Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is roughly defined as a pregnancy that ends its term before a woman is 20 years old. Whether she's 15 or 19 going on 20, pregnancy will be one of the hardest things of her teenage years to handle. Pregnant teens need a strong support group that can help them work through the tough emotions, social stigmas and options available for handling the pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is something that needs to be talked about, especially how a pregnancy and raising a child can affect her educational or career goals.

Every option will come with its physical and emotional consequences. If a pregnant teen chooses to see the term through, either to raise it herself or to place with an adoptive family, she will need to pay close attention to her health as pregnant teens and their babies are susceptible to certain health risks. The Mayo Clinic adds that a girl under the age of 15 is at even higher risk of the following: premature labor, anemia and high blood pressure. Premature labor can lead to low birth weight and other developmental issues.

As a woman's body is changing through her teen years already, she will need to take care of herself even more so to ensure the birth of a healthy baby. Increasing her intake of certain nutrients is key to a healthy pregnancy and prenatal care with a trusted health care provider is important. The Mayo Clinic suggests that pregnant teens also get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, stay physically active, keep a healthy diet, gain weight wisely and at the discretion of her health care provider. Taking childbirth classes and abstaining from the use of drugs or alcohol are also suggested.