What are the Pregnancy Symptoms in Teenage Girls?

Teenage pregnancy refers to first pregnancy in a girl who is 19 years old or younger. Reports show that about half of the unintentional teenage pregnancies or adolescent pregnancies result in abortion [1].

Teenage pregnancies can be a challenging experience for any girl, both physically and emotionally. Such pregnancies also increase the risk of birth complications and are a threat to the mother's health. Recognizing pregnancy symptoms in teenage can help in the early detection of pregnancy and plan prenatal care to lower the risk of complications.

What Is Teenage Pregnancy?

Teenage pregnancy occurs when a teenage girl, who is under the age of 20, becomes pregnant. The common causes of teenage pregnancies include lack of proper sexual education and lack of access to contraception [2].

Since most teenage pregnancies are unplanned, they result in many emotional and physical challenges for the mother. This requires medical attention to ensure the health of both the mother and the baby. Early identification of pregnancy symptoms can help in seeking prenatal care in a timely manner.

Pregnancy Symptoms In Teenage

The symptoms of pregnancy in teenagers are similar to those experienced by adult women. Young pregnancy symptoms include:

1. Missed Periods

The most obvious sign of pregnancy that most women notice is missing one or more periods. However, teenagers might confuse this with irregular periods, which are common during adolescence [3]. Factors like diet, physical activities, and body weight significantly impact the pattern of the menstrual cycle in teenage girls.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

Like in adult women, nausea, which is often referred to as "morning sickness," is one of the early signs of pregnancy in teenage girls. Although it is known as morning, it can occur at any time of the day during the early days of pregnancy.

3. Fatigue

Significant hormonal changes occur during the early days of pregnancy to prepare the body for pregnancy. This can lead to fatigue or tiredness in any pregnant female, including teenagers. Fatigue is usually common only in the first trimester, which lasts from week 0 to week 12 of pregnancy [4]

4. Breast Changes

Another major sign that a teenage girl can notice during the early days of pregnancy is changes in the breast tissues. Breasts usually become tender or swollen under the influence of hormonal changes.

5. Frequent Urination

Pregnant teenagers may feel the need to urinate more often. In the early days of pregnancy, this occurs for two common reasons, including hormonal changes and increased blood levels in the body [5]. In the late stages, frequent urination occurs because the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder.

6. Food Cravings or Aversions

During early pregnancy, teenagers may experience strong cravings for certain foods they don't usually eat. They might also develop a dislike for foods or smells they previously enjoyed, known as food aversion. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause these cravings and aversions.

How to Confirm Teenage Pregnancy?

If you are starting to notice early signs of pregnancy, it is a good idea to confirm pregnancy with a test. A home pregnancy test and blood test are the two common options for this purpose.

A home pregnancy test kit checks for a hormone called hCG in urine and can give quick and accurate results. For more detailed information, you can go for a blood test at a clinic or hospital. It’s important to take these tests after a missed period to ensure accurate results.

Possible Complications of Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancies are considered high-risk because the bodies of teenagers are still developing and may not be fully prepared for pregnancy and childbirth. The potential complications include:

1. Preterm Birth:  Studies show that the risk of preterm births is significantly higher in teenage patients compared to adult ones [6]. Preterm birth can lead to health problems such as underdeveloped organs or low birth weight.
2. High Blood Pressure: Teenage mothers are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure or preeclampsia, a condition that can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby.
3. Anemia: Pregnancy in the teenage can increase the risk of iron deficiency, leading to anemia. The common problems associated with anemia are fatigue and weakness in mothers, but it can also cause birth complications.
4. Mental Health Issues: Teenagers may experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, or stress due to the social stigma or emotional challenges associated with teenage pregnancy.

How to Support a Teenager Facing Pregnancy

You can support a teenage pregnancy by encouraging honest and non-judgmental communication to ensure the teenager feels supported. Early prenatal care is essential to monitor the health of both the mother and the baby.

Prenatal care should also include guidance about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Family and friends can play a crucial role in offering practical and emotional assistance during this emotionally and physically challenging period.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is an exciting, yet challenging phase in any woman's life, especially if it is a teenage pregnancy. The risk of pregnancy complications are significantly higher for a teenage pregnant girl and thus prenatal care is essential.

Identifying early pregnancy symptoms in teenage girls, such as missed periods, nausea, or fatigue can help in planning proper medical care and emotional support for them. This can help lower the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby.

Resources Used

1. Mohamed, S., Chipeta, M. G., Kamninga, T., Nthakomwa, L., Chifungo, C., Mzembe, T., Vellemu, R., Chikwapulo, V., Peterson, M., Abdullahi, L., Musau, K., Wazny, K., Zulu, E., & Madise, N. (2023). Interventions to prevent unintended pregnancies among adolescents: a rapid overview of systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02361-8 
2. Chakole, S., Akre, S., Sharma, K., Wasnik, P., & Wanjari, M. B. (2022). Unwanted Teenage Pregnancy and Its Complications: A Narrative Review. Cureus, 14(12), e32662. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32662 
3. Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. (n.d.). ACOG. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2015/12/menstruation-in-girls-and-adolescents-using-the-menstrual-cycle-as-a-vital-sign 
4. Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.-b). Fatigue and tiredness during pregnancy. Pregnancy Birth and Baby. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/dealing-with-fatigue-during-your-pregnancy 
5. Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.-c). Frequent urination during pregnancy. Pregnancy Birth and Baby. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/frequent-urination-during-pregnancy 
6. UZUNOV, A. V., SECARA, D. C., CONSTANTIN, A. E., MEHEDINTU, C., & CIRSTOIU, M. M. (2022). Difference between Preterm Birth in Adolescent and Adult Patients. MæDica, 17(4), 789. https://doi.org/10.26574/maedica.2022.17.4.789