Creating Awareness On Teen, Adolescent Pregnancy

Adolescent pregnancy, by definition is pregnancy in girls between the ages of 10 and 19, where the majority are unintended pregnancies. Although the teen pregnancy rate has declined by 55 percent since 1990, teens are still becoming pregnant and giving birth and 75 percent of those are unintended pregnancies. While it is possible that a teen who becomes pregnant can experience a healthy pregnancy and be an excellent parent, many pregnant and parenting teens struggle with multiple stressors, health risks and other complex issues. Being pregnant as a teenager puts them at higher risk for having a baby born too early, with a low birth weight and, tragically, higher risk of death.
Several factors contribute to adolescent pregnancies and births. Firstly, in many societies, girls are under pressure to marry and bear children. As of 2021, the estimated global number of child brides was 650 million. Child marriage places girls at increased risk of pregnancy because girls who are married very early typically have limited autonomy to influence decision-making about delaying child-bearing and contraceptive use. Secondly, in many places, girls choose to become pregnant because they have limited educational and employment prospects. Often in such societies, motherhood within or outside marriage or union is valued, and marriage or union and childbearing may be the best of the limited options available to adolescent girls.
Thirdly, there is unprotected sex with teen partners or adult partners.
However, teenage dating is something that is no longer hidden anymore, I mean, it’s something we now see and hear of everything. In as much as parents try to prevent their teens from relationships, it is still something inevitable as long as the child is associating with the world and so it is high time parents stopped preventing and started educating. A girl child at her early 20s or under the age of 20, as long as the girl child is menstruating, is bound to get pregnant if any negligent sexual act is carried out and at this stage,they  are very very fertile. Fourth, sexual violence against vulnerable teenagers,  could be from someone trying to assist them financially and what not. Fifth, lack of proper education due to discontinuation of school could also be an issue.  Lastly, there is less information about reproductive health and rights. However, these factors are not limited to these ones listed above.
Most teen girls may not be matured enough for childbearing and childcare and babies born to teenage girls may have health problems due to inadequate prenatal care. Lack of prenatal vitamins, minerals, and other forms of care may increase the risk of health issues in both mothers and babies. There are situations where some people do not know they are pregnant until close to the third trimester and by that time, no proper care was ascertained to the mother and the child, thereby leaving both of them at risk.
It is never easy as a teen to give  birth and care for a child. At this stage, a teen’s life can be stressful due to financial burden combined with balancing school and parenting and this can also put the newborn at risk. Teens who are pregnant or are raising babies usually have a hard time finishing school. Only 3 percent of teens who have babies received their college diploma before the age of 30. Also, at times, most teens are single parents and this can be quite draining emotionally, physically and mentally,and  also putting the baby at risk because, I mean, parents often need resources to help them navigate their children’s well-being and development.
In as much as these issues happen, there are ways parents or guardians can help their teens prevent teenage pregnancy.
Parents and guardians can develop strong bonding with their children to make them comfortable, to share any incidence of sexual abuse or unprotected sex. Having  a two-way conversation about sex and your teen’s perception of it is very important. Gradually acquaintance with the teen about the consequences of unprotected sex and teenage pregnancy is key. Teenage is the phase when dating tends to begin and so you must as parents acquaint your  teen with ways of setting boundaries in their relationship.
It is okay to set rules on dating but do so while considering your teen’s opinion. Have a discussion with your teen to reach a consensus or in otherwords, agreement. Also introduction of condoms, though not entirely safe but at least, to some extent, can prevent pregnancy. Also, it is quite unfortunate that most teens do not know how to calculate their menstrual cycle to know risky dates in a cycle and all that, and this is what a parent, teacher or guardian should be able to do.
Also, for those who by chance decide to keep the pregnancies, so as to avoid death and some serious health issues; they should ensure regular prenatal care as soon as possible. They should take prenatal vitamins and minerals supplements to avoid congenital malformation and other complications. Avoid alcohol, drugs and tobacco use. Follow a healthy diet and stay safe. It is never the end of the world. A silly negligent mistake can  turn big but everything happens for a reason.

By: Akwu Cherie
Akwu is a student of Rivers State University.