This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
Effects of Adolescent Pregnancies and Its Psychological Impact ¶
As the world marks World Population Day on July 11, 2020, the issue of adolescent pregnancies has taken center stage in Kenya. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in teenage pregnancies, with devastating consequences for young mothers and their babies.
According to a reproductive health expert, Dr. Bruno Okal, when a girl gets pregnant at the age of 16 or 17, her pelvic bones are not yet mature, making her more prone to fractures during delivery. This can lead to serious tears and surgical complications.
Dr. Okal also noted that teenage pregnancies can have a psychological impact on the mother, leading to stress and affecting the production of milk for the baby. Additionally, the pelvis develops as a woman grows in preparation for future pregnancy, making young teens with immature pelvises at risk of carrying pregnancies.
Teenagers are also at a higher risk of preterm birth, which often goes along with low birth weight and may also be in danger of not receiving the right amount of nutrients during pregnancy. Regular prenatal visits, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and taking childbirth and parenting classes can help to reduce these risks and prepare a young mother for a healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.
However, churches in Kenya have been against the introduction of comprehensive sex education in schools, arguing that it would make teenagers more vulnerable to early intercourse. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that adolescents who may want to avoid pregnancies may not be able to do so due to knowledge gaps and misconceptions on where to obtain contraceptive methods and how to use them.
