Teenage Pregnancy
Most teenagers don’t plan to get pregnant, but many do. Teen pregnancies carry extra health risks to the mother and the baby:
- Often, teenagers don’t receive timely prenatal care, and they have a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure.
- Risks for the baby include premature birth and a low birthweight.
If you’re a pregnant teenager, you can help yourself and your baby by:
- Scheduling an appointment with your health care provider or local women’s clinic
- Taking your prenatal vitamins for your health and to prevent some birth defects
- Avoiding smoking, alcohol and drugs
- Using a condom, if you are still having sex, to prevent sexually transmitted diseases that could hurt your baby.
Resources
- Having a Healthy Pregnancy (Nemours Foundation)
- How do I Know if I’m Pregnant? (JAMA-American Medical Assoc.)
- Teenage Pregnancy Facts (March of Dimes)
- Can a girl get pregnant if she has sex during her period?? (Kids Health .org)