TEENAGE PREGNANCY.| ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY

TEENAGE PREGNANCY.

teenage pregnancy

According to the data of world health organization on teenage pregnancy. Adolescent or teenage pregnancy is a global problem that occurs most often in poorer and marginalized communities. Many girls face considerable pressure to marry early and become mothers while they are still a child.

Some data from WHO on teenage pregnancy.

teenage pregnancy data by WHO

Approximately 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 years and 2.5 million girls under 16 years give birth each year in developing regions.

• Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15 to 19 yea-old girls globally.
• Every year, some 3.9 million girls aged 15 to 19 years undergo unsafe abortions.
• Adolescent mothers (ages 10 to 19 years) face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections than women aged 20 to 24 years.

Being a father or a mother in the teenage is like a horrible dream for every teenager. Unfortunately, many teenagers delay in taking proper advice when they are pregnant, perhaps hoping that it is not true. For those who choose to continue with the pregnancy these delays can mean missing out on important antenatal care and they are not ready for further complications like post-natal care, emotional stress, or financial stress. But it’s important that you get medical attention. Teenagers have higher rates of complications in pregnancy and childbirth because of not fully developed reproductive organs and are at higher risk of postnatal depression and further complications. It’s also important that you eat properly and stop drinking and smoking during your pregnancy.

Because of emotional stress, financial problem, and lack of proper advice they choose the wrong path in either maintaining pregnancy or terminating pregnancy.

If someone is pregnant either teen or adult they have the following choices.

teenage pregnancy stress

• continue the pregnancy and raise your the child with a partner
• continue the pregnancy and raise your child on your own
• continue the pregnancy followed by the adoption
• end the pregnancy (termination)

But in case of teenage, most of the people choose termination but because of lack of proper information they chose the wrong way and due to this several complications occur.

What is termination of pregnancy(Abortion)?

abortion

It is the removal of pregnancy tissue, which is the products of fertilization that develops into an embryo or the fetus and placenta (afterbirth) from the uterus. Usually, the terms fetus and placenta are used after eight weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy tissue and products of conception refer to tissue produced by the union of an egg and sperm before eight weeks.

In the case of termination you need to have it before you are 14 weeks pregnant but it may be able to be done up to around 20 weeks and 24 weeks in some states but in case of delay, severe complications may occur. Girls must be able to make their own decisions about their bodies and futures and have access to appropriate healthcare services and education.

What are the ways to terminate teenage pregnancy?

we must accept it that we are Asian countries confused nation, passing through a transition of being Proud Asians vs. Liberated West. Govt. made MTP legal under certain conditions, which was debated over the years in Parliament, and most of the people are not able to fulfill all the requirements finalized by the parliament specially for the teenagers.

Here are some ways of medically terminated pregnancy.

• Oral mifepristone (Mifeprex) and oral misoprostol (Cytotec).
• Oral mifepristone and vaginal, buccal or sublingual misoprostol’
• Methotrexate and vaginal misoprostol.
• Vaginal misoprostol alone.
• Surgical method

But we should be aware of the fact that we should not perform these medications without proper checkup of girl and without consulting a doctor because pills are not safe and it may lead to a severe medical condition to girl. No doctor is required to perform an elective abortion and that in some states there are certain legal requirements and waiting periods you must follow before having an elective abortion.

If you're considering medical abortion, meet with your doctor to discuss the procedure. Your doctor will likely:

• Check the patient's  medical history and overall health
• Confirm pregnancy with a test
• Do an ultrasound exam to date the pregnancy and confirm it's not outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy) and not a tumor that developed in the uterus (molar pregnancy)
• Do blood and urine tests
• Explain how the procedure works, the side effects, and possible risks and complications.

If you are performing abortion through medication through pills you must aware of these things.

• Pregnancy should not be more than 70 days.
• The girl may have bleeding problems.
• Medication may cause chronic adrenal failure or is taking certain steroid medications
• Has uncontrolled seizure disorder (for misoprostol)

What are the risk of abortion we must know and what are the side-effects and risk factors of abortion. Risk factors of medical abortion include:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work
• Heavy bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort

Now the main question arises that what is the main thing we must know after the abortion that would be safe & it will not lead to any complication in the girl.

After any type of abortion either through medication or by the surgical method we must visit the doctor so that the doctor can evaluate the condition of the girl so that the girl can live a healthy life.

These are some points which require special attention after the abortion.

• Heavy bleeding — soaking two or more pads an hour for two hours
• Severe abdominal or back pain
• Fever lasting more than 24 hours
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

HOW DOES TEENAGE PREGNANCY AFFECT GIRLS?

Teenage pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality. Complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 globally. Pregnant girls and adolescents also face other health risks and complications due to their immature bodies. Babies born to younger mothers are also at greater risk. pregnancy and childbirth are neither planned. Adolescent pregnancy can also have negative social and economic effects on girls, their families, and communities. Unmarried pregnant adolescents may face stigma or rejection by parents and peers as well as threats of violence.