Medical Risks for Teenage Pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy robs a young girl of a normal life along with posing major risks to her health. Medline plus says some risks include premature delivery and anemia. Also, many pregnant teens do not receive proper prenatal care, putting the health of both mother and baby at risk.
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Anemia
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Anemia is a condition that causes fatigue from a low red blood cell count. Teen mothers are at a higher risk for developing anemia during pregnancy because their bodies are not fully developed. Anemia can be prevented with diet and lifestyle changes. Teen mothers should eat adequate protein and take iron supplements. In addition, teens who are pregnant should drink plenty of water and get prenatal care.
Preeclampsia
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According to Medline Plus, another risk of teen pregnancy is preeclampsia. This condition is also called pregnancy-induced hypertension or high blood pressure. Teens and women over the age of 35 are at high risk for developing high blood pressure. The only treatment is delivery of the baby, which could result in pre-term birth. Mothers with preeclampsia suffer with severe swelling, decreased urine flow and sudden weight gain. Preeclampsia can happen at any time, but it usually happens during the third trimester. The third trimester is the last three months of pregnancy.
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Placenta Previa
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Medline Plus says another major risk for pregnant teens is placenta previa. Placenta previa is a complication that occurs when the placenta grows on the opening of the cervix. This area is the lowest part of the womb, and this is also the region where the baby exits during delivery. If the opening to the cervix is blocked, this can cause bleeding during labor, resulting in an emergency C-section. The placenta may remain in this dangerous area or it might move as the pregnancy progresses. Good prenatal care is one way to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
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