Adolescents who become pregnant may not seek proper medical care before the birth, leading to an increased risk for medical complications. In fact, pregnant teenagers need special understanding, medical care and education - particularly about nutrition, infections, substance abuse and complications of pregnancy. They need to learn that using tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, can damage the developing and sensitive foetus. For the health of the mothers and babies, all pregnant teenagers should have medical care from early pregnancy. There also may be times when the pregnant teenager's emotional reactions and mental state will require psychiatric attention, often by a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
Adolescent pregnancy can become part of a harmful pattern passed from generation to generation.
Some young people drop out of school to have their babies. More often than not, the mothers and babies become part of the welfare system and may enter a life of dependency that can further impact on the emotional and physical health of mother and child. The young parents may not really have made an informed decision to have a baby - or may think about having a baby in an idealized and confused way. For example, a young person may view the creation of a child as an achievement and not recognize the responsibilities. Or an adolescent may want a baby to have someone to love, but not recognize the quality of care the baby needs.