Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is becoming an essential issue for various reasons. First, there are several health issues likely to affect both the mother and the child. Study indicates that children born by teenage mothers are likely to suffer to more emotional, social, and health problems than those born to older mothers. Also, adolescent mothers are expected to develop medical complications such as social consequences and premature labor. There are various consequences of teen pregnancy for both the mother and the child.
First, teenage births lead to mothers depending on welfare at some point in their life due to low annual income for the mother. Another consequence is that adolescent pregnancy leads to dropping out of school for the mothers. Only about a third of teen mothers acquire a high school diploma. Teenage pregnancies lead to child and maternal mortality and may lead to a generation of ill health and poverty. The leading cause of death among girls aged between 15 to 19 years is pregnancy and childbirth complications. Another health risk associated with teenage pregnancy is eclampsia, systemic infection and puerperal endometritis that occur more regularly in girls aged between 10 to 19 years than in those aged between 20 to 24 years. Also, there are more abortions among teenage girls leading to more lasting health problems and maternal mortality.
Babies born to teenage mothers also face the issues of low birth weight severe neonatal conditions, preterm delivery, among others. Moreover, these children are likely to have low birth weight with long term effects. Rapidly repeated pregnancy is also an issue for many teenage mothers, which has further risks for both the mother and the child. There are also social consequences for the mothers and their children as they are likely to face stigmatization from the community. There is also the risk of rejection by parents and friends, and they are likely to have violence threats. Those who leave school due to early pregnancy may end up having fewer skills, which reduces their opportunities for employment leading to cycles of poverty.