About Teen Pregnancy

In 2017, a total of 194,377 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years, for
a birth rate of 18.8 per 1,000 women in this age group. This is another record low
for U.S. teens and a drop of 7% from 2016.1 Birth rates fell 10% for women aged
15–17 years and 6% for women aged 18–19 years.2

Although reasons for the declines are not totally clear, evidence suggests these
declines are due to more teens abstaining from sexual activity, and more teens who
are sexually active using birth control than in previous years.3, 4

Still, the U.S. teen pregnancy rate is substantially higher than in other western
industrialized nations5, and racial/ethnic and geographic disparities in teen birth rates
persist.6

Disparities in Teen Birth Rates

Teen birth rates declined from 2016 to 2017 for most racial groups and for
Hispanics.2 Among 15- to 19-year-olds, teen birth rates decreased:

 15% for non-Hispanic Asians

 9% for Hispanics
 8% for non-Hispanic whites
 6% for non-Hispanic blacks
 6% for American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN)1

In 2017, the birth rates of Hispanic teens (28.9) and non-Hispanic black teens
(27.5) were more than two times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white teens
(13.2). The birth rate of American Indian/Alaska Native teens (32.9) was highest
among all race/ethnicities.1 Geographic differences in teen birth rates persist, both
within and across states. Among some states with low overall teen birth rates, some
counties have high teen birth rates.6

Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, is pregnancy in a

female under the age of 20. Pregnancy can occur with sexual intercourse after the
start of ovulation, which can be before the first menstrual period (menarche) but
usually occurs after the onset of periods. In well-nourished females, the first period
usually takes place around the age of 12 or 13.

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same pregnancy related issues as other
women. There are additional concerns for those under the age of 15 as they are less
likely to be physically developed to sustain a healthy pregnancy or to give birth. For
girls aged 15–19, risks are associated more with socioeconomic factors than with the
biological effects of age. Risks of low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and pre-
eclampsia are connected to biological age, being observed in teen births even after
controlling for other risk factors (such as accessing prenatal care etc.).

Teenage pregnancies are associated with social issues, including lower

educational levels and poverty. Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually
outside of marriage and carries a social stigma. Teenage pregnancy in developing
countries often occurs within marriage and half are planned. However, in these
societies, early pregnancy may combine with malnutrition and poor health care to
cause medical problems. When used in combination, educational interventions and
access to birth control can reduce unintended teenage pregnancies.

In 2015 about 47 females per 1,000 had children well under the age of 20.
Rates are higher in Africa and lower in Asia. In the developing world about 2.5
million females under the age of 16 and 16 million females 15 to 19 year old have
children each year. Another 3.9 million have abortions. It is more common in rural
than urban areas. Worldwide, complications related to pregnancy are the most
common cause of death among females 15 to 19 year old

The Importance of Prevention

Teen pregnancy and childbearing bring substantial social and economic costs
through immediate and long-term impacts on teen parents and their children.

 Pregnancy and birth are significant contributors to high school dropout rates
among girls. Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma
by 22 years of age, whereas approximately 90% of women who do not give
birth during adolescence graduate from high school.10
 The children of teenage mothers are more likely to have lower school
achievement and to drop out of high school, have more health problems, be
incarcerated at some time during adolescence, give birth as a teenager, and
face unemployment as a young adult.11
 On a positive note, between 1991 and 2015, the teen birth rate dropped 64%,
which resulted in $4.4 billion in public savings in 2015 alone.12

Evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs have been identified by

the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) TPP Evidence
ReviewExternal, which used a systematic process for reviewing evaluation studies
against a rigorous standard. Currently, the Evidence Review covers a variety of
diverse programs, including sexuality education programs, youth development
programs, abstinence education programs, clinic-based programs, and programs
specifically designed for diverse populations and settings. In addition to evidence-
based prevention programs, teens need access to youth-friendly contraceptive and
reproductive health services and support from parents and other trusted adults, who
can play an important role in helping teens make healthy choices about
relationships, sex, and birth control.

How common is teenage pregnancy?

Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in a woman 19 years of age or younger. A

woman can get pregnant if she has vaginal sex with a man at any age after she’s begun
having regular monthly periods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2017,
around 194,000 babies were born to American girls between the ages of 15 to 19.
 While the number of teenage pregnancies in the United States has been in
decline, it still remains higher than in other industrialized countries.

What are the signs of pregnancy?

You’ll probably first realize you’re pregnant when you skip a regular period.
But if you get a very light period around the time you expect it, don’t assume you’re
not pregnant. It’s possible to have very light bleeding in the first few weeks of
pregnancy.

Signs of pregnancy include:

 missed or very light period

 breast tenderness
 nausea, often in the morning
 vomiting
 feeling lightheaded
 fainting
 weight gain
 feeling tired
 swelling abdomen

How does teenage pregnancy affect teen mothers?

Teens are at a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure

(preeclampsia) and its complications than average age mothers. Risks for the baby
include premature birth and low birth weight. Preeclampsia can also harm the
kidneys or even be fatal for mother or baby.

Pregnant teens also have a higher chance of becoming anemic. Anemia is a

reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs). This can make you feel weak
and tired and can affect your baby’s development.

Giving birth in the United States is safer than ever, but it’s still more
dangerous for a teen than for a woman 20 or older. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), complications during pregnancy or childbirth are the leading
cause of death globally for girls ages 15 to 19.

If you get pregnant as a teen, you might feel frightened and worried about
telling your family and friends. Not talking to someone and not getting the help and
support you need, can make you feel more isolated and depressed. This can lead to
problems in home and at school.

Many pregnant teens drop out of school, and some never complete their
education. That means a lot of mothers who get pregnant as teenagers live in
poverty.

Women who first got pregnant as teens are more likely to have more than one
child. About one in five births to a teen mother is a repeat birth. A woman with little
education and multiple children to care for will find it very difficult to earn a living.