girls as young as 10. It's also called teen pregnancy or adolescent pregnancy.
Teenage Pregnancy Symptoms: 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 dieting or exercise, low body fat from sports, or anorexia.
Impact on family when teen pregnancy occurs: the entire family will be affected which lead to stress that will affect family relationships.
The first predicament faced by the teen and her family is whether or not to continue with the pregnancy and have the baby. The teenager usually feel that she is not ready to take care of the baby and opted for abortion or may give it up for adoption.
Impact on adolescent’s mental health: Pregnant adolescent are at higher risk to get mental health problems such as depression, intense stress and pressure to become parents. They are faced with a lack of support from family and community that will lead to depression, making wrong decisions and abusing drugs. Because of the stigma of teenage pregnancy is still high in our community, pregnant teen may deal with feelings of shame, guilt, anger, denial and may lead to depression and low self-esteem. Eventually they will be afraid to seek help from friends, family or anyone about becoming pregnant which lead to further isolation from society.
Effects of abortion/termination of pregnancy: A pregnancy that result in abortion can result in long-term psychological effects on adolescent which include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, guilt feelings, sleep problems and anxiety disorders.
Social impact Stigma attached to teen pregnancy out of wedlock will make adolescent feel isolated and do not get much support from family and friends.
Health consequences of teenage pregnancy The effect of teen pregnancy to the baby
Low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg)
Early birth (premature). Pregnant adolescent often give birth earlier than expected (before 37 weeks)
Infant death. Pregnant teen often do not get adequate antenatal care which can lead to detrimental consequences for the baby. The effect of pregnancy to the teenager:
High blood pressure. Often occur during the first pregnancy (pregnancy induced hypertension)
Difficult labour. Pregnant adolescent often have high risk of obstructive labour due to small pelvic cavity which may lead to the use of tools to assist delivery (Instrumental delivery) *
Anaemia i.e it is a condition that the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells. The red blood cell's main function is to carry oxygen from the lungs and deliver it throughout our body. Red blood cells also transport waste such as carbon dioxide back to our lungs to be exhaled.
Birth complications that can result in infant death.
Financial/economic problems
Due to stigma and shame pregnant teenager are often forced to stop schooling and this will reduces their chance to hold a decent job and have a good income which will limits the opportunities to build a better life in the future. Poor income may have adverse consequences to the nutrition and care of the baby to be born.
Long-term effects
Every teenager needs to know the effects and consequences of teenage pregnancy.Pregnant teens are at higher risk of living in poverty, unable to maintain a stable job, ending up in abusive home, having children who have low grades in school and having daughters with a higher risk of becoming pregnant during teenage years.
Where to seek help
Teenager who are pregnant should seek help from trusted adult or care provider such as:
1. Parent or supportive family members
2. School counsellor or teacher
3. Health care provider
4. NGOs such as Fadaka Olufunke Foundation
Written by: Olopade Oyindamola Adesola
Organisation: Fadaka Olufunke foundation
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This is one important topic that has greatly affected the girl child in Africa. Teenage pregnancy that can result from rape or that is consensual because there is limited knowledge, counsel or guidance for the teens we have in this part of the world. Alot of self discipline should be instilled in this girls to help when they get to this stage.
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