CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF EARLY PREGNANCY AMONG THE TEENAGERS

IN THE PHILIPPINES

____________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements in
ENGLISH 10

___________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements in
ENGLISH 10

_____________________________________

Submitted by.
Maureece Audrey M. Datuon
10- Atienza
May 30, 2023

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Furthermore, I want to express my appreciation to my classmates, especially

my friend Ira R. Garcia, for her, never-ending support, and late-night critique sessions.
Many thanks to them for providing the inspiration I needed to work hard and complete this
project. I'd also like to apologize to her for bothering just only to ask some study-related
questions, despite the fact that she is also working on her own research paper.

I'm also thankful that my family is always there to support me. Their faith in me
has kept me motivated to work really hard and to finish this research. A simple suggestion is
really a big help to me, that’s why I want to show my appreciation for all the things that they
do for me

Last but not least, And most importantly to God Almighty for giving upon me the
power and wisdom that are necessary for me to finish this task.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Page

I. Introduction …………………………………………………. 5
II. Body
A. Symptoms …………………………………………… 7
1. Nausea
2. Breast change
3. Headache
4. Leg cramp
5. Missed period
6. Fatigue
7. Food aversion
8. Backache
9. Itchy skin
10. Mood changes
11. Abdominal pain
B. Causes ……………………………………………….. 12
1. Lack of parental guidelines
2. Lack of sex education
3. Unprotected sex
4. Drugs and alcohol
5. Peer pressure/ Sexual abuse
6. Child prostitution
7. Low socio-economic status
8. Early marriage
9. Media influence

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 C. Effects …………………………………………………… 16
1. Anemic
2. High blood
3. Premature birth
4. Postpartum depression
5. Infant mortality
6. Trauma

D. Choices …………………………………………………… 20
1. Abortion
2. Adoption
3. Raise the child
D. Prevention ………………………………………………… 21
1. Parental guidelines

2. Sex education programs

3. Spread awareness

4. Use protection

5. Seek help

III. Conclusion …………………………………………………… 23

IV. References …………………………………………………… 24

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I. INTRODUCTION

Motherhood is one of the most wonderful times in a woman's life, as she relishes
every minute of it in eager anticipation of holding the child in her arms. It also creates a
positive atmosphere and a joyful feeling among her loved ones. But nowadays children
above 18 are getting pregnant early even before they are of legal age, many of them do not
enjoy their childhood because they gave birth at a young age, teenage pregnancy, on the
other hand, has been viewed as a burden, not only for the girl but also for her family,
because having a baby is a big responsibility. The current birth rate for the Philippines in
2023 is 19.579 births per 1000 people, a 1.01% decline from 2022, it is slightly lower
compared to previous years. According to data from 2020, the three regions that are
responsible for 43% of all births to teenagers, the three provinces with the highest rates of
teen pregnancy are Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City. In Cagayan de
Oro City, the youngest known pregnant teen was 11 years old. The young mother was 12
years old in Valencia City.

This research paper will provide information and knowledge about early
pregnancy and how to prevent it. Many teenagers are anomalous for what they already have.
They want more exciting things to enjoy their teenage life which turns to trying things they
are curious about like sex, so some of them are victims of their curiousity, while others are
victims of sexual abuse which leads to pregnancy at a young age. However, the reasons for
having a child do not stop here. That is why many organizations assist young people who
become pregnant at a young age; we must all work together to stop these kinds of things to
prevent more adolescent women and young men to avoid them from having children and
safeguard them from various forms of violence.

Being pregnant at a young age can cause many problems and it is also bad for the
newborn or infant. In both terms of their health and their finances. It was also stated that
being pregnant at such a young age is bad for a teenager's health because their bodies aren't
ready to carry a child and this can sometimes lead to fatal complications. Since a female's
pregnancy and childbirth years are between the ages of 15 and 18 there is a strong tendency
for repeat pregnancies, which may result in having more children and the possibility of

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having multiple partners, both of which are health risks. It not only affects the health of the
mother but as well as their studies and social life High school dropout rates are higher for
teen mothers. But when they pursued their education and revealed that they are pregnant,
they sometimes experienced bullying and people making fun of their condition, that's why
many pregnant teenagers drop out from school and stay at home to avoid discrimination.

According to the council, female adolescents who become pregnant have older
male partners, according to research involving very young adolescence of 10-14 years old.
As a result, Republic Acts 11596 and 11648 were passed to protect the aforementioned age
group from child marriage and raise the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old. RA
11596 promotes the well-being of Filipino children by prohibiting and protecting them from
engaging in any type of child marriage that is harmful to their development process as
productive members of society. The penalty for anyone who causes, fixes, facilitates, or
arranges a child marriage, including anyone who performs or officiates a child marriage, is
criminally liable under RA 11596 and faces up to 12 years in prison and a fine. And the
republic act 11648 Act Also provides for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual
Exploitation and Abuse, Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory
Sexual assault, and that whoever transgresses shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal
to reclusion perpetua.

