Teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is a multifaceted issue that affects parents, the public and, of course, medicine. Let's look at the main aspects of this issue and prevention options.

Teenage motherhood has not lost its relevance over the years, and today it is at the peak of its significance. This is not surprising, since this event is distressing and burdensome for everyone, both for relatives and for teenagers. It complicates the choice of a further life path, limits the possibility of obtaining an education and future career growth, and most importantly, it puts health at risk.

• From a physiological point of view, the process of bearing a child is much more difficult than in adults. The whole point is that the body of the future young mother is not yet fully formed, and the birth process is very often complicated by trauma to the genitals, miscarriage, and miscarriages. Children of young mothers suffer from hypoxia, have smaller height and weight, and congenital pathologies.
• If we consider the issue from a psychological point of view, it has a negative impact on the socialization process. Since young mothers are treated with prejudice by their peers, adults and even relatives. In such a difficult situation, it is necessary to support the child, even if the current situation seems wrong to you. The main task is not to leave young parents alone with the problem.

As a warning, a set of measures aimed at nurturing a serious attitude to family values is used. That is, familiarization with contraceptives is not yet a solution to the problem. It is necessary to explain the expediency of their use. It is recommended to let children participate in caring for younger ones from time to time, this will help to understand what care is and determine the readiness to take responsibility. But the primary task is to closely monitor the physical changes of the child and talk about motherhood and possible problems of family life.

The problem of teenage pregnancy

The problem of motherhood at a young age remains significant for many years. And this is not surprising, this event leaves its mark on the future fate of young parents. Carrying a child in young mothers proceeds in a special way and is accompanied by a number of problems. The only advantage is that young girls are fertile compared to adult women, that is, their reproductive system is healthy, so conception occurs quickly.

But the body is not ready to bear a new life, since the hormonal balance has not yet stabilized, the pelvic bones have not expanded, that is, the body is in the growth stage. There is a high risk of severe toxicosis, infant and maternal mortality, miscarriage. The probability of death for a 15-year-old woman in labor is much higher than for an adult woman. As for abortion at a young age, this can lead to very serious consequences. Most often, these are severe bleeding, adhesions in the ovaries and fallopian tubes, blood poisoning, perforation of the uterus and infertility. In addition to physiological problems, one should not forget about psychological ones.

• The decision on whether to keep or leave the future child must be made taking into account all factors. First of all, the opinion of the future mother should be taken into account. There is no need to cause additional trauma to the adolescent psyche by forcing her to have an abortion, give birth or give up for adoption.
• You need to go to a women's clinic and undergo a full examination. Since very often sex at an early age leads to STDs, and the pregnancy turns out to be ectopic. After visiting the hospital, you can seek help from a psychologist or talk to your daughter yourself. The task of the parents at this stage is to find out whether their child's condition is the result of violence or seduction.
• If a decision is made to have an abortion, it is better to do the procedure early and in a medical facility. You should not wait until artificial labor is induced, as this is dangerous for the girl's psyche and health. In any case, a long recovery period awaits.

All responsibility in this matter falls on the parents. It is necessary to keep absolutely everything under control, from nutrition to visiting the hospital. Support is required from the immediate environment, that is, peers and friends during such a difficult period. If a decision was made to keep the child, then the expectant mother will have to learn how to run a household, care for a newborn and breastfeed.

Teenage Pregnancy Statistics Around the World

Despite the great information content on this issue, the statistics remain relevant today. About 75% of girls have late-term abortions, which leads to infertility, 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriages and only 13% in childbirth with possible complications. The tragedy of the situation is that motherhood, which is a joy in itself, becomes a problem and a real tragedy for young parents. It entails major psychological problems and very dangerous health complications.

In 1939, the earliest and most successful pregnancy was recorded in Peru. At the age of 5.5, Liina Medina gave birth to a healthy boy weighing 2.7 kg. This event was listed in the Guinness Book of Records, and the girl was recognized as the youngest mother in the world. A similar case occurred in Russia with a 6-year-old girl. Such an early development of the reproductive system is a rare case, but sometimes occurs in medical practice.

Young motherhood is one of the main causes of mortality for both mother and child. The World Health Organization has released a brochure that outlines the main factors and recommendations for preventing this trend.

• Every year, 16 million girls (one in five) become pregnant worldwide. Most often, this happens in low-income countries. 3 million girls aged 15-19 have abortions every year.
• More than a third of girls in some countries report that their first sex was forced and resulted in an abortion or an unwanted child.

