Many Health Risks Posed for Teen Mothers & Their Babies

Teen mothers have increased health risks when pregnant and after the baby is born. These risks range from the effects the pregnancy has on the body to the mental state of a teen mother after the baby is born. A teen mother's baby also has an increased likelihood of health risks.

Premature Birth- A Health Risk for Babies of Teen Mothers

According to the March of Dimes, a non-profit organization dedicated to pregnancy and baby health, teen mothers are more likely to give birth to their babies prematurely. Premature birth takes place before the 37th week of pregnancy. Health risks to a premature baby include breathing problems from unformed lungs, long-term disabilities and possibly death.

Low Birth Weight- A Health Risk for Babies Born of Teen Mothers

Low birth weight it another health risk posed to babies born from teenage mothers. Girls under the age of 15 have a higher risk of giving birth to a baby prematurely who holds a low birth weight. Health risks posed to low-birth-weight babies include respiratory-distress syndrome, vision loss, unformed organs and bleeding in the brain.

Death and SIDS: A Health Risk Teen Mothers Take

The highest risk death in infants comes from teenage mothers under the age of 15. A baby born to a teenage mother who is under the age of 15 is more likely to die during its first year of life. According to the March of Dimes, a study on teen mothers under age 15 who gave birth in 2005, reported that 16 babies out of 1,000 died. One of the highest risk factors of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome listed on the U.S. National Institute of Health's website is babies born from teen mothers. This is because the infant of a teen mother runs the risk of being born with disabilities, prematurely or with unformed organs.

Poverty is a Possibility for Teen Moms

A teen mother must face the statistics and consequences of having a baby while still in high school. Sixty-four percent of unwed, teen mothers drop out of high school, live in poverty and start collecting welfare within the first five years of their babies' lives according to the March of Dimes.

Postpartum Hits Teen Moms Harder

Postpartum depression affects almost every woman who has given birth within the first few months after the baby is born. In teen girls who give birth the risk for postpartum depression is increased because of several factors including education, cognitive abilities, a lower rate of breast-feeding, alcohol use and behavioral issues. (Source: American Public Health Association)

Sources:

March of Dimes

American Public Health Association

U.S. National Health Institute