In the Philippines, the percentage of teenage pregnancies decreased from 10% in 2008 to 9% in 2017. Teenage women (ages 10 to 19) gave birth to 203,085 live babies in 2016, 196,478 live babies in 2017, and 183,000 live babies in 2018. Nevertheless, among the ASEAN Member States, the Philippines has one of the highest rates of adolescent births.
Teenage pregnancy is possibly rampant for numerous reasons. While it is a social issue that needs to be addressed by higher authorities, there are critical medical issues that lie beneath. Given that teenagers are still at the phase of their lives where their body is developing, teenage pregnancy makes it risky for the teenage mom to carry another developing creature inside her body which also needs further development of its own.
In this article, the risk of teenage pregnancy in the body of the teenage moms will be discussed, Furthermore, this article will also talk over the ways a teenage mom can take her of herself while also making sure she is doing all the right ways in keeping the baby in her wom safe. This is an informational guideline for protecting the child inside of the mothers who still have their own inner child.
Risks of Teenage Pregnancy to the Child
In growing in an undeveloped frame, it is only expected that some babies will not be born as equally as the others. Several conditions may occur and the inability of their mothers to be physically ready greatly influences their own development. Here are some of the common medical conditions babies from teenage moms are prone to:
Low Birth Weight
A newborn who weighs less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces is said to have a low birthweight. Despite their small size, some low birthweight babies are healthy. However, some infants may experience major health issues as a result of being underweight at birth. When a baby is born, their size can affect their ability to feed, acquire weight, and fight off diseases. Some people may also experience long-term health issues. In the United States, one in every twelve newborns (or 8%) is born underweight.
Here are some of the things a baby may experience when he or she has a low weight after labor:
- Breathing problems – TA protein called surfactant, which prevents tiny air sacs in a baby’s lungs from collapsing, is absent in babies which produces breathing problems.
- Bleeding in the brain – Most brain bleeding is minor and resolves on its own. More serious bleeding can put pressure on the brain and possibly lead to an accumulation of fluid there. This may harm the brain. To drain the fluid, a surgeon may occasionally place a tube inside the baby’s brain.
- Patent ductus arteriosus – When a gap between two significant blood arteries that emerge from the heart does not close completely, it is known as a patent ductus arteriosus. This can result in more blood flowing to the lungs. Many infants with patent ductus arteriosus experience spontaneous closure of the opening within a few days of birth.
- Necrotizing enterocolitis – The intestines of a baby have a problem with this. Long tubes that are a part of the digestive system are called the intestines. The body breaks down food with the aid of the digestive system. For an infant, necrotizing enterocolitis can be harmful and lead to issues with eating, tummy swelling, and other consequences.
- Infections – The immune system guards against infection in the body. A newborn who is born too soon may not have a completely formed immune system and may not be able to fend off infection.
On the other hand, here are some later-in-life complications and diseases he or she may encounter as an aftermath or consequence:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
Premature or Preterm Birth
A baby is considered preterm if it is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. In the United States, almost 1 in 10 babies are born preterm each year. Babies who are born prematurely may not be fully formed. They can require a lengthier hospital stay and experience more health issues than babies delivered later. Even kids born very early have a higher chance of surviving today than ever before thanks to advancements in medical care.
Still, this is a devastating thing to go through for both the mother and baby and usually puts both their health at a high risk. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to get proper care.
Risks of Teenage Pregnancy to the Inner Child
Often labeled as a mistake, accident, and sin, teenage pregnancy not only generates risky physical conditions for the mothers but also takes a huge toll on their emotional wellness.
Here are some of the postpartum conditions a teen mom may experience:
- Role conflict – As teen moms, what they should be prioritizing is school. Given so, those who wish to continue school still have to remain a mother still. Hence, role conflict occurs as schedules and social life values do not usually match between a student and a parent.
- Emotional and mental distress – Even in varying situations, those who didn’t wish for such a thing to happen will constantly feel all sorts of negative feelings which may come from their parents, friends, other people involved, or even themselves.
- Insufficient support – Due to the fact that most parents are not happy with the circumstance, they often let their child live alone and figure things out herself out of spite or disappointment. Those who experience this kind of insufficient support, whether emotionally or financially, struggle to go on with their lives.
Conclusion
Being a teen mom is far from easy. If anything, it is forced adulthood and hindered childhood. There are a lot of regrets and guilt etched within it, heightened by health issues. In this situation, one of the most important things to do is to protect the inner child within you while also fostering a safe space for your kid. This can never happen when you are alone, of course. It is very important to have a safe space and safe environment that may serve as your support system all throughout your teenage pregnancy, even after.
