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You can help make the future bright for you and your baby. You should arrange to see your doctor four to six weeks after the baby is born. Do it to make sure you are healthy and to talk about your future health needs, including birth control. Soon after your baby is born, you will need to visit your doctor for a postpartum visit, which is an important visit. It is very important to know all young women have the opportunity to plan their future, but still more than 60 of every 1000 teenage women gave birth. Still teenage pregnancy rates remain high, since approximately 1 million teenage girls in the US become pregnant every year. In order to lower teenage birthrates, teens must be educated about sex and the consequences of pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is an important issue because there are health risks to the baby. In addition, children born to teenage mothers are more likely to suffer health, social, and emotional problems. There is an increased risk of complications such as premature labor and socioeconomic consequences as well during teen pregnancy.
Health risks to the baby
Teenage births create health risks for the baby because teenage mothers are less likely to gain adequate weight during their pregnancy. This can lead to low birth weight, which is associated with infant and childhood disorders and a high rate of infant mortality. Low-birth weight babies are more likely to have organs that are not fully developed as well. That can result in complications such as bleeding in the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, and intestinal problems. Teenage mothers tend to have poor eating habits and are less likely to take recommended daily multivitamins to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy too. They are more likely to smoke, drink, or take drugs during pregnancy then older mothers, which can cause health problems for the baby. Teenage mothers are less likely to seek regular prenatal care, which is essential for monitoring the growth of the fetus, keeping the mother’s weight in check and advising the mother on nutrition, and how she should take care of herself to ensure a healthy pregnancy. In addition, children born to teenage mothers are less likely to receive proper nutrition, health care, cognitive and social stimulation. Because of that, they may have an underdeveloped intellect and attain lower academic achievement. Children born to teenage mothers are at a greater risk of abuse and neglect, boys born to teenage mothers are 13% more likely to be incarcerated, and girls born to teenage mothers are 22% more likely to become teenage mothers as well.
Other consequences of teenage pregnancy
Teenage births are associated with lower annual income for the mother; 80% of them eventually rely on welfare. Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school and only about one-third of teen mothers obtain a high school diploma. Teenage pregnancies are associated with an increased rate of delinquent behaviors in the fathers, including alcohol and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning potential. That is why each teenage girl and boy should know as much as possible about birth control.