Teenage Pregnancy

The topic I chose is mental health of teenage mothers. The reason I chose this topic is because unfortunately some children are at risk. Being a teenager, there are a lot of football games, dances, and other fun activities to do with friends. Babies can be seen as getting in the way of that fun, especially if family isn’t there to support the baby and mother. Motherhood can be a bit overwhelming especially for a teen. Teenage pregnancy can bring some health and mental health risks for the mother and her baby. Teen births are at risk for low birth weight, premature birth, higher rate of low infant mortality, and many other complications. Children that are born to teen mothers are more likely to experience social, emotional, and other problems. There is an increased risk for abuse and neglect. Also, children who are born to teenage mothers are less likely to receive proper nutrition, health care and cognitive & social stimulation.

In the UK research found that, “41.9% of teenage mums had antenatal depression, compared with 35.7% mothers in their early 20s and 18% of women in the group aged 23 to 38.”

I believe that it is good to have awareness and sex courses in high school. Just because we pray and hope teenagers know about safe sex and taking, the right precautions we still need to tell them and stress to them the subject. If we are care providers of young mothers, we should ask them about their feelings, how we can better assist them and her family.

References

(October 2000). Teen Pregnancy Overview. Retrieved from: http://www.healthcommunities.com/teen-pregnancy/children/overview-of-teen-pregnancy.shtml

(November 2008). Young Mothers’ Depression Risk. Retrieved from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7727540.stm