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The scope of the problem -

According to the World Health Organization, every year an estimated 21 million girls aged 15–19 in developing regions become pregnant and approximately 12 million of them give birth.

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What is teen pregnancy? -

Teen pregnancy refers to pregnancy in a female under the age of 20. Teenage pregnancies are a global issue, but most often occur in poorer and marginalized communities.

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Social and cultural pressure -

Indeed, many girls in the developing world face considerable pressure to marry early and become mothers while they themselves are still children.

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Lack of information -

According to Plan International, lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights is a major cause of unwarranted pregnancies in the developing world.

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Traditional customs -

Family, community, and social pressure to marry and inadequate access to services tailored to young people also contribute to the disproportionate numbers of adolescent pregnancies.

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Cause and consequence -

The prevalence rate of child and forced marriage in many societies serves as another cause and consequence of teenage pregnancies.

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Low educational attainment -

Similarly, low educational attainment is both a cause and a consequence of teenage pregnancy.

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Sexual abuse -

Sexual violence and abuse is a very unfortunate factor in adolescent pregnancy and child maltreatment.

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Teen pregnancy in the developed world -

Many of the causes attributed to teen pregnancy in the developing world also account for those recorded in the Western industrialized world.

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Teen pregnancy rates in the United States -

The United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the developed world, higher than Canada and the United Kingdom.

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Worrying figures -

In fact, every year in the US about 750,000 teenage pregnancies occur —three out of 10 girls get pregnant before they're 20!

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Consequences of teen pregnancies -

Teen pregnancy has immediate and long-term consequences for both teen parents and their children. It also has significant social and financial consequences.

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Mental health issues -

Teen moms are twice as likely to experience postpartum depression as their adult counterparts, notes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Psychological effects -

And there's no doubt that the psychological effects of pregnancy on a teenager can be profound.

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Guilt -

Teenagers often experience a feeling of guilt at becoming pregnant, especially when imparting the news to parents, which may cause them pain and disappointment.

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Loneliness -

Absent fathers play a significant role in stories of teen pregnancy. Eight out of 10 teen dads don't marry the mother of their child. As a result, teenaged mothers often suffer from a feeling of abandonment, especially when they are left to face all the criticisms and judgments by other people, including their families.

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Anxiety -

An overwhelming feeling of anxiety can engulf a pregnant teenager. The prospect of giving birth and raising a child at such a tender age is daunting. A teen mom will very likely have to give up her studies and find a job to meet the financial burden of looking after a newborn.

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Depression -

Aligned with anxiety and loneliness is depression. An unwanted pregnancy can cause a young mom to spiral into a depressive state, with thoughts about their situation and how they'll survive uppermost in their mind.

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Discrimination -

A pregnant teenager will very likely be judged by their peers. Teen pregnancy is frowned upon by many, with society always eager to point the finger of blame. Often it's the parents who are castigated for not being strict enough in raising their child.

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Health risks of teen pregnancy -

Adolescent pregnancy brings with it a raft of health risks.

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Preeclampsia -

Preeclampsia (high blood pressure caused by pregnancy) is more common in teenagers than in women of reproductive age.

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Puerperal endometritis -

Teen moms also lend themselves to higher instances of puerperal endometritis, an inflammation and infection of the uterus.

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Life-threatening disorders -

And babies of adolescent mothers face increased risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and severe neonatal conditions. These are life-threatening disorders.

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Delivering a healthy child -

While inherent risks exist, teen mons can have healthy babies. But proper obstetrical care throughout the pregnancy is vital to the health and well-being of both the mother and the child. 

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Things to avoid -

As with any pregnancy, alcohol and tobacco use should be avoided, period. And illicit drug use is also a strict no-no.

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Seek proper medical care -

All pregnant women require proper medical care. But because their bodies are still developing, seeing a doctor regularly is especially important for expectant teenagers.

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Preventing teenage pregnancy -

Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the one absolutely effective way of preventing pregnancy. But there are other ways of a teen reducing their chances of becoming pregnant if they're sexually active.

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Engage with parents -

Parents and their teenaged offspring need to engage in conversation about sex, love, and relationships early and on a regular basis. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy lists useful tips for parents in broaching this sensitive and sometimes awkward subject.

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Sex education -

Sex education is important in providing information about birth control and helping teens understand their own sexual limits and the consequences of exploring beyond those boundaries. Taught in a more academic and neutral setting, it helps teenagers feel more at ease with the subject.

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Best time to get pregnant? -

If a child is truly desired, the best time for a woman to get pregnant is between her late twenties and early thirties, according to the experts.

See also: Baby's first year—how to prepare for and prevent illnesses

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