Teenage Pregnancy
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
Most teenage girls don't plan to get pregnant, but many do. Teen pregnancies carry extra health risks to both the mother and the baby. Often, teens don't get prenatal care soon enough, which can lead to problems later on. They have a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure and its complications. Risks for the baby include premature birth and a low birth weight.
If you're a pregnant teen, you can help yourself and your baby by:
- Getting regular prenatal care
- Taking your prenatal vitamins for your health and to prevent some birth defects
- Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs
- Using a condom, if you are having sex, to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that could hurt your baby. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Pregnancy Test · National Library of Medicine
- Symptoms of Pregnancy: What Happens First · Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number.
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