Facts about Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy before is not as serious as it is today. Today, teenage pregnancy is now widespread. It has become too common especially in America where in 30% of teenage girls become pregnant before they reach their 20th year. Studies have shown that even girls as young as 14 are getting pregnant and are more likely to enter into single parenthood.

Teens who got pregnant say that it happened by chance or they lack the knowledge about contraception and protection. Due to early pregnancy, these teenagers are unable to continue high school and eventually drop out of their studies.

They are not equipped with the information about teenage pregnancy and the consequences of it. They are also unaware of the health risks involved such as delivering a weak, premature baby or the possibility of a nutritional deficiency, inadequate prenatal care and worse, pregnancy complications.

Teenagers are also at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases because they lack education on sex, birth control and contraception. STD’s are highly dangerous to both the expecting teen mother and her unborn baby.

Most teenagers are into smoking, illegal drugs and alcohol drinking which are substances that can cause a miscarriage or a birth defect. They have to quit these vices to ensure a healthy and a complication-free pregnancy.

The community or the family within itself should work together to address the issue of teenage pregnancy and to prevent untoward consequences. The society should provide proper prenatal care to teenage mothers and create awareness in teenagers regarding teenage pregnancy, the consequences thereof, healthcare, and the use of protection.