Classwork Exercise and Series (Biology-SS1): Teenage Pregnancy

Biology, SS 1, Week: 7

Topic: Teenage Pregnancy

Introduction

Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in human females under the age of 20 at the time that the pregnancy ends. A pregnancy can take place in a pubertal female before marriage, which signals the possibility of fertility, but usually occurs after marriage

Teenage pregnancy is defined as pregnancy that occurs in women below the age of 20. It is common that at this age, the girl has not completed her education and is completely dependent upon her parents thus unable to provide for the unborn child.

Teenage Pregnancy Risks

Infants born to teenage mothers are at increased risk for a number of health risks. These risks include the following:

• Teenage mothers are less likely to gain adequate weight during their pregnancy, leading to low birthweight. Low birthweight is associated with several infant and childhood disorders and a higher rate of infant mortality. Low birthweight babies are more likely to have organs that are not fully developed, which can result in complications, such as bleeding in the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, and intestinal problems.
•    Teenage mothers have a higher rate of poor eating habits than older women and are less likely to take recommended daily prenatal multivitamins to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy. Teens also are more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take drugs during pregnancy, which can cause health problems for the baby.
•    Teenage mothers receive regular prenatal care less often than older women. Prenatal care is essential for monitoring the growth of the fetus and the health of the mother.

Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy

The children are:

1. Less likely to receive timely and consistent prenatal care.
2. More likely to be born prematurely, to have low birth weight and more serious medical and developmental problems.
3. More likely to live in poverty.
4. More likely to have lower academic performance, worse behavioural outcomes and become school dropouts.
5. More likely to require government assistance and taxpayer-funded programs.
6. More likely to be victims of abuse.
7. More likely to be committed to a juvenile detention facility or prison.
8. More likely to continue the cycle of teen pregnancy by engaging in sex at an earlier age.
   

The mothers are:

1. More likely to have pregnancy or delivery complications.
2. Less likely to get a high school diploma.
3. Less likely to get a college degree.
4. More likely to live in poverty.
5. Less likely to be in a stable marriage or relationship.
6. More likely to get government help such as welfare, housing assistance and food stamps.

Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy

Teen Pregnancy can be reduced through:

1. Individual ability to refuse sex (total abstinence)
2. Limit number of partners.
3. Communication with parents or other adults about sex, condoms, and contraception.
4. Avoidance of places and situations that might lead to sex
5. promoting access to accurate information on sexual and reproductive health
6. Delay Sex
7. Use Contraception: If you do choose to have sex, you need to make sure that you use protection correctly every single time you have sex. 

Note: Not having sex at all is the only 100% effective method of preventing pregnancy and STIs.

Medical Care and Support for Pregnant Teenagers

1. Emotional support: A trusted adult can offer a crucial source of emotional support for a pregnant teen. Support from a professional counselor helps teens who experience severe emotional or mental difficulties in dealing with the pregnancy
2. Financial support: Teens often lack the financial means to cover prenatal care costs and to support the baby after she is born.
3. Medical support: Prenatal care is essential to a healthy pregnancy, but many pregnant teens don’t have access to medical care.
4. Parenting skill support: Most teens, even those who choose to keep the baby, lack necessary parenting skills. Prenatal and parenting classes prepare a pregnant teen for some of the situations they will encounter, including what to expect during the labor and delivery.
5. Decision support: A pregnant teen faces the decision of whether or not to keep her baby. Support in that decision helps the teen make a decision she can live with and and helps her deal with the consequences of that decision.