Based on this information, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution calling on states to take measures to improve the health of young people. In this regard, policies on protection against early childbearing and access to contraception were reviewed. Access to information on reproductive and sexual health at an early age and marriage was ensured.

Causes of Teenage Pregnancy

There are many reasons for pregnancy during puberty, and it is not always due to promiscuity or ignorance. It can be due to coercive factors, violence, or lack of sex education.

• Lack of sexual education or its absence. In any case, all responsibility falls on the parents' shoulders. Many parents do not always find time for a frank conversation with their child, and some adults themselves lead an asocial lifestyle, thereby setting the wrong example.
• Sex education classes should be available in schools, but most often they are not. Responsibility also falls on social services and psychological centers, which should protect families and children.
• Sexual liberation – according to statistics, about 90% of young people have their first sex before the age of 20. At the same time, the average age of young mothers is 16. Availability of alcohol, drugs, pornography contribute to pathology. But the saddest thing is that all this is inherent in young age, as there is a desire to stand out and distinguish oneself.
• Contraception – ignorance of the basics or neglect of them leads to problems. As a rule, this happens due to the lack of basic knowledge, sex education or financial insolvency. But most often it is shame and fear of buying contraceptives in public or their incorrect use.
• Violence - beating or forced sex are included in the category of sexual violence. An unhealthy family atmosphere acts as psychological pressure and also affects early sexual life and its negative consequences.
• Socioeconomic status – most cases of this pathology occur in poor countries. In this case, motherhood at a young age is an opportunity to receive financial support for the child.

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Prevention of teenage pregnancy

Prevention of early childbearing should be based on trusting relationships with the teenager. This includes frank conversations that will help prevent ill-considered actions. A certain responsibility also falls on sex education in educational institutions, that is, providing complete information about contraception methods and the consequences of its absence. Information should be presented correctly, but without intimidation.

A competent, confidential conversation and correctly explained information will help to avoid many problems. If the child does not feel fear or embarrassment in front of his parents, then in case of a problem he will ask for help from his relatives, and will not look for dubious and dangerous ways to solve it. This will help to preserve the life and health of both the expectant mother and the newborn baby. Do not forget that adolescence is a period of rebellion, so moralizing or criticism is inappropriate. Only trusting, frank relationships provide a guarantee of safety.

Social advertising against teenage pregnancy

Today, social advertising occupies one of the leading places in preventing motherhood at an early age. This is relevant for the entire world community, so leading advertising companies release videos and hold campaigns to familiarize themselves with the problem.

A social advertising campaign was conducted in New York City, which, according to its creators, was supposed to prevent early childbearing. Posters with the following slogans were hung all over the city: "Daddy, you'll have to support me for the rest of your youth" or "Mommy, what will happen to me if daddy leaves you?" The main slogan of the campaign: "Think being a teenage parent is easy? Get ready to spend more than $10,000 every year." But the most striking was the poster of a one-year-old baby, who addressed future parents: "I have little chance of finishing school because you're a teenager." Almost all the posters emphasized that future parents are doomed to live in poverty, just like their child.

Another high-profile social advertising campaign was conducted by the portal babycanwait.com. A series of prints was released with the slogan: "Have a child when you are young, and he will control your future life."

Movies about teenage pregnancy

There are quite a few films that show pregnancy at a young age and all aspects of such a situation. Let's look at the sensational and popular films:

• "Love, Rosie" (2014)
• "Pregnancy Contract" (2010)
• "Jump" (2010)
• "Treasure" (2009)
• Juno (2007)
• "Strong Woman" (2001)
• "Where the Heart Is" (2000)
• “Children under 16” (2000)
• "For How Long?" (1988)

For educational and instructive purposes, we offer you a list of TV series, comedies and musicals that, in one way or another, touch upon the topic of motherhood in adolescence. Some films tell about the difficult life of a single mother and society's attitude to childbearing at a young age.

• "Spring Awakening" (2006)
• "Stephanie Daly" (2006)
• "Too Young to Be a Father" (2002)
• "Saved!" (2004)
• One Tree Hill (2003-2012)
• "The Cider House Rules" (1999)
• "Rush Time at Ridgemont High" (1982)
• "The Blue Lagoon" (1980)

Teenage pregnancy is a topic that is relevant for any society. And this is not surprising, since the problem leaves its mark on the future life of both young parents and their loved ones. Frank conversations, awareness and other preventive measures allow us to prevent not only the birth of an unwanted child, but also many complications of sexual life at an early age.