Teenage pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs in an adolescent. An adolescent is a female who has reached puberty and is 19 years old or younger. Puberty is the stage
of adolescence when a girl can sexually reproduce.
What is going on in the body?
A young woman can become pregnant even before her first menstrual cycle. Ovulation, release
of an egg from the ovary, may occur before the first period. In the absence of
birth control, the
egg can become fertilized.
Penetration does not have to occur for a teenager to become pregnant. Sperm in
the area of the external vulva can cause pregnancy. Teens need to understand a woman's body and how
it functions before they become sexually active.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
The ultimate cause of teenage pregnancy is unprotected intercourse. This
results in fertilization of the egg by the sperm. Risk factors for teenage
pregnancy include the following:
delinquency
depression
exposure to child abuse
high-risk behaviors, such as
smoking, alcohol
use, and drug
abuse
limited job opportunities
low academic interest and achievement
poverty
previous unplanned teenage pregnancy
sexual
abuse
single-parent homes
social isolation
stress
trouble in school or with the law
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Symptoms of
pregnancy include the following:
breast tenderness
drowsiness and moodiness
irregular vaginal spotting or bleeding
nausea
stomach cramping or bloating
vomiting
Many teenagers do not want to tell anyone about a pregnancy. Symptoms often go unnoticed by friends and family. The teenager with irregular
periods may not even realize she is pregnant until late in the pregnancy.
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the condition diagnosed?
The diagnosis of pregnancy begins with a medical history and physical exam. Any
teenage woman with irregular or
absent periods should have a serum
pregnancy test. An early diagnosis of pregnancy helps the teenager
to adjust emotionally and physically. Early prenatal care is essential.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Programs that delay attempts at sexual intercourse are the
first line of defense. Parents can have open, honest, and educational talks
at home. Professionals can
help parents obtain educational materials. They can also give advice to
teenagers about how to prevent pregnancies.
Prevention may include easy access to birth control.
Emergency contraception may be discussed with all sexually
active teenagers.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
The long-term effects of teenage pregnancy are far reaching. Single motherhood
is associated with the following:
additional unwanted pregnancies
child behavioral problems
continued poverty and welfare dependency
depression
exposure to domestic violence
limited job opportunities
low level of education
medical problems, such as
pelvic inflammatory disease
social isolation
substance abuse
It can be overwhelming when an infant is born prematurely. The needs of
the infant may be too difficult for the teen to deal with.
What are the risks to others?
Infants born to teenage mothers are at higher risk of the following:
accidental injury and poisoning
behavior problems
complications of
prematurity
developmental delays and
learning disabilities
exposure to domestic violence
lack of immunization or vaccinations
minor acute infections
poverty
premature birth
sudden infant death
syndrome, or SIDS
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the condition?
A pregnant teenager should be treated for sexually transmitted diseases as needed.
Counseling about the signs of early labor should be given. An evaluation by
a social worker during the pregnancy is advisable. This is done to determine
the home environment in which the infant will live.
The pregnancy may end in the following ways:
C-section
elective medical abortion
elective surgical abortion
miscarriage
vaginal delivery
Medications used during these procedures include the following:
anesthesia
antibiotics to prevent or treat infection
medications to prevent labor
medicines to start labor
pain
medications
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Abortion, miscarriage, and delivery can all cause bleeding, infection, or
allergic reaction to
anesthesia. Medications
used can cause stomach upset,
rash, and allergic
reactions.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Birth control counseling can help prevent repeat teenage pregnancies. Abstinence, or not having sex, should
also be discussed.
How is the condition monitored?
The health of mother and baby are monitored by regular visits to the healthcare
provider. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the provider.
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