pregnant teens and their unborn babies have unique medical risks. lack of prenatal care teenage girls who are pregnant -- especially if they don't have support from their parents -- are at risk of not getting adequate prenatal care. prenatal care is critical especially in the first months of pregnancy. prenatal care screens for medical problems in both mother and baby monitors the growth of the baby and deals quickly with any complications that arise. prenatal vitamins with folic acid -- ideally taken before getting pregnant -- are key in helping to help prevent 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 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 and bedrest. 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 (1 500 to 2 500 grams). 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 helps prevent getting an std -- which is especially critical during pregnancy. it’s critical because stds can rise up through the cervix and 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) says 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. 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.
what are the medical risks and emotional realities of teen pregnancy?