Programs that delay attempts at sexual intercourse are the first line of defense. Parents can have open, honest, and educational talks at home. Professionals can help parents obtain educational materials. They can also give advice to teenagers about how to prevent pregnancies.
Prevention may include easy access to birth control. Emergency contraception may be discussed with all sexually active teenagers.
The long-term effects of teenage pregnancy are far reaching. Single motherhood is associated with the following:
It can be overwhelming when an infant is born prematurely. The needs of the infant may be too difficult for the teen to deal with.
Infants born to teenage mothers are at higher risk of the following: