Health Effects of Teenage Pregnancy-

• Premature births are common to teenage girls.
• One-third of teens do not receive prenatal care. This results in several health issues in their child.
• Many do not have health insurance to cover the costs of their pregnancy and delivery. So they cannot obtain proper medical care.
• Nutrition deficiency is common in pregnant teens. They have improper food habits like – dieting, snacking, eating fast foods or skipping meals etc. This affects the growth and development of the mother and the child.
• Majority of complications arising during pregnancy are due to insufficient nutrition and medical support. This results in 70,000 teen deaths each year.
• Many teen mothers may have been infected by HIV. There is always a risk of passing the infection to their babies.
• According to WHO, the risk of death following pregnancy is larger in teens (15-19 years old) than in women (20-24 years old).
• 14 years girl has weakly developed pelvis. On conception will lead to many risks with childbirth and health of the mother.
• Teens undergo Cesarean generally. However, where medical facilities are unavailable, maternal deaths may occur.

Socio-economic Impact of Pregnancy In Teens-

Types Of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR):
There are types of intrauterine growth restrictions. These are:

• Systemic Or Primary Intrauterine Growth Restriction: It is the condition in which all the internal organs of baby are reduced to a smaller size. This condition is found in 20 – 25% of the cases.
• Asymmetric Or Secondary Intrauterine Growth Restriction: It is the condition in which the head and brain of the developing baby is of the normal size but abdominal portion gets reduced. This condition can be evident only after the third trimester begins.

Causes Of Intrauterine Growth Restriction ( IUGR):
The causes of intrauterine growth restriction are:

• Mother has heart disease
• Weight of mother is less than 100 pounds
• Chromosomal abnormalities or birth defects
• Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)
• Abnormality in umbilical cord
• Abnormality in placenta
• Mother suffers from gestational diabetes
• Multiple pregnancies
• Low levels of amniotic fluid

Risks To Baby Born With IUGR:

• The baby born can have an increased risk of hypoxia ( lack of oxygen when baby is born).
• The chances of cesarean delivery increases in such conditions
• A condition called meconium aspiration can occur in which the baby swallows the part of first bowel movement. This can cause pneumothorax or development of bacterial pneumonia in the thorax region.
• Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar
• Polycythemia ( increase in number RBCs.)
• Hyper viscosity or a condition in which the flow of blood is reduced due an increase in RBCs.
• Chances of motor and neurological disabilities increases.

This disease can be cured and if it is left incured then it can result in pelvic inflammatory disease in women which can a reason for infertility and also damage to the reproductive organs.

Symptoms Of Chlamydia:
The symptoms of chlamydia includes:

• Increase in vaginal discharge
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Urinating is followed by the pain
• Painful sex will be there
• Bleeding will be there in between the sex and after sex.

How Can Chlamydia Affect Pregnancy:

Chlamydia during pregnancy can result in various infections in the amniotic sac and its fluid. Pre term or premature rupture of the membranes and pre term birth can happen due to this condition. Chlamydia also increases the risks for miscarriages too. These can be reduced if the immediate treatment is undertaken.

If Chlamydia is left untreated it can also result in HIV infection. If this infection will be caused during labor then there are huge chances of this disease to get transferred to your baby.

Previous Chlamydia Causes Problems With Pregnancy:

If you had suffered from Chlamydiae infection you can face problems with your pregnancy. Actually, the infection of Chlamydia causes damage to the pelvic region and the corresponding reproductive organs. This can be directly linked with some of the main problems of the pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is the main condition which is directly linked with the chlamydia infection. Apart from this major issues of infertility can also be the result of this infection which has taken place earlier.

Types Of Anaesthesia Used For Labor:

Use Of General And Regional Anaesthesia During Labor:
The general and regional Anaesthesia was used in the earlier days. It was given to the ladies before delivery. This anaesthesia puts the entire body and mind to complete sleep. It very safe and sound substance and used today but only in serious caesarean operations. This type of anaesthesia have the drawback that when patient wakes up after the operation he or she will wake up disoriented, restless and may vomit. They may have sluggish bowels and bladder.

