Teen pregnancy

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy or early pregnancy occurs in an adolescent woman between early adolescence or puberty - the beginning of childbearing age - and the end of adolescence.  The World Health Organization defines adolescence between 10 and 19 years of age.  It should also include pregnant women who have not reached the legal age of majority, as well as pregnant adolescent women who are in a situation of dependency on the family of origin. The impact of adolescent pregnancies begins with risks to the health of the mother and her child, which are higher as  the pregnant woman is younger;  according to social and economic conditions, health care could be less than ideal, which is a determinant in the subsequent maternal psychosocial development. The objective of this research is to describe the current state of adolescent pregnancy in Ecuador. Young people with low schooling, lower academic and work expectations, lower self-esteem and assertiveness, tend to start their sexually active life at an earlier age, use less contraceptives  and  become pregnant, with the risk of abortion due to the lack of conditions and knowledge that would facilitate a better decision.  Adolescent pregnancy has the following risks: lack of medical care due to poor knowledge about pregnancy, risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia, risk of obstetric fistula, an invisible injury with devastating effects on the lives of thousands of women, and high mortality of the mother.

Keywords: early pregnancy, health risks, social conditions, psychosocial development, sexually active