This paper intend to answer basic questions about Causes and Effects of Early
Pregnancy among the Teenagers in the Philippines. Specifically the paper will try to answer
the following questions:
1. What is teenage pregnancy?
2. What are the reasons why many teenagers get pregnant so early?
3. What are the effects of pregnancy to those who gave birth at a young age
4. Are drugs and alcohol are also related why young people in aged of 12-18 got
pregnant?
5. Why should adolescents study sex education, especially for those who are 10
to 14 years old or older?

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II. BODY

A. Symptoms of Pregnancy

1. Nausea - From the very beginning of pregnancy, symptoms such as nausea and
vomiting, sometimes known as morning sickness, are rather common.

You may experience symptoms at any time of day or night, or you may feel ill all day. It is
uncomfortable to experience morning sickness, which can have a big impact on your daily
life. However, it normally goes away by weeks 16 to 20 of your pregnancy and does not
pose a greater risk to the health of your unborn child.

Hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness during pregnancy, is a

possibility. It's possible that you could become malnourished or experience dehydration as a
result of not getting enough fluids and nutrients from your diet. You might require
specialized care, sometimes in a hospital.

2. Breast Change - Normal breast tissue transforms into milk-producing tissue as a

res ult of your pregnancy hormones. This transformation occurs as early as the first
trimester (weeks 1 to 12). You may notice a feeling of tingling in the breast area early in the
pregnancy. Your breasts may be tender and painful. This is due to increased progesterone
levels. As your pregnancy progresses, the color of your nipples and areola (the area around
the nipples) may darken.

The blood vessels on your breasts' surface may become more visible. Stretch
marks on your breasts may also appear. Your breasts are ready to start producing milk
around 16 weeks. This is colostrum, also known as first milk. It has a yellow color and is
referred to as 'liquid gold'. The colostrum may leak from the breasts and you may be able to
release a small amount. However, there is no link between colostrum production during
pregnancy and milk supply after birth. Your nipples and breasts grow larger in the final
weeks of pregnancy.

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 3. Headache - Almost all women get headaches on occasion, but experiencing a
headache during pregnancy is unpleasant. Managing headaches is especially difficult during
the first trimester, when many medications should be avoided. There are numerous things
that you should know if you get a tension headache or a migraine.

Changing hormone levels and blood volume may play a role throughout the first
trimester. Stress, weariness, and eyestrain can all accompany a dull, general headache. Nasal
congestion and runny nose, which are normal in early pregnancy, may make sinus headaches
more likely. Hunger and low blood sugar levels can both cause migraines. Caffeine
withdrawal headaches may occur in women who abruptly stop drinking coffee and soda in
the morning. Those who have nausea and vomiting throughout their early pregnancy may
become dehydrated, This may also cause a headache.

Headaches due to migraine are a common type of pregnant headache. These

throbbing, excruciating headaches are usually felt on one side of the head and are caused by
an enlargement of blood vessels in the brain. The agony can be accompanied by nausea,
vomiting, and light sensitivity. A tiny minority of migraine sufferers also experience an
aura. They experience light flashes or tingling in their arms and legs.

4. Leg cramps- is (pain) affect up to three out of every ten pregnant women. They
are most common in the calf muscles, but they can also occur in the lower legs or feet. A
ache indicates that your muscles are contracting too tightly. This occurs as a result of acid
buildup in your muscles. Cramps are most common at night. They occur more frequently in
the second and third trimesters. Leg cramps differ from pelvic cramps. Many causes of
cramps while pregnant have been proposed, including changes in metabolism, a vitamin
deficiency, being too active or not active enough. Nobody knows why they happen during
the gestation period. You can relieve leg pain by stretching the muscle and pulling your toes
hard up towards the front of your ankle. firmly rubbing the muscle, walking around, and
using a heat pack.

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 5. Missed period- A missed period is the earliest and most reliable sign of
pregnancy if you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle. During the first few weeks of
pregnancy, you may experience a bleed similar to a light period, with some spotting or only
losing a small amount of blood. This is known as implantation bleeding. When you are able
to perform a pregnancy test. Most pregnancy tests can be performed as early as the first day
of a missed period. If you are unsure when your next period will be, take the test at least 21
days after your last sexual activity that was unprotected. Some pregnancy tests are so
sensitive that they can be used even before you miss a period.

6. Fatigue -Nothing seems more appealing or needed for most of the time than
falling into the pillows in your bed. If it does, you're probably not alone. It's common to feel
fatigued while pregnant. Having a baby tiredness can be especially severe in the very first
trimester as well as during the final stage of pregnancy.

Fatigue is formally defined as a persistent loss of energy. During pregnancy, you

may feel like you can't get out of bed in the mornings or can't wait to get into bed as soon as
you come home in the evenings. Or you may feel dragged and lethargic from the time you
wake up until you retire to bed. While fatigue usually gets better at the beginning of the
second trimester, it frequently repeats in the third trimester of pregnancy, nevertheless like
all symptoms it might change from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some women experience
postpartum fatigue beginning as soon as a week after fertilization.

