Attitudes of Teenage Mothers towards Pregnancy and Childbirth

Teenage parents and their children-position paper of the European academy of paediatrics and the European confederation of primary care paediatricians

Introduction

Teenage parenthood presents multifaceted implications, affecting adolescent parents, their children, and extended families. Despite a decrease in teenage pregnancy rates across Europe, the phenomenon continues to present significant challenges, impacting not only the adolescent parents but also their offspring and extended families.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted. Key factors influencing teenage pregnancies, including socioeconomic background, family structure, and access to sex education and contraception, were examined. This review was supplemented by expert opinions from the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) and the European Confederation of Primary Care Paediatricians (ECPCP).

Results

The triad of mother, father, and child presents individual distinct healthcare needs and vulnerabilities, highlighting the importance of specialized support and healthcare. This paper explores the psychological, social, and educational repercussions of teenage parenthood on both parents and their children, including higher risks of postpartum depression, school dropout, and repeat pregnancies. Furthermore, it underscores the critical role that paediatricians and primary care providers play in supporting these young families.

Discussion

The position paper advocates for comprehensive care for adolescent parents and their children. It recommends preventive measures such as proper sex education and access to contraception to reduce unplanned teenage pregnancies. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for specialized healthcare and support for teenage parents to address their unique challenges and improve outcomes for both parents and their children.

Perception and experience of relatives of pregnant teenagers: A qualitative study in the North and Northeast departments of Haiti

Teenage pregnancy remains a global problem because of its consequences for the teenager, her child, her family, and society. In Haiti, this type of pregnancy burdens the family economy. In addition, the adolescent fertility rate is still high, despite efforts to reduce it. This article aims to analyze the perception and experiential experience of relatives of pregnant adolescents in Haiti. A qualitative study design based on Dewey's social survey was conducted. Data were collected from 17 relatives (partners, parents, guardians, and others) of pregnant adolescents in Haiti's North and Northeast departments. These data were analyzed using thematic analysis. According to the results, teenage pregnancy is seen as a disaster or a social problem in Haiti. It leads to many psychosocial and economic difficulties for the relatives, who are the only source of economic and social support for pregnant adolescents. Considering the vulnerability of relatives, policies, and interventions aimed at reducing the negative consequences of teenage pregnancy should consider this group of individuals.

Relationship of Self-Esteem With Body Image and Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Pregnancy

The current study aimed to determine the relationship of self-esteem with attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy and body image in Iranian pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 228 women from Tabriz, Iran. A cluster random sampling method was used. Instruments were the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Scale of Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Pregnancy, and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. To determine the correlation of self-esteem with attitudes toward motherhood and body image, Pearson correlation test was used in bivariate analysis, and the general linear model (GLM) with adjustment of potential confounders was used in multivariate analysis. There was a direct correlation between self-esteem and body image (r = 0.63) and attitudes toward motherhood (r = 0.45). Results of the GLM showed a significant improvement in attitudes toward motherhood (p < 0.001) and body image (p < 0.001) as self-esteem increased. Based on these results, mental health counseling is recommended to promote pregnant women's self-esteem. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].

Obstetrical Soft Tissue Trauma during Spontaneous Vaginal Birth in the Romanian Adolescent Population-Multicentric Comparative Study with Adult Population

Romania is a country with high rates of adolescent births, associating scarce comprehensive obstetrical management with this specific population. This research aims to assess soft tissue trauma after vaginal birth in teenage mothers compared to their adult counterparts. A retrospective case-control study was conducted for one year in two hospitals. All vaginal deliveries were considered; the age cut-off value was considered at 20 years old for case and control groups. Lacerations were divided into three subgroups, considering the involved anatomical region; group I: labial and periurethral lacerations, group II: vaginal and perineal lacerations, and group III: cervical lacerations. There were 1498 women included in the study: 298 young mothers and 1200 adults. Teenagers were more likely to have an episiotomy during vaginal delivery compared to adult women: 56% versus 26.7% (p = 0.00, Pearson Chi-square) and a 1.89 times increased risk for developing additional group II lacerations: p = 0.01, Pearson Chi-square test with Bonferroni correction: OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.18–3.02. Group II lacerations were the most frequent type of birth trauma in both study groups. Fetal weight ≥4000 g was associated with a two times higher risk for vaginal and perineal lacerations when age criterion was not considered (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.13–3.47, p = 0.01). The incidence of group I and II lacerations increased with age: from 0% and 9.1% between 10 and 14 years old to 6% and 26.2% between 18 and 19 years old. All groups of lacerations were more often identified in the case group, compared to the adult group. Fetal macrosomia and spontaneously ruptured membranes at admission could not be documented as risk factors for obstetrical injury in young mothers. Episiotomy performed in teenagers was not a protective procedure for group II lacerations.