Teen Pregnancy When Children Have Children

Babies born in the U.S. to teenage mothers are at risk for long-term problems in many major areas of life, including school failure, poverty, and physical or mental illness. The teenage mothers themselves are also at risk for these problems.

Teenage pregnancy is usually a crisis for the pregnant girl and her family. Common reactions include anger, guilt, and denial. If the father is young and involved, similar reactions can occur in his family.

Adolescents who become pregnant may not seek proper medical care during their pregnancy, leading to an increased risk for medical complications. Pregnant teenagers require special understanding, medical care, and education--particularly about nutrition, infections, substance abuse, and complications of pregnancy. They also need to learn that using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, can damage the developing fetus. All pregnant teenagers should have medical care beginning early in their pregnancy.

Pregnant teens can have many different emotional reactions:

some may not want their babies

some may want them for idealized and unrealistic ways

others may view the creation of a child as an achievement and not recognize the serious responsibilities

some may keep a child to please another family member

some may want a baby to have someone to love, but not recognize the amount of care the baby needs

depression is also common among pregnant teens

many do not anticipate that their adorable baby can also be demanding and sometimes irritating

some become overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety, and fears about the future

depression is also common among pregnant teens

Babies born