Epidural During The Labor and Child Birth:

Epidural is also an anaesthesia which is injected into the spine directly. So, it first infects the spine and from there it enters the blood stream. It takes nearly 15 minutes to be activated and make the person unconscious. As this anaesthesia is injected through the spine it do not harm the baby in any sense.
As this do not work like an instant shot this has to be given 15 minutes prior to the operation. This injection will make the entire lower numb and the pain of the contractions will not be felt.

Local Anaesthesia:

This type of anaesthesia is very commonly used these days as it numbs only a small part of the body. It for the same reason it is called as local anaesthesia. Once it is injected portion which is to be operated becomes numb and person becomes unconscious for an hour or so. This is also used for labor and abortion purposes.

Umbilical Cord Infection:

The cord of umbilical is a dead tissue and gets rotten off slowly. Whenever the skin around the baby’s belly button gets swollen up, red in color, and inflamed it can be the signs for the developing infection. In Case the infection becomes severe it can be a threat for the life too.

The factors which can result in infection of the umbilical cord are:

• If the cord is cut with non sterile instrument then it can result in the infection.
• If baby is kept along with many other babies. In such a case there are chances for the transfer of the disease or infection.
• The infection is commonly found in the premature babies where the immune system is not totally developed to prevent any such infection.

Steps Taken To Avoid Infection:
Few steps must be taken care of to avoid the infection of the umbilical cord. These are:

• The stump of the umbilical and area surrounding it must be kept clean.
• Use of alcohol must be done carefully while using it for cleaning purposes in and around the umbilical.
• Make sure that cord is always exposed to air. This is because exposure to air will minimise the healing time of the umbilical cord.
• The baby must be given a sponge bath till the time the umbilical cord has fallen off.
• Make sure that umbilical cord dries off natural as this is the best way to prevent infection away from it.
• Any kind of redness, swelling, discharge is the indication of some infection. So, if this happens immediate medical aid must be taken.

Unborn Baby Hiccups:
Pregnant ladies normally have the feeling of their child having hiccups inside the womb. These hiccups can start from even the first trimester itself. But their feeling starts only in the later part of second trimester or the third trimester itself. Sometimes, mothers bother if hiccups can affect their baby. Hiccups during pregnancy do not affect the baby in any way; they are not at all harmful. Although the reason of hiccups are not known but it is considered that hiccups strengthen the diaphragm muscle, thus helping them to breathe both when they are inside the womb and when they are born. Sometimes, hiccups occurs at the same time every day.

Not only the hiccups are felt by the mother but they can also be noticed in ultrasounds and also noticed by Doppler while doctor is having routine checkup.

Hiccups After Birth:
If your baby had hiccups when it was in womb it is fore sure that he/she will have it after birth too. Even if due to some or other reason he/she does not have it there they will certainly have them after birth. Hiccups after birth do not harm the baby. Neither are they painful to child. Hiccups after the birth can occur as early as the day on which the child is born.

Hiccups occurs when the muscle of diaphragm of the baby contracts; it causes the baby to take quick short breaths. This results in hiccups. These hiccups remain for some time only. They must not bother you much. But if you are bothered and want to avoid them just try to burp your baby most often while you feed them. To stop hiccups feed them with bottle or your breast. Constant sucking will make the muscle of diaphragm relax and hiccups will not be there.

Acupressure For Pregnancy:
Acupressure for pregnancy is a simple series of natural techniques used for inducing labor from home. With the help of acupressure, labor period is shortened during the birthing process. This happens because by the time lady reaches the hospital the cervix has already become to dilate. If applied correctly this has been a proven process to stimulate natural contractions associated with child birth.

Performing pregnancy acupressure does not require previous experience. . It is very simple to locate pressure points, if once you recognize them, then it is very simple to stimulate labor pain. Stimulation of these points has proven to induce contraction in about 80% of women.

