Teenage mothers — a high-risk group for new unintended pregnancies

Abstract

Introduction One of the targets of national health programs is to prevent unintended pregnancies, especially among teenagers. It is well established that these often lead to abortion. Preventive programs aimed at decreasing abortion rates should identify target groups at risk for unintended pregnancies. Purpose This study was conducted to determine whether young mothers under 20 years of age constitute a group at risk for new unintended pregnancies. Methods A retrospective cohort study comprising teenagers giving birth to their first child from 1996 to 2000 was performed at Örebro University Hospital, Sweden. Data were collected from antenatal and medical records with particular regard to compliance with the postpartum visit and to whether a contraceptive method was prescribed. Information concerning repeat pregnancies during the 12 months after delivery was obtained. Results A total of 250 deliveries were recorded; 70% of the mothers attended the postpartum visit, and 71% received contraceptive prescriptions. At the 12-month follow-up, 56 (25%) had a new pregnancy, and of those, 20 (36%) had a legal abortion, making the abortion rate fivefold higher than expected in this age group. Conclusion This study shows that teenagers giving birth constitute a high-risk group for future unintended pregnancies and legal abortion.