Things That Adolescent Girls Should Know to Avoid Complications of Teenage Pregnancy
Adolescent pregnancy is usually an unexpected and unintended chapter in a girl’s life, one that challenges and diverts her entire course of life, with serious complications on her health status, educational plans and financial situation.
This, of course, is aside from the serious and potentially life-threatening risks that she gets to face by undergoing pregnancy and delivery that her body may not be ready for. The teen mother stands the risk of undergoing premature labour, preeclampsia, developing anaemia, placental problems, postpartum haemorrhage, pregnancy-induced hypertension and transmitting sexually transmittable infections to her child. There is also a comparatively higher chance of mortality for both mother and child. All this is aside from the fact that she faces a higher risk of developing depression as she herself is a child, and caring for a baby at this stage while her age-mates are enjoying, can prove to be very challenging. About 50% of adolescent mothers never complete high school either, leading to unemployment and financial difficulties in raising the baby.
Babies born to adolescent mothers have an increased risk of being born pre-term, having low birth weight and developing asphyxia; they also have higher chances of developing future health problems. That being said, India is believed to have 11.8 teenage pregnancies annually, according to a publication in BMJ, 2017. In 2005-2006, the country was believed to have 16% teenage pregnancies between the ages of 15-19; this has almost been halved now, coming down to 7.9% in 2015-2016. Being a country mired deeply in tradition, a majority of the adolescent pregnancies are due to early marriages along with low contraceptive awareness. The greatest threat being faced by these teenagers is a high rate of pregnancy-related complications leading to higher mortality rates.
And to worsen the situation, one in fourteen mothers will undergo a second pregnancy within two years of her first pregnancy; such babies stand an even higher risk of premature birth or low-birth weight. Most of them do not have the intellectual or emotional maturity to deal with the situation and turn to drugs and alcohol for solace. The sad part is that such cases don’t even get the requisite antenatal care due to them.
Marriage and education make all the difference for antenatal care towards these teenage pregnancies as a supportive partner removes some of the stigma attached to an illegitimate teenage pregnancy. But it doesn’t remove the fact that death from pregnancy complications is higher in those under 19 as opposed to those older than 20 years; they are usually malnourished and undergo premature and prolonged labour.
Complications of pregnancy lead to about 70,000 teenage deaths in developing countries annually. Globally, teenage pregnancy complications are postulated to be the biggest killer of girls between the ages of 15-19. This mortality rate is aside from about one million babies that day annually before their first birthday from being born to teenage mothers.
The only way out is to educate adolescents on the importance of avoiding teenage pregnancy, starting from the grass-root levels in the villages and then onto the schools.
Ten Effective Remedies That You Can Refer to When You Are Suffering from Muscle Cramps
Finally starting off with the gym life can get too overwhelming until you hit those muscle cramps along with the weights.
ICSI(Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
Normally during every mid-menstrual period, one of the 2 ovaries releases an ovum. Each ovum is covered by a membrane called follicle,
Pregnancy and Delivery Care
Nothing could possibly compare to the joy of becoming a parent. After nine long months of waiting, the moment you have been waiting for is almost there:
Some Common Causes of Chest Pain
The first thing that jumps into the mind whenever you have some sort of chest pain is heart attack! It’s only human to feel that way
Organic Food Vs GMO Food: What Should You Pick?
There is no doubt that the quality of food we consume is crucial for our good health. And with more people becoming health conscious the d
Importance of Breastfeeding and Vaccinations for Newborns
Going nature’s way is best when it comes to providing nourishment for the apple of your eye – your baby. Breast milk is best for your baby as it
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): A Breakthrough in Kidney Stone Treatment
Kidney stones, those small, hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys, can cause excruciating pain and discomfort.
Skin Tags - Benign Tumor or Cancerous Tumor?
Skin tag if observed is a narrow stalk that hangs about your skin, bulging at the end. They are usually freshly colored and can grow anywhere on your body.
3 Ways Vitamin C is Helpful for the Immune System
The water-soluble vitamin, Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It is helpful in building up the blood vessels, skins, and making bones stronger
4 Signs of Mental Illness
As life has gotten fast and hectic, different health issues have got introduced lately. Not just physical issues,
4 Ways Night-Shifts Can Be Dangerous For Your Menstruation And Ovulation
A good night's sleep is of value for pregnant women. But with strenuous work-hours and shift work, sleep can quite a luxury for all.
Causes Of Infertility in Women
More and more women are putting off pregnancy till well into their 30’s or early 40’s for career reasons; infertility is fast becoming a major heartbreaking issue for such couples.
Do Not Indulge in These 9 Common Dieting Mistakes
Dieting is not just about eating less or starving yourself to meet unrealistic goals. Healthy dieting involves making informed food choices.
Laryngeal Reiinervation Procedure at KIMS Hospital
Mr. K.P 56-year-old business executive from Bangalore underwent a thyroid surgery two years back.
Learn How Stress Affects Your Heart Health
Stress is a frequent side effect of the modern 21st Century lifestyle. We’re always running around to meet deadlines, pay bills we tend to
Lose Weight: The Healthy Way
Almost everyone we know is worried about the way they look. There are several concerns people have, like their complexion
Myths About Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery – be it the gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries – involve making changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Should You be Worried?
A recent study has found that 1 in 5 people in India suffers from liver disorders. Before you blame it on the increased alcohol consumption
Obesity and its Relation to Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that arises when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin,, hence there is excess glucose in the blood
Rotator Cuff Tear
A rotator cuff tear is a rotator cuff injury that can cause shoulder pain and loss of arm function. The rotator cuff is a set of muscles and tendons in your shoulder.
What Happens to Your Body When You Fast?
Fasting has been practised by humans for thousands of years as a way of rejuvenating the mind, body and soul and as a common ritual of many religions from all over the world
Why You Shouldn’t Consume Medicines with Cold Water
There has been a long-raging debate on the temperature of water needed for consuming medications. You won’t find much as in research papers
10 Tasty Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Recipes
Worry about it no more, as a healthy diabetic diet does not have to be bland. Instead, you can enjoy a myriad of flavorful, low-calorie
4 Not So Common Health Problems in Teenagers
The current generation of teenagers have far more access to technology and gadgets than their parents did.
4 Secrets to Adjusting Your Toddler's Sleep Cycle
Most of the parents, some time or the other, may have faced the trouble of making their toddlers sleep at night.
Related Blogs
Ten Effective Remedies That You Can Refer to When You Are Suffering from Muscle Cramps
Finally starting off with the gym life can get too overwhelming until you hit those muscle cramps along with the weights.
ICSI(Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
Normally during every mid-menstrual period, one of the 2 ovaries releases an ovum. Each ovum is covered by a membrane called follicle,