Teenage Pregnancy

By Floramae Malazarte

One cited reason for adverse outcomes in teenage pregnancy is the gynaecological immaturity of mothers. Many adolescent girls continue to grow when pregnant. Though weight gain and increased fat stores are often experienced during pregnancy by adolescent mothers, their babies have lower fetal growth rates as a result of the competition for nutrients between the maternal body and the growing baby. During birth, there is also the increased likelihood of obstructed labour for adolescent mothers because of their small, underdeveloped pelvises.

TEENAGE girls account for nearly one quarter of all births - fact that leads to collective worry, sermons, finger-pointing and, occasionally, over-the-top demands by anxious politicians.

The relationship between violence and women's reproductive lives is a relatively new line of inquiry. In June 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a national conference on the topic, with three main objectives: to assess the state of the research, to increase awareness and understanding of the possible associations between violence against women and their reproductive lives, and to lay the groundwork for future research and action. The conference addressed the association between violence and such specific topics as pregnancy intentions, contraceptive use, pregnancy termination and pregnancy outcomes.

Listed below are some of the many risks and complications that can occur as a result of teenage pregnancy.

Low Birth Weight - Teenagers are less likely to gain the extra weight they need during their pregnancy, leading to a low birth weight. Low birth weight, in turn, is associated with many and varied childhood disorders, and also has a high rate of infant mortality. Infants who are born with a low birth weight often have organs that aren't developed fully, which can result in something as serious as bleeding in the brain. If you are a pregnant teenager, it is very important that you make sure you gain adequate weight to avoid such health risks.

Premature Babies - Teenage mothers are far more likely to give birth to premature babies, which pose serious and sometimes fatal risks for the baby. Most commonly, premature babies are at a much higher risk than full term babies to develop bleeding in the brain, serious retinal problems, intestinal problems, and even sudden infant death syndrome, which is the unexpected and unexplainable death of a baby in their sleep. Even if none of these happen, a premature baby is much more prone to face a lifetime of many health problems - seizures, developmental delays, and even cerebral palsy.

The information on this page is not intended to be a criticism towards teenage pregnancy; rather it is geared towards highlighting the risks involved. We strongly recommend that if you or your child is a teenager and pregnant, that you should always go to your prenatal care visits. And no matter what else you to, at the very least be sure to take your vitamins and eat a healthy diet - always keep a record and maintain a good pregnant weight, but don't do it by eating junk.

Floramae Malazarte is a writer. She loves collecting books about Romance and Health. Learn more about it by clicking this site http://socialissues.wiseto.com, try also http://www.medicalinfopedia.com