teenage preganancy

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Our society claims to be modern and aping the western culture. But, are we able to change our thought process accordingly or are we still facing doubts on whether to accept certain issues or not. Teenage pregnancy is one such issue. Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy attained between puberty and the age of 19. 

The other day, CHILDLINE Trivandrum received an emergency call from a PRO of Trivandrum’s most prominent government hospital. It was a case of teenage pregnancy. Karthika (Given Name) is a student of class IX in one of city’s leading school for girls. Over the past few days, the teachers noticed certain abnormalities and unusual behaviour patterns in the girl. Upon questioning, she revealed that, her relationship with her neighbour had gone physical, and now she was carrying. Her parents were called upon and the matter was informed. Though devastated, they made up their mind on what next to be done. At the medical facility, the child’s parents had brought her for an abortion. But things were already out of hand, as she was seven months pregnant.

CHILIDLINE team intervened in the case and talked with both parents and the child. The girl confessed that the relationship was mutual. But what made us wonder, was details given about the abuser. The man was 28 years old, a seasoned criminal. He has been booked under various cases including ganja peddling and sexual abuse/assault. Recently, a girl with whom the alleged suspect had a relation committed suicide fearing social backlash. We provided counselling for the child and sent her back with her parents, assuring full support.

THE SHOCK FACTOR    

One of the worst fears a parent can have is, when they get to know that their daughter is pregnant. What is even more astonishing is when your daughter comes home and confesses to you that she’s “in trouble”.

The girl may still be in high school, maybe she is younger. And maybe she is still in college or just set out on her own with a carefully thought out plan. Maybe the parents knew about the boyfriend, or maybe they didn’t even know she had one. At times they are completely surprised by the fact that she’s even had a relationship! It really doesn’t matter how this happened, the fact is that it did and now, the daughter needs help.

REASONS

The culturally rooted practice of early marriage due to socio-cultural and economic pressure and pre-marital sex are the causative factors of early pregnancies. While incidence of teenage pregnancy is high among those in rural areas, it is not so with the urban teenagers. Some of the reasons for teenage pregnancy are:-

1. Child marriage is a social evil which needs to be curbed in order to curb teenage pregnancy and the ruining of the lives of millions of adolescent girls.

2. Exposure to domestic violence especially of a sexual nature and minors’ being raped often leads to pregnancy.

3. High risk behaviour such as smoking, alcohol and substance abuse can be one of the main reasons.

4. Stress and depression often leads to a situation in which a child might fall into the pit of unprotected sex and can be pregnant.

5. Financial constraints in poor families often lead to adolescents taking steps which are bound to affect their lives in a negative manner.

6. Family problems often cause children to seek love and support elsewhere and often is a cause of early relationships

6. Above all, the most common reason for teen pregnancy is unprotected sex.

THE SOCIAL BACKLASH

A teenager who gets pregnant finds it difficult to be accepted socially. They experience isolation, guilt accompanied by stress and depression, low self esteem, lack of interest in studies, limited job prospects, and lack of support group or friends, mental and emotional trauma. In such a situation even the parents and friends find it hard to help the female. Friends often want to help, but due to the social stigma, do not come forward. Often the teenager is left in isolation and the post effects of this can be prolonged and depressing.

PREVENTION AND CARE

Explaining the health risks associated with teenage pregnancy, a senior gynaecologist at Govt. Rajaji Hospital, Tamil Nadu said, “Pregnant teenagers are likely to develop complaints of anaemia, mal-presentation and blood pressure. In cases of unplanned pregnancy, the patient will undergo mental and physical trauma”. It also leads to psychological disorder and affects the baby to be born. There are various methods by which teenage pregnancy can be prevented. A few of them are:

1 Parents and schools should have open talks with teenagers regarding sex and related issues. Sex education forms an important part of the above process.

2. Providing advice on how to prevent teenage pregnancy.

3. Proper contraceptive counselling should be done and the teenagers should have full information about contraceptive options such as birth control pills, condoms, etc.

4. Display responsible sexual behaviour and abstain from sex as far as possible.

Finally, the teenage girls should take it upon themselves to make their choice of contraception because it is they who suffer from the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy.

END NOTE

The key to reproductive health is making motherhood safer through access to family planning to reduce unintended pregnancies and to space intended pregnancies and provide skilled care for all pregnancies and births. It’s easy to say but hard to be in a situation and cope with it. The question that still remains is that “Will teenage pregnancy ever be socially acceptable?” As in, will people ever come forward to help a child in such a situation or will they disregard her to live a life of hell without any help.