Here in the Philippines, we believe in the saying of our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal that “Youth is the hope of our Mother land”. In their hand lies the future generation to follow. But as we see from the situation nowadays, what we’re expecting from the youth is the contrary if the saying. Teenagers are prone to pregnancy. Almost every year there is a rapid increase on the number of pregnant youths. One of the major causes of this problem is that most of the youths nowadays grew up in broken homes. Parents either the father or mother of the youths chose to leave their children behind because of the fact that they cannot handle anymore their obligation as parents.
Early pregnancy or Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in females under the age of 20. A pregnancy can take place in a pubertal female before menarche (the first menstrual period), which signals the possibility of fertility, but usually occurs after menarche. In well-nourished girls, menarche usually takes place around the age of 12 or 13.
There are, however, additional medical concerns for mothers aged fewer than 15. For mothers aged 15–19, risks are associated more with socioeconomic factors than with the biological effects of age. However, research has shown risks of low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and pre-eclampsia are connected to the biological age itself, as it was observed in teen births even after controlling for other risk factors.
The worldwide incidence of premature birth and low birth weight is higher among adolescent mothers. In a rural hospital in West Bengal, teenage mothers between 15 and 19 years old were more likely to have anemia, preterm delivery (a birth of baby less than 37 weeks), and low birth weight than mothers between 20 and 24 years old. Research indicates that pregnant teens are less likely to receive prenatal care (the regular medical and nursing care recommended for women during pregnancy), often seeking it in the third trimester.
Worldwide, teenage pregnancy rates range from 143 per 1000 in some sub-Saharan African countries to 2.9 per 1000 in South Korea. In the United States, 82% of pregnancies in those between 15 and 19 are unplanned. The United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand have the highest level of teenage pregnancy, while Japan and South Korea have the lowest in 2001.
Many health educators have argued that comprehensive sex education would effectively reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, although opponents argue that such education encourages more and earlier sexual activity. Interventions combining education and contraceptives appear to reduce unplanned teenage pregnancy.
In relation to this problem, our government is now working on the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) as one of the most effective solution not only to teenage pregnancy but also to the increasing population of our country. Teen parenting is hard, so if you're thinking of having a child, make sure you understand the responsibilities and sacrifices involved. Becoming a parent while you're still a teenager will have educational, financial, social, physical, and emotional costs. Having a baby is the biggest responsibility any person can have in life. You are now responsible not only for yourself but for a tiny, helpless infant. Here are some factors to consider when thinking of teenage parenthood. Babies are high-maintenance beings that require round-the-clock care. When considering becoming a parent, make sure you have the time required to take care of a child.
