Teenage Pregnancy
Reading this article
Topic pages summarize public health information in plain language. They may describe common causes and treatments in general terms; your own plan of care depends on your clinician’s exam, history, and tests. Use what you read here to prepare questions—not to start, stop, or change medications or to self-diagnose.
Most teenage girls don't plan to get pregnant, but many do. Teen pregnancies carry extra health risks to both the mother and the baby. Often, teens don't get prenatal care soon enough, which can lead to problems later on. They have a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure and its complications. Risks for the baby include premature birth and a low birth weight.
If you're a pregnant teen, you can help yourself and your baby by:
- Getting regular prenatal care
- Taking your prenatal vitamins for your health and to prevent some birth defects
- Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs
- Using a condom, if you are having sex, to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that could hurt your baby. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.