The age of a woman who is too young during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Come on, identify the various risks of getting pregnant under the age of 20 so that you are wiser in planning pregnancy and preventing risky complications.
The ideal age for women to get pregnant is 20-30 years or in their early 30s. Undergoing a pregnancy under the age of 20 can be said to be risky because based on the anatomy of the body, the development of a woman's pelvis at that age is not yet perfect so that it can cause difficulties during childbirth.
Not only physically, pregnant under the age of 20 can also affect the psychology of women who live it.
The Risk of Getting Pregnant Under the Age of 20 in Mothers
Women who are pregnant under the age of 20 often receive negative stigma from their peers or the environment around them, especially if the pregnancy was not planned.
Economic problems are also often an obstacle for women who get pregnant at a very young age because they are generally not well-established and do not have the education or skills that allow them to find work.
In addition to social and economic risks, getting pregnant under the age of 20 can also increase the risk of complications. The following are some of the complications that may occur:
1. Depression
Several studies have shown that women who become pregnant under the age of 20 are more likely to experience postpartum stress or depression than women who become pregnant over the age of 25.
In addition, getting pregnant at a too young age or still a teenager can also increase the risk of stress, baby blues, to the desire to commit suicide. This may be due to the burdens and demands that must be faced because they are not ready to care for and care for their baby.
2. Lack of prenatal care
Getting pregnant under the age of 20 can prevent a woman from getting proper prenatal care, especially if she doesn't get support from her parents or partner.
Prenatal care or routine obstetrical examinations are very important, especially in the first month of pregnancy, so that the health of pregnant women and the development of the fetus in the womb can be monitored during pregnancy.
3. High blood pressure
Various studies show that pregnant women under the age of 20 years are more likely to experience hypertension during pregnancy and preeclampsia, when compared to pregnant women in their 20s or 30s.
If not detected early and treated properly, this condition can endanger the health of pregnant women and fetuses.
4. Anemia
Getting pregnant in your teens can also increase your risk of anemia. This condition can make pregnant women feel weak and tired so that it can affect the growth and development of the fetus. This condition can also increase the risk of pregnant women who are too young to experience postpartum bleeding.
Impact of Maternal Pregnancy Under the Age of 20 Years on the Fetus
Not only affecting pregnant women, complications or risks of getting pregnant under the age of 20 can also be experienced by the fetus, including:
Born prematurely
Mothers who are pregnant under the age of 20 have a higher risk of having a premature birth. The earlier the baby is born, the greater the risk of developmental disorders, birth defects, and impaired respiratory and digestive functions in infants.
In certain cases, getting pregnant under the age of 20 can also increase the risk of miscarriage or fetal death.
Low birth weight
Premature babies tend to have a lower body weight than babies born at term. This condition makes the baby susceptible to the following:
- Difficulty breathing and breastfeeding to the point of requiring a ventilator and undergoing treatment in the hospital NICU
- Learning difficulties and being more susceptible to diabetes and heart disease as adults
- Death while still in the womb
As a form of prevention from various risks that must be faced by pregnant women under the age of 20 years, the government of the Republic of Indonesia changed the minimum age for marriage for women from 16 years to 19 years.
Indeed, not all pregnancies at a young age will cause the various effects above. Some mothers who get pregnant at a young age can still give birth to babies in good health.
However, in general, more pregnant women at a young age experience various health problems or complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. Therefore, if you are under 20 years old and are pregnant, check your pregnancy regularly to the obstetrician for the health of you and the fetus.
To support the condition of your pregnancy, your doctor can provide various suggestions and prescribe prenatal vitamins to keep you and your baby healthy.
