Originally Posted by grammadidi
The infants of teen parents have higher rates of birth defects, lower birth weights, more disabilities, and are more prone to die within the first year of life. Teen mothers have a higher risk of a difficult pregnancy and birth problems such as anemia, problems with their bones, emotional problems before and after birth (ie: post partum blues). You will be much more likely to deliver pre-term, which can jeopardize both your and the baby's health. You will also be more likely to have a second pregnancy within a year. On top of that, the children of teen parents are more likely to spend the remainder of their lives in poverty, and to become teen parents themselves.
Have you considered that you could have a multiple birth? What about dealing with birth defects? Are you financially capable of dealing with ongoing health problems? Will you be going back to work after the baby is born? What if there is brain damage... can you both deal with that at this age and for the rest of your lives?
Believe me, I speak from experience. Having a child is a lifetime committment. Having two children in 10 or 11 months and one of them suffering from minimal brain damage due to a difficult pregnancy can be hell. Seeing your infant having seizures, losing your partner because they thought they could do it but they can't, fighting for special education, having the child who does not have a disability suffer from the lack of time you can spend with them, your health suffering because of the pregnancies, having to have a hysterectomy when you are 29 because of the choices you made at 16 or 17 - none of it is a picnic.
I just hope that you have given thought to all of the above. I can tell you a heck of a lot more, too. If you are not pregnant I hope you and your fiance at least consider the things that I have written about. If you are pregnant then congratulations and may you not have to deal with any of the issues that most teenage parents do.
Hugs, Didi