Acupressure For Labor:
Midwives and professional Doulas are using it for long time to induce labor. Acupressure gently begins the delivery process. Later, alleviate the pressure pain and discomfort associated with going through labor.
Maternity acupressure techniques help in increase blood flow, eliminate pain, and reduce stress on pregnant woman. At the same time it aids in contractions, dilations and provides dilation to baby. Massage during labor includes various pressure points in body to stimulate some other parts of body. it consists of gentle pressure applied with finger tips, ball of thumb and sometimes the ball or elbow.

Dangers Of Using Acupressure To Induce Labor:
Till now, there has been no report which could proof that use of acupressure to induce labor has been dangerous. It considered as one of the safest and quickest way to induce labor. Acupressure is a natural way of inducing labor so it is safe and healthy.

Pilates And Pregnancy:

Pilates is considered to a simple and easy way for pregnant women to perform exercises. It is a best and effective way to prepare a mother before she birth to a baby. When a woman is pregnant she finds it hard to exercise. But Pilates is an ultimate solution to this problem. it not only rejuvenates mind but also strengthen the body and endurance. Especially the pelvic, the abdominal and the back muscles. These women use during their labor and delivery stages. Pilates also makes muscles lithe thus making them flexible. Flexibility of muscles is necessary for giving birth to young one.

Pilates also provides muscles the stamina and body a balanced posture. During pregnancy the muscles of abdominal rectus are stretched out. By the end of pregnancy they are on the sides of uterus. Maintaining abdominal muscle tone early in pregnancy will help abs to stretch more towards the end of pregnancy. Strengthening torso, back and pelvic muscle will help in carrying the baby, especially in the nine month. It will also make the birth of child easier. A well toned strong pelvic floor muscle will more easily stretch and easily allow the baby to pass through without tearing.

A woman may not begin to snore immediately once she is pregnant but may start snoring during the second trimester onwards.

The reason a woman snores is due to the natural extra weight she puts on during pregnancy, especially during the later stages of pregnancy. Also, there are more chances of a woman to resort to snoring if she has a naturally large neck area.

However, snoring is not very good for the mother’s health as it leads to maternal asthma. It causes intense swelling and inflammation of the throat airway walls making breathing extremely difficult. A woman may be hale and healthy before pregnancy without a trace of asthma, however, may suffer from asthma due to weight gain after pregnancy.

Maternal asthma may also lead to snoring in the long run. Snoring is very harmful during pregnancy and may also lead to hypertension.

However, snoring during pregnancy can be avoided if the following simple steps are followed.
1) Avoid coffee and any caffeine related products.
2) Make sure you sleep on your side.
3) Prop your head up high so that there is a better breathing passage.
4) Do not cover your face while sleeping.

These are some tips that you can keep in mind and which can prove to be very useful to you.

The child though unborn is alive to all the noises and emotions of the mother. And when spoken and loved before birth tends to respond to the mother’s voice immediately after birth amongst the many voices it hears.

Here are some tips on how the mother can develop a bond with the unborn fetus.

Massage Your Belly Smoothly: And as you massage, talk soothingly to your baby. You may find it awkward initially but later on you may get used to the very idea of talking to your baby.

Make Time: Make time everyday to talk to the little one in your womb. It is a beautiful experience and you will be surprised to see the baby responding to your voice.

Play Soothing Music: Music is a balm to the soul and its affect is the most on babies. Listen to your favorite music often and as your body calms, you will find a calming reaction in your womb also.

Read Stories To The Baby: This is another way of communicating to your child. Sing to your baby; touch your baby as often as you can. These are ways you can connect to the unborn.

Surround Yourself With Pleasant Things: This will have a soothing and calming effect on you and your baby.

Feel The Baby: During the last stages of pregnancy as you gently press against your stomach you can feel the baby’s body, and sometimes the baby also pushes back when you press your tummy.

These are beautiful ways you connect to your baby. The warmth of it is very overwhelming and should be experienced by every mother. Don’t wait for the baby to be born to enjoy its presence, instead go ahead and experience the beautiful relationship with the babe in your womb.