(This story was originally published in The Elevator in June, 2023.)

Teen pregnancy is filled with many challenges, and the lack of access to resources adds to those challenges. It is a problem that affects not only the teenage mother but also their families and society as a whole.

Birth control

Birth control is a resource important to teach young people how to avoid pregnancy. 

Birth control comes in vast forms for both men and women, including sterilizations like tubal ligation for females and vasectomy for males. 

There are also barrier methods like male and female condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges. 

Short-acting and long-acting hormonal methods include copper IUD, hormonal IUD, contraceptive implants, birth control pills, vaginal rings, skin patches, and contraceptive injections.  There are also spermicides, vaginal gels, or abstinence. 

Abstinence is the only birth control that is 100% effective. It means you don’t have sexual intercourse. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s also the only way to protect yourself from STDs. 

 Teenagers face many hurdles when trying to access contraceptives, including restrictive laws and policies regarding access to contraceptives based on age, marital status, health worker bias, transportation, and financial constraints.

Social problems

Adolescent pregnancy can have social and economic consequences. “I had a lot of expectations for myself as a new mom. And as soon as I went back to work, I felt pretty empty. I had reserved my emotions for the sake of keeping my head high at work,” said Lilly Brown, a young mom who gave birth as a teen. 

A common cause of teen pregnancy is mainly the result of communities not educating themselves promptly when it comes to sex, according to Plan International. 

Schools not offering sufficient sexual education classes, or even families not taking the time to talk with their children about the idea of staying safe, ACLU wrote. 

Parents and caregivers also play a large role in preventing teen pregnancy by having open and honest conversations with their children about sex and relationships, wrote Planned Parenthood. 

When families don’t create a safe space for teens to talk about these things, it doesn’t open the conversation up for them to teach their children how to stay safe and how important it is to be safe, not only to prevent pregnancy but also to prevent STDs.

Teen pregnancy rates have taken a downturn in recent years, but they remain a significant issue in many communities said the Office of Population Affairs. 

Early parenthood can result in social solitude. “I didn’t go out much, and that also made me feel guilty,” Brown said.

 “I fell into a trap, believing my baby’s needs were all that mattered. While I was stuck at home taking care of the round-the-clock demands of my baby, the important people in my life got on with their day jobs,” writer and mother, Cat Rodie wrote.

Options

There are three options for pregnant people, including giving birth and raising the child, adoption, or abortion. Marri Ashley, a health teacher at Oregon City High School and mom, said that a handful of pregnant teens have come to her to talk about their action plan, and if they are aware of their options, then she would suggest they should weigh each of those options to find out which is best for them. 

  In North Clackamas, there is a program called PACE, or Parenting Academics Careers Employment. PACE is a high school program for pregnant and parenting teens. Students who attend PACE receive free state-certified child care, bus transportation to and from school for themselves and their babies, and work towards completing a regular high school diploma. 

There is another program on Oregon.gov called the Teen Parent Success Program. This program has a vast amount of resources for teen parents. Listing addresses and contact information for those resources.

Cause and effect

 In developing countries, the main cause of teen pregnancies is early marriage. In adolescents aged 15 to 19, there is often an imbalance of power and a lack of contraceptives, on top of the pressure from families to prove fertility, which causes many adolescent pregnancies.

A major effect of teenage pregnancy is maternal and child mortality. According to the World Health Organization, complications related to pregnancy and childbirth are one of the leading causes of death for girls aged 15 to 19.

 For many teenagers, pregnancy and giving birth occur without planning or desire. In places where abortion is banned or severely limited, women often turn to unsafe abortions, which can threaten their lives. In developed regions, it is estimated that 30 women die for every 100,000 unsafe abortions, according to the World Health Organization.

 According to PMC, a multitude of studies suggest young mothers experience significantly higher rates of depression, both prenatal and postpartum. Teen pregnancy can have a ripple effect on the community. It can lead to increased healthcare costs and a strain on social services. It can also maintain a cycle of poverty and low educational goals. 

Unmarried teens who become pregnant may encounter social stigma, rejection from parents and peers, and even threats of violence. Girls who become pregnant before turning 18 are at a higher risk of experiencing violence within a relationship said the Journal of Gynecological Research and Obstetrics. . 

Young mothers face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, and systemic infections than women aged 20 to 24 years, and babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and severe neonatal conditions, said the World Health Organization. “Technically, their bodies are ready because when you go through puberty, it’s saying, “Hey, you’re ready for this, but it doesn’t mean all the parts that go together— your heart, and your brain, and all of that—your emotions are ready for that big journey,” said Ashley. 

If you find out you are pregnant, your best option is to do a ton of research on resources in local areas that can help in getting through this fearful time. A support system that is trustworthy and reliable is something that can make a noticeable difference in your experience.