Looking at Truths about Teen Pregnancy

Teen pregnancy is a touchy subject for many. It’s a good idea to take a look at various statistics and information about teen pregnancy in order to see a clearer picture.

Why Teens Are at a Greater Risk of Becoming Pregnant?

When looking at teen pregnancy statistics, there are a number of common indicators and characteristics that pregnant teens have displayed:

  • a history of physical or sexual abuse during childhood
  • a history of being displaced, an unstable home life
  • conflict between family members
  • trouble in school with either attendance issues or low grades
  • history of teenage pregnancy within the family
  • living in remote areas
  • low self-esteem and a strong desire to be loved

Risks and Needs of a Teenage Mother

Pregnancy has more complications for teenage mothers. This is especially true when the pregnant teen is younger than 15 because of biological factors. Slightly older pregnant teenagers often have complications because of underlying health and nutrition situations - high blood pressure and lack of the right nutrients are great examples - that are more difficult to address during pregnancy.

Some of the frustrations and isolation that a pregnant teen often faces contribute to a greater risk of post-partum depression.

Risks and Possible Complications for Babies Born to Teenage Mothers

Because pregnant teens often postpone having their pregnancy confirmed by a health care provider, there is a greater likelihood that important early warning signs may go unnoticed. Similarly, a lack of adequate nutrition, smoking, drinking, prescription medications and recreational drugs can have an impact.

As a result, it is more likely for a teen mother to miscarry, for the baby to be born prematurely, with a low birth weight or with birth defects and for other complications during the delivery and after the birth.

Teen Pregnancy in the United States

Teen pregnancy is a concern in developed countries around the world. While efforts are made to promote abstinence and birth control is made more widely available, teen pregnancy still happens far more often than many people are comfortable with.

In the United States in the year 2000, the rate of teenage pregnancy was 84 out of every 1000 pregnancies (8.4% of pregnancies). While that number had decreased since the early 1990s, it still was more than double the number of teen pregnancies in Canada - 38 out of every 1000 or 3.8% of pregnancies.

While studies by the Center for Disease Control have indicated that the overall number of teen pregnancies has dropped, it was noted that teen pregnancy rates for Hispanic and African-American girls were twice that of Caucasian teens. It’s also important to point out that, while teen pregnancy within the United States has followed a decreasing trend, the latest statistics reported by the media indicate that the numbers are again on the rise.

The increase in teen pregnancies in the United States is indicated by the most recent National Institute of health report. In 2005, the rate of teen pregnancy was 2.1% of pregnancies and births (21 in 1000); in 2006, that number rose slightly to 2.2% or 22 in 1000 pregnancies. This is the first increase in number since 1991 when efforts to combat teen pregnancy went into full swing.