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Show Perils of Teenage Childbearing Noted Teenaged childbearing is associated with a long list of adverse health and social consequences for young mothers moth-ers and their infants, according accord-ing to Planned Parenthood authorities. Females under 17 gave birth to 210,000 babies out-of-wedlock in 1961. It is estimated that 420,000 pregnant preg-nant girls under 17 either got married because of the pregnancy, preg-nancy, or terminated it. Teenaged mothers have a higher risk of hypertension, toxemia, premature delivery, excessive weight gain and other problems. For the very young mother the risks that her baby will be stillborn, die soon after birth, or be born with a serious physical or mental handicap are much higher than for the mother who is in her twenties. Early childbearing is also associated with high parity and short birth intervals, adding to the already high risks to the life and health of the young mother and hejp infant. Moreover, having a first child in her teens is likely to be a critical and highjy adverse turning point in' a young woman's life. This factor is especially true if the child is conceived out of wedlock, as are about 6 out of 10 babies born to 15 to 19 year olds. In addition 27 percent of babies born to mothers in the age group are born out of wedlock. The teenage mother is likely to drop out of school, will probably not be able to find a steady job to provide for herself and her child, and may be forced into an unhappy marriage. Her choices, most often, are few and poor. By postponing pregnancy, the mother, and the children she may eventually bear, have prospects for a better future. More information on maternal ma-ternal health may be obtained by calling 259-6140 or visiting the Planned Parenthood office, Room 11 in the Arches Building. |