Raising Awareness: The Impact of Teen Pregnancy on Young Mothers and Society 

By Dr. Almieda Duenas-Cepedoza


H.G., 13 years old, a second-year high school student was brought by her aunt for prenatal care. She was 4 months pregnant. She had a 16-year-old boyfriend. She eventually delivered by cesarean section after a prolonged and difficult labor and is now breastfeeding her two-month-old baby.

A.M., 15 years old, was brought by her friends for evaluation of abdominal pain and foul-smelling vaginal discharges. Examination showed infection with gonorrhea.

A.T. 19 years old, a graduating nursing student was admitted at the hospital because of profuse vaginal bleeding following an abortion. She underwent surgery and had massive blood transfusions. She died after five days in the hospital ICU.

These scenarios highlight the global issue of teenage pregnancy, with 7.3 million girls under 18 becoming pregnant each year, and half of pregnancies among girls aged 15-19 in developing regions being unintended. Teenage pregnancy is the second highest cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19, and 3 million teens undergo unsafe abortions annually. In the Philippines, where 24 babies are born to teenage mothers every hour, the country has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy globally. Shockingly, 1 in 10 young Filipino women aged 15 to 19 is already a mother or pregnant with their first child.

Are adolescents responsible enough to be good parents? Can teen parents fulfill their life goals? Why might teens plan or desire pregnancy?

Unintended pregnancies present significant challenges, regardless of age, with research showing negative outcomes for both teen parents and their children. Young adolescents are particularly vulnerable to pregnancy complications such as anemia, hypertension, inadequate weight gain, increased postpartum depression, and higher rates of intimate partner violence. These challenges may stem from a lack of education, limited access to prenatal care, and a lack of familial support.

Teenagers are also at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, which can result in long- term physical and emotional repercussions, severe infections leading to mortality, cervical cancer, and HIV/AIDS. Addressing these issues through comprehensive education, improved access to healthcare, and increased support systems is crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of unintended pregnancies among adolescents.

What are the outcomes for teenage mothers? They are less likely to receive adequate prenatal care and complete high school, while facing higher risks of maternal mortality, poverty in adulthood, symptoms of depression, and insufficient resources to support their children’s development. And what about teenage fathers? They tend to experience poorer academic performance, higher rates of school dropout, limited financial resources, lower income potential, and challenges in maintaining involvement in their children’s lives. Infants born to young teenage mothers, on the other hand, are over two times more likely to have low birth weight and be premature, and three times more likely to die within the first month of life. Additionally, women under 15 years old are at higher risk of delivering infants with poor health outcomes.

The crucial question now is: How can we effectively prevent these issues? There is no evidence to suggest that using shame and stigma effectively deters sexual activity and teenage parenthood. In fact, employing such negative approaches only undermines the confidence of young parents, weakening advocacy efforts to provide support for them and their children. Instead, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges faced by adolescent parents, pinpoint opportunities for assistance, and offer support to these young parents. It is important to refrain from making assumptions about the abilities of young parents to achieve their personal goals and instead assess the unique circumstances of each young parent individually.

So why do some teens choose to have sex? Their motivations can vary: “I’m in love” or “I want to be loved,” “It’s fun” or “It feels good,” “My friends are doing it” or “It’s a grown-up thing,” “I want a baby,” “It’s natural,” “I’m curious,” “I’m drunk or high!”, or “I was pressured.” But are any of these compelling reasons to engage in sexual activity? No!

Abstinence is a conscious decision not to engage in sexual activity until in a committed relationship. Choosing renewed abstinence means deciding not to have sex again until in a committed relationship after previous experiences. Opting to wait to have sex until in a committed relationship, such as marriage, is the healthiest choice! Teens, pause, reflect, and make the right decision for yourself. You are valuable and deserving! You are worth the wait!