Reference no: EM132889685 , Length: word count: 300

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 22 of every 1,000 births are born to teenage mothers" (Grand Canyon University, 2018). Unplanned teenage pregnancy can cause many physical and emotional effects. Those who become pregnant in early adolescence are at increased risk for premature birth, anemia, and preeclampsia. Teenagers who become unexpectedly pregnant are less likely to have adequate prenatal care which can also contribute these risks. It is important for a pregnant teen to have a strong foundation of support during this time in their lives. Unplanned pregnancy counseling can be acquired through adoption agencies and clinics like Planned Parenthood. Planned parenthood can provide an array of resources and education for pregnant teens for little to no cost. Adoption agencies such as American Adoptions can also provide teens with counseling, medical care and financial assistance for teenagers who decide they would like to go the adoption route (American Adoptions, n.d.). From a study done in 2017, teen birth rates in Virginia and at a national level had been steadily decreasing over the past decade. Further, Northern Virginia had about half of the reported teen pregnancies that southwestern Virginia did. The decreases seen could be due to better education and earlier intervention of protective measures such as birth control and use of condoms.

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Discussion 1: Adolescent pregnancy is viewed as a high-risk situation because it poses serious health risks for the mother and the baby. Describe various risk factors or precursors to adolescent pregnancy. Research community and state resources devoted in adolescent pregnancy and describe at least two of these resources. Research the teen pregnancy rates for the last 10 years for your state and community. Has this rate increased or decreased? Discuss possible reasons for an increase or decrease.