Causes of fatigue during early pregnancy is building of the placenta, hormones ,

Increased blood supply and Other physical changes. Causes of fatigue in the third trimester
in a pregnant women is the growing baby bump, Pregnancy insomnia and other symptoms,
The stress of having a baby, and Multi-tasking

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 7. Food aversion- A food aversion is a strong dislike of a specific food that is
accompanied by unpleasant bodily sensations when that item is seen or smelled. Rather than
the food itself, these reactions are frequently caused by emotions linked with food. You may
also feel food cravings (a strong desire to eat a certain item). While these changes in appetite
are very common, they can make optimal eating during pregnant difficult. It is typical to
have either a loss of appetite or a change in dietary choices during pregnancy. This may
influence how much your weight changes throughout pregnancy. Food aversions are
widespread, and approximately Six in Ten pregnant women have a food aversion.

Food aversions can occur at any time of day as a result of generalized nausea (commonly
known as morning sickness'), with a peak between weeks 6 and 14 of pregnancy.

As a result, if you've abstained from specific foods that are essential to your diet,
you can try again later in your pregnancy to see if the aversion has subsided. If your nausea
prevents you from receiving enough nourishment, or if you are vomiting, unable to keep
food or drinks down, or losing weight, it is time to contact your doctor.

8. Backache- Back pain during the first trimester of pregnancy is one of the signs
that you are pregnant. Back pain is fairly frequent throughout pregnancy, especially in the
early stages of pregnancy.

The mother's ligaments naturally soften and stretch during pregnancy to get you
ready for labor. Back discomfort may result from this tension on the joints in your lower
back and pelvis. Most back pain will go away after a few days, but if it continues to occur
for more than a week, you should see a doctor. To determine the cause of your pain before it
becomes more severe, your doctor will do any examinations or tests necessary.

9. Itchy skin- Approximately twenty percent of pregnant women experience mild

itching during their pregnancy. There are a number of causes for itchy skin in pregnancy.
Your body is changing quickly at the beginning of pregnancy. Itching is one of the strange
symptoms that can result from this.

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 Usually, neither the mother nor the infant need to worry about this. Your midwife
or doctor should, however, conduct additional research on some types of itching.

Although itchy skin may indicate pregnancy, it's not a clue you should rely on.

Your skin may get itchy early on in pregnancy due to increased hormone levels.
Dehydration, another factor in itchy skin caused by pregnancy sickness and nausea, might
occur. Pregnancy may make skin diseases like eczema worse for some people while
psoriasis sufferers may actually experience a relief from their symptoms.

When should I consult a doctor regarding itching when pregnant?

If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or midwife: The itch is most
noticeable on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, A strong itch worsens at night,
disrupting sleep, Itching is accompanied with skin and eye yellowing, A strong itch disrupts
daily life, and lastly, if skin irritation results from severe itching and scratching.

10. Mood changes- If it happens that you notice yourself breaking down while
watching a sappy commercial one minute and enraged over an empty ice cream container
the following moment, you may be experiencing pregnancy-related mood swings — or you
may not. Rapidly shifting feelings can be an early sign of pregnancy. The hormones in your
body are raging, and your incapacity to control your emotions could catch you off guard. If
you suspect that you're pregnant, the nerves and anxiety may worsen your reaction. If your
feelings have mixed up and you suspect you might be pregnant, the best thing to do is get a
pregnancy test. Many women experience similar mood swings before their period is over, so
taking a test will give you a definitive answer one way or the other.

When a woman becomes pregnant, her reproductive system begins to prepare for
the protection and maintenance of the pregnancy. This raises the blood level of the
hormones estrogen and progesterone. Higher levels of progesterone and estrogen are
necessary for a healthy pregnancy, but they are frequently the source of some common
undesirable side effects. This is particularly true during the start of the first trimester.

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 Furthermore, from sickness and exhaustion, it is common to experience mood
swings, it can be weeping, or become easily irritated. The symptoms usually subside once
the body has adapted to the higher levels of these hormones. Some women, however, will
experience them throughout their pregnancy.

11. Abdominal pain- Pregnancy often results of stomach (abdominal) discomfort or

cramps. They're normally nothing to be concerned about, but they can occasionally be a sign
of anything more serious that needs to be checked out.

If the pain is minor and goes away when you change position, rest, defecate, or
pass wind, there's usually nothing to worry about. However, if you are experiencing stomach
aches and are concerned, contact your midwife or a maternity hospital.

Unharmful stomach cramps that can be dull or acute can be caused by: Ligament pain (also
known as "growing pains" since the ligaments strain to support your expanding bump) - this
can feel like a sharp cramp on one side of your lower abdomen. Constipation - which is
typical during pregnancy (find out how to avoid constipation) detained wind

If you have stomach pain, call your midwife right away and:

a. Spotting or bleeding

b