Adolescent pregnancy

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Adolescent pregnancy	Ultrasound, color - normal umbilical cord	Ultrasound, normal fetus - abdomen measurements	Ultrasound, normal fetus - arm and legs
Ultrasound, normal fetus - arms and legs	Ultrasound, normal fetus - face	Ultrasound, normal fetus - femur measurement	Ultrasound, normal fetus - foot
Ultrasound, normal fetus - head measurements	Ultrasound, normal fetus - heartbeat	Ultrasound, normal fetus - heartbeat	Ultrasound, normal fetus - profile view
Ultrasound, normal fetus - spine and ribs	Ultrasound, normal fetus - ventricles of brain	Ultrasound, normal placenta - Braxton Hicks	Ultrasound, normal relaxed placenta
Ultrasound in pregnancy

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with higher rates of illness and death for both the mother and infant.

Pregnant teens are at much higher risk of dying or having serious medical complications such as toxemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, significant anemia, premature delivery, or placenta previa.

Infants born to teens are 2 to 6 times more likely to have low birth weight than those born to mothers age 20 or older. Prematurity plays the greatest role in this, but intrauterine growth retardation (inadequate growth of the fetus during pregnancy) is also a factor.

Teen mothers are more likely to have unhealthy habits that place the infant at greater risk for inadequate growth, infection, or chemical dependence. The younger a mother is below age 20, the greater the risk of her infant dying during the first year of life.

It is very important for pregnant teens to have early and adequate prenatal care.

Make an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of pregnancy occur.

Your health care provider can also provide counseling regarding birth control methods or pregnancy risk.

Review Date: 02/27/2006
Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.