Calkin
Advanced English II
21 February 2013
(Photo Credit: Micheals, Duane. TIME Magazine. December 9th, 1985. )
Just like the picture above, children are having children and along with that comes the risks a pregnancy can cause. These risks are apparent all over Cheatham County as you read this paper, pregnant girls walk around the halls, while we can't necessarily stop them from having sex and getting pregnant, we can at least discuss the common risks associated with adolescent pregnancy and hope they go for the better. Common risks include premature birth, complications due to age, the complications after premature birth. In this paper I will also discuss the alternative options to hopefully and eventually eradicate the teen pregnancy rate.
In the United States 3 out of 10 teen girls will become pregnant before the turn 20 years old. That's almost 750,000 teenage girls a year. (Teen Pregnancy. para. 1-2) A problem associated with this is we never discuss it with our children and it is slapped all over our media like we expect our child to get pregnant or get someone pregnant. We see it in movies, news, and MTV's recently ended reality show "16 and Pregnant". How can we not cover our children's eyes and hinder their possibly impending doom of bearing a child before bearing a high school diploma? Teen girls drop out of high school for numerous reasons. For example, to support the family, take care of the siblings, they just don't want to go, or they get pregnant. Less than 50% of teen girls will complete high school after giving birth, while only 2% will complete college. While 50% of mothers and their children are likely to repeat a grade. (Teen Pregnancy 1. Para. 4-6) Almost a quarter of the teen pregnancies will result in another pregnancy two years down the road. While 8 out of 10 fathers will not marry the mother of their child and will pay less than $800 a month for child support because they themselves are poor or have insufficient income earnings. (Teen Pregnancy 1. Para. 7) In 2008 alone 68 girls per 1,000, aged 15-19, became pregnant. However, it has steadily declined from 117 per 1,000 in the 1990s. Fewer babies were born to teens in 2010 since 1946. (Teen Pregnancy: The Facts. Para. 2-3) Unfortunately, that rate is still higher than any other developed countries like Germany, Brazil, China, and the U.K. (Teen Pregnancy: The Facts. Para. 4.) The risks can be daunting, Teens are 5 times more likely to have complications than woman a decade older than them. These risks include High Blood Pressure, Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension, Preeclampsia, Premature Birth, and some other minor complications such as morning sickness and feet swelling. (Teen Pregnancy: The Facts. Para. 9-10.)
Premature birth is a high risk factor for young girls because their bodies may not be able to carry a baby to full term. Girls younger than 16 are more likely to give birth prematurely than girls who are 25. Problems associated with premature birth can include low birth weight, cognitive abilities may be hindered, in other words, mental retardation, bleeding into or of the brain, blindness, pulmonary Hemorrhaging, Neonatal Sepsis, or infection of the spine, Jaundice, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, languo, which is excess body hair, and many other complications. (Lee, M.D. 2011.) Problems due to prematurity itself can include less activity and more sleeping, feed problems, soft ear cartilage, and thin, saran wrap like skin that is often red and transparent. (Lee, M.D. 2011.) Common Tests performed on preemies include blood oxygen levels, chest x-rays, and around the clock cardiorespitory monitoring. (Lee, M.D. 2011.) Upon birth the babies are placed in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) either under warmers or incubators. If the baby is born before 34 weeks gestation, it can not coordinate suckling and breathing, thus a soft, flexible feeding tube is put in through the nose or mouth to the stomach. Premature babies can have an array of machines helping them learn to breathe on their own. These machines can include a CPAP, Trachea tube, nasal prongs, or an oxygen hood. (Lee, M.D. 2011.)
In 2003 and 2005, 14.5% of Teen Mothers gave birth prematurely, compared to the 11.9% of mothers aged between 20 and 29. (Coila. 2010.) A study in the U.K. showed that 3,600 teen mothers lived in socially deprived areas. (Coila. 2010.) "It is also possible that the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcome in the second teenage pregnancy is related to the numerous complicating factors such as a greater social deprivation and less prenatal care." (Dr. Ali Khanshan. U of College Cork.) It is shown that 180,000 teens lose babies through miscarriage, still birth, or neonatal death, while 400,000 abortions happen per year. Yet, 38,000 babies will die before their first birthday due to health problems, lack of prenatal care, or low socioeconomical status. (Simpson. pg. 87.) A teen mother with a baby born before term may feel the stress and emotional turmoils. These include being sad, worried, scared, or they may feel as if they failed as a mother, and so scared they may sometimes abandon the baby or give it up for adoption.
There are such things to prevent this from happening, such as birth control or condoms, even abstinence. Birth control uses a system of chemicals that confuse your hormones into being pregnant, while in reality, you're not. Thus, little or no monthly gift from Mother Nature. While birth control is effective, it isn't permanent, if you forget to take the pill, you may end up pregnant. Condoms are an option most people look to when it comes to pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted disease transference protection. However, condoms are made of a rubber, and like a balloon popping, a condom can break. Abstinence is the best option to stay away from diseases and pregnancies. Some teen girls choose to stay abstinent until they are in a well off point in their life.
"-Imagine what a difference America could make--and what a different America we would have--if we could cut the teen pregnancy rate in half." (President Clinton. State of the Union. 1996.) In conclusion, Teen pregnancy can be reduced if we limit the programs, movies, and media our teens are exposed to, teach them about sexual intercourse, and ways to stay safe during sex. On the other hand, if we teach them about the risks of pregnancy, we can also reduce the prematurity rate and neonatal by at least 25% in my opinion. Teen pregnancy is a serious issue that most people keep quiet. Yet, the risks are something to speak out loudly. It floats around in our hallways in Cheatham County Central High School, I just feel it was about time someone addressed it.
Work Cited Page:
Simpson, Carolyn. Coping With An Unplanned Pregnancy.
New York City. 1990.
Coila, Bridget. Health Risks for Pregnant Teens.
2010. URL: http://www.livestrong.come/article/135656-health-risks-pregnant-teens/#ix222k4QXW4u5
Teen Pregnancy: Consider The Options. URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-pregnancy/MY00820/NSECTIONGROUP=2
Lee, Kimberly G. M.D., MSC, IBCLC, APP of Pediatrics, Neonatalogy, MU of SC.
2011. Charlston, S.C. URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001562.htm
Teen Pregnancy. URL: http://www.teenpregnancy.com/
Teen Pregnancy: The Facts. URL: http://www.webmd.com/teen-pregnancy-medical-risks-and-realities
Teen Pregnancy. URL: http://www.stayteen.org/teen-pregnancy
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