Pregnancy Information for Teens, 4th Ed.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. teenage birth rate reached a historic low in 2015, at 22.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. Despite this encouraging news, the U.S. teenage birth rate retained its distinction of being the highest among industrialized countries, emphasizing the nation’s need for continued efforts at helping young women avoid unplanned pregnancies. Teenage pregnancy is associated with diverse risks. Teenage mothers have a higher risk of preterm labor and delivery, anemia, preeclampsia, and other pregnancy complications. Babies born to teenage mothers have higher risks for low birth weight, serious health problems, and even death. Some pregnant teens may lack access to proper nutrition or may participate in risky activities, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs, which can have a negative effect on maternal and fetal health. In addition to such physical concerns, teenage mothers – and fathers – face other social and emotional risks, including negotiating relationships with each other and with their parents. Furthermore, they are less likely than their peers to complete their education and find well-paying jobs.

Pregnancy Information For Teens, Fourth Edition discusses the bewildering array of choices to be made and the obstacles to be overcome when a young woman faces an unplanned pregnancy. It includes facts about abortion, adoption, prenatal care, nutrition, fetal development, and preparing for labor and delivery. For teens choosing to parent their infants, it offers information on how to care for a newborn, locate and pay for child care, and receive child support. It discusses the importance of completing an education and describes the public assistance programs that are available, including assistance with health insurance and living arrangements. An end section provides information about sources of help and directories of additional resources.