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8.1.1 Health risks of early pregnancy

Pregnancy before the age of 18 has several health risks (Fig 8.1).

Some of these health risks include:

Prolonged or obstructed labour: adolescents younger than 18often have not reached physical maturity and when they become

pregnant, their pelvises may be too narrow to accommodate the

baby's head during delivery. In these cases, obstructed delivery

and prolonged labour are more likely, thereby increasing the risk

of haemorrhage (bleeding), infection and fistula.

Pre-eclampsia (hypertension in pregnancy) is common in

adolescent pregnancy. If it is left uncontrolled, it can progress to

extreme hypertension. This condition could lead to the death of

both the young mother and the baby.

Premature birth and stil birth: infants born to adolescent mothers

are more likely to be premature, of low birth weight, and to suffer

consequences of retarded fetal growth. Stillbirth is more common

among adolescent mothers than older mothers.

8.1.2 Psychological and other consequences of earlypregnancy for girls

Figure 8.2 A young pregnant girl watches sadly as her friends go

to school.

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Some of the consequences are:

Pregnancy often means the end of formal education for

adolescents because they drop out of school when they

become pregnant. (Figure 8.2)

Adolescent pregnancy changes a girls choice of career,

opportunities and future marriage. Mostly unmarried mothers

resort to low-paying and risky jobs, domestic work, and even

prostitution to support their children.

Early marriage due to an unplanned pregnancy is frequently

an unhappy, unstable one that leads to divorce. Both mother

and child face the stigma of illegitimacy when marriage

doesnt take place or when divorce occurs.

Young mothers are often ill-prepared to raise a child, whichmay lead to childrearing problems like child abuse or neglect.

Girls resorting to prostitution due to early and unwanted

pregnancy are at higher risk of gender-based violence,

substance abuse, and STIs such as HIV.

EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY:

SOCIALLY

ECONOMICALLY

Emotional Effect of Early pregnancy to Teenagers

Teenagers are not supposed to be pregnant because of their age.Unfortunately, many women aged 13-17, get pregnant every year.

Most of them are not yet ready to be mothers.

A. Emotional Effect

There are various emotional effects of early pregnancy to teenagers.

1. Initial excitement

Some teenagers are excited to bear a child, especially when it is theirfirst pregnancy. They are excited to see their baby. Others are excited

to buy clothes and other things for the baby. They think of names for

the baby.

2. Confuse

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Some are confused and at a loss on what to do. They are too youngand many have no idea about bearing a child.

3. Afraid

Some are scared. They think of questions like, How should I tell myparents? How will I face my classmates? or What is the best thingto do to solve this problem? They are afraid to answer these

questions.ey feel scared on what will be the reactions of their parents.

4. Frustrated

Frustration comes later. Pregnant teenagers will realize that they are

not yet ready to bear a child when its already late.

B. Emotional Effect to Love Ones

Being pregnant makes ones life complicated. It can affect you andyour love ones.

1. Family

Parents expect their children to be good. They expect that all the good

things from their children.

Some emotional effects to family are:

a. Frustrated or Disappointment

Many parents are not happy about the early pregnancy of children.

They expect help in their old age, but their pregnant child might havesome other plans.

b. Excitement

Others are excited about a new family member.

2. Friends

Friends might be disappointed if they know that you are pregnant.They might be shocked because at your young age you will be amother.

Physical Effect of Teenage Pregnancy

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Changes can be observed in a pregnant woman. Diet and exercise are

necessary.

Changes in a pregnant teenagers body

1. Increase in Body Weight

2. Increase of Foot Size

3. Increase of Breast Size

4. The darkening of Cheeks and Forehead

Mental Effect of Early Pregnancy

Among the issues encountered by a pregnant teenager are:

A. Depression

It is common among pregnant teenager who are desperate to solvetheir problems.

Some teenagers try to solve their problem by:

1. Abortion

It is the removal of a fetus from the mothers womb. Abortion is

illegal. About 300,000 to 500,000 women undergo abortion every

year.

Article 256, 258 and 259 in the Revised Penal Code of the Philippinepenalize women who undergo abortion and others who help her with

imprisonment. Some teenager, however, think that abortion is a wayto solve their problem.

2. Suicide

Some teenagers think of suicide.

Resources:

http://www.optionline.org/cause-teen-pegnancy.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/teenage-pregnancy?ref=psweboffice

WHAT IS TEENAGE PREGNANCY?

Teenage pregnancy is the state of being pregnant at the age before a girl

reaches the age of maturity (usually between the ages 13-17).

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Teenage pregnancy seems to be rampant nowadays. The advancement in

technology and communication has led teenagers these days to be exposed to

more information, fueling curiosity. Many enter into relationships at an early age

without considering their future. Poor or rich, more young people these days

enter into relationships without thinking about the negative outcomes.

Innocent about how to rear a child and find a job, many become pregnant..

Parents are not lacking in reminding their children, but sometimes the temptation

is strong. Teenagers sometimes insist on what they want to do. In the provinces,

they elope. Teenage pregnancy would sometimes bring shame to a family.