dimas 
Share this
Should an adolescent give birth naturally?
Not every person or pregnancy is the same, so it won’t always be safe for a pregnant teenager to give birth naturally. This is a choice that needs to be made on a case-by-case basis.
From a biological perspective, 17-year-olds are perfectly capable of having a natural birth.
There are many different teenage pregnancy labor and delivery options. With proper medical approval and guidance, choosing a natural birth can be a safe option that’ll produce a healthy baby.
Not every person or pregnancy is the same, so it won’t always be safe for a pregnant teenager to give birth naturally. This is a choice that needs to be made on a case-by-case basis. Consult your health care provider to help decide if this is the best option for you.
While making your decision, keep in mind that there are few added health risks to a natural birth if the pregnancy is otherwise healthy and uncomplicated.
Pain medications — like epidurals — can even lead to problems of their own, like lowering your blood pressure or making you nauseous while you try to deliver.
So a natural birth could be the healthiest choice. In fact, some of the adverse effects of teen parenting come from a lack of empowerment in their pregnancy and low levels of connection to their child — problems that natural childbirth tries to address.
What is natural birth?
Expectant mothers decide between a handful of birthing strategies, and an increasing number of them are choosing to have a natural birth.
Although there’s no one right way to have a natural birth, there are some practices that are common to all of them. These include:
- Not using any medications in the labor and delivery process — including pain medications like epidurals
- Letting the mother guide the birthing process
- Avoiding artificial medical interventions during birth — like an episiotomy, in which there isn’t enough room for the baby, so the tissue between the vagina and anus is cut
The exception to these requirements is when the situation becomes life-threatening for either the mother or the child. In this case, medical intervention is necessary.
In fact, the main situation in which natural births become dangerous is when the mother ignores medical advice and continues to attempt a natural birth despite serious complications.
Part of the goal of natural childbirth is to empower the mother and give her more control over the birthing process. In natural birth, the mother is encouraged to let her body and baby guide her through the birth.
Does teen pregnancy have added risks?
Teenage or adolescent pregnancy includes girls who are 13 to 19 years old. Studies have found that teenage labor and delivery can come with added risks compared to women who are at least 20 years old.
When you’re under 20, you and your baby are at a greater risk for:
- Stillbirth
- Fetal death in the womb
- Premature labor
- Low birth weight
- High blood pressure — in the mother
- Anemia — in the mother
- Eclampsia
- Endometritis
- Systemic infections
Some of the greatest risks from teen pregnancies come from not getting medical attention early on. This could be because the teen is trying to hide the pregnancy. If you are a pregnant teen, be sure to get medical attention as soon as you realize that you’re pregnant.
Community health facilities and programs like Planned Parenthood are there to help you — so don’t hesitate to seek support. Hesitation only puts you and your baby at a greater risk.
Where should you give birth?
Your home could be a safe place to give birth, but there currently isn’t enough scientific data to confirm this.
Luckily, natural births no longer need to happen outside of medical settings. Birthing centers are becoming more common around the U.S. These facilities provide some medical staff — like certified midwives and registered nurses — but leave the mother with space to give birth her own way.
Many modern hospitals now include wings where mothers can give birth naturally while still having access to high-tech equipment — in case anything goes wrong.
Ultimately, you need to decide on the facility that’s best for you. Teenagers, though, should strongly consider having a good medical support team on hand. Younger teens, in particular, are encouraged to use a facility that can handle any emergency situation.
Lifestyle changes
Anything that decreases your risk of pregnancy complications also increases the chance that you’ll be healthy enough to have a natural birth. So make sure you live your healthiest life while pregnant.
Positive lifestyle recommendations include:
- No smoking: Smoking will increase your risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome. It can also affect your baby’s birth weight.
- No drinking alcohol: Alcohol can lead to mental and physical birth defects — particularly when consumed early on in the pregnancy.
- Limiting your caffeine intake: Experts recommend having the equivalent of only one cup of coffee a day, around 200 milligrams of caffeine.
- No drug use: Some drugs are associated with infant death.
- Getting enough sleep: Pregnancy can be exhausting, so make sure you get enough rest to keep yourself and your baby at your best.
- Avoiding unsafe sex: You can still get sexually transmitted diseases while pregnant, and some of these could infect your baby.
Talk to your health care provider for other tips on how to stay healthy while pregnant. They can also help you quit smoking or quit other substances if this is an issue for you.
Nutritional recommendations
Teenagers tend to have less balanced diets than other age groups. But nutrition is crucial for your baby’s development. Proper nutrition from the very beginning of your pregnancy will decrease the risk of complications later on.
In general, avoid fast food. Stick to fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead.
In particular, make sure you get enough of the nutrients that your baby needs to properly develop. These include:
- Folic acid — from foods like leafy green vegetables, peas, and fortified cereals
- Protein — from peanut butter, fish, poultry, beans, egg whites, and more
- Calcium — your main source is dairy products
- Iron — from lean red meats and spinach
Weight gain is normal, and it’s a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Teens might struggle with their body image during pregnancy. But you shouldn’t try strict, calorically limited diets or try to exercise excessively since these activities can harm your baby.
Can you change your mind about natural birth?
There’s always a chance that you’ll change your mind about pain medication once you actually go into labor. Don’t be upset or disappointed with yourself — plenty of women make the same choice.
Also, it’s far more important for you to be open and flexible during the birthing process rather than stubbornly sticking to a set plan. Birth is unpredictable, and any number of complications could arise.
Of course, you should decide on the delivery that you want with your family and birthing team. Just keep in mind that it’s normal for these plans to change.
What Is Teenage Pregnancy?
Teenage pregnancy is when a woman under 20 gets pregnant. It usually refers to teens between the ages of 15-19. But it can include girls as young as 10. It’s also called teen pregnancy or adolescent pregnancy.
In the U.S., teen birth rates and number of births to teen mothers have dropped steadily since 1990. In 2020, just over 158,000 infants were born to teens 15 to 19 years old, down 75 percent from 1991. That trend is driven both by the fact that fewer teenagers are having sex and that more of them use birth control when they do.
Even so, a much higher share of American teens get pregnant than girls in other developed countries. And the pace of the decline in teen pregnancy in the U.S. differs by race. Non-Hispanic Black girls and Native American girls have seen much slower drops in teen pregnancy compared to Asian American girls.
Here’s what to know about common early signs of pregnancy, how to have a healthy pregnancy at a young age, and information that will help you understand teenage pregnancy.
Teenage Pregnancy Symptoms
Missing one or more menstrual periods is the classic sign of pregnancy. But this can be tricky for teenage girls, whose periods aren’t yet regular. It can also be tricky for girls whose cycles are off as a result of dieting or exercise, low body fat from sports, or anorexia.
The full list of pregnancy signs includes:
- A missed menstrual period
- Nausea or vomiting — called “morning sickness,” though it can happen throughout the day
- Sudden, intense aversion to certain foods, especially meats or fatty, fried foods
- Sore nipples or breasts
- Unusual fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Unusual mood swings
- Feeling lightheaded
- Weight gain
- Swelling belly
A positive pregnancy test is another sign of pregnancy. Today’s home pregnancy tests are generally considered accurate. These simple kits can be bought over the counter in drugstores.
Teenage Pregnancy Risks
Pregnant teens and their unborn babies have unique medical risks.
Lack of prenatal care
Pregnant teens are at risk of not getting the right prenatal care, especially if they don’t have support from their parents. Prenatal care is critical, especially in the first months of pregnancy. Prenatal care looks for medical problems in both mother and baby, monitors the baby’s growth, and deals quickly with any complications that arise. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid — ideally taken before getting pregnant — are essential in preventing certain birth defects such as neural tube defects.
High blood pressure
Pregnant teens have a higher risk of getting high blood pressure — called pregnancy-induced hypertension — than pregnant women in their 20s or 30s. They also have a higher risk of preeclampsia. This is a dangerous medical condition that combines high blood pressure with excess protein in the urine, swelling of a mother’s hands and face, and organ damage.
These medical risks affect the pregnant teen, who may need to take medications to control symptoms. But they can also disrupt the unborn baby’s growth. And they can lead to further pregnancy complications such as premature birth.
Premature birth
A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. A baby that delivers before 37 weeks is a premature baby, or “preemie.” In some cases, premature labor that begins too early in pregnancy can be stopped by medications. Other times, the baby has to be delivered early for the health of the mother or infant. The earlier a baby is born, the more risk there is of respiratory, digestive, vision, cognitive, and other problems.
Low-birth-weight baby
Teens are at higher risk of having low-birth-weight babies. Premature babies are more likely to weigh less than they should. In part, that’s because they’ve had less time in the womb to grow. A low-birth-weight baby weighs only 3.3 to 5.5 pounds. A very-low-birth-weight baby weighs less than 3.3 pounds. Babies that small may need to be put on a ventilator in a hospital’s neonatal care unit for help with breathing after birth.
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
For teens who have sex during pregnancy, STDs such as chlamydia and HIV are a major concern. Using a latex condom during intercourse may help prevent STDs, which can infect the uterus and growing baby.
Postpartum depression
Pregnant teens may be at higher risk of postpartum depression (depression that starts after delivering a baby), according to the CDC. Girls who feel down and sad, either while pregnant or after the birth, should talk openly with their doctors or someone else they trust. Depression can interfere with taking good care of a newborn — and with healthy teenage development — but it can be treated.
Risks to teenage boys
Teen fathers are up to 30% less likely to finish high school than other teenage boys. Worries about their partners’ health, limited money, educational challenges, and other stresses can take a mental, physical, and financial toll on some would-be teen fathers.
Feeling Alone and Isolated
Especially for teens who think they can’t tell their parents they’re pregnant, feeling scared, isolated, and alone can be a real problem. Without the support of family or other adults, pregnant teens are less likely to eat well, exercise, or get plenty of rest. And they are less likely to get to their regular prenatal visits. Having at least one trusted, supportive adult — someone nearby in the community, if not a family member — is invaluable in helping them get the prenatal care and emotional support they need to stay healthy during this time.
Teenage Pregnancy Diagnosis
You usually can check if you’re pregnant with a home test from the first day you miss your period. All pregnancy tests check for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
The home tests check for hCG in your pee. You also can get a blood test at your doctor’s office. The advantage with checking your blood is that it can tell you if you’re pregnant about a week earlier than home kits. Both home and office tests are very accurate, especially if the results say you’re pregnant.
Most states allow minors (almost always defined as someone under 18) the right to seek pregnancy care without notifying their parents. And doctors must keep confidential any information about minors who are pregnant unless they have a legal reason, such as if the teen is a danger to themselves.
Teenage Pregnancy Health Risk Prevention
If you are a teenager who is pregnant, here is how to ensure a healthy pregnancy:
- Get early prenatal care. Call your doctor for your first prenatal visit as soon as you think you might be pregnant. If you can’t afford to see a doctor, ask your school nurse or counselor to help you find a low-cost clinic and other resources. For example, they can help you find state Medicaid or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) programs.
- Stay away from alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. These harm an unborn baby more than they harm a growing teenager. If you’re not able to quit by yourself, ask for help from someone you trust.
- Take a prenatal vitamin with at least 0.4 mg of folic acid every day to help prevent birth defects. Ideally, this should start before you get pregnant.
- Ask for emotional support. Motherhood brings untold emotional and practical challenges — especially for teens still in school. Reach out to others — your friends, family, the baby’s father — for emotional and practical support.
For teenagers who are healthy, chances are good of delivering a healthy, strong baby — especially with early prenatal care and a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.
Teenage Pregnancy Prevention
The surest way to avoid pregnancy is not to have sex. Or if you do have sex, to always use contraception.
The most effective birth control for teenagers is long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). They include implants that go under the skin in your arm or intrauterine devices that your doctor inserts into your uterus. LARCs work 99% of the time to prevent conception. They work for 3-10 years and can be taken out when you want to try to start a family.
If you use birth control pills, condoms, or other forms of contraception, learn how to use them right and follow instructions.
Talk to your parents or trusted adults about how to get birth control if you’re sexually active.
Ask your doctor, your public health center, or a Planned Parenthood clinic for guidance and prescription for birth control. Most nonprofit and community health centers offer care for free or on a sliding-fee scale based on your income.
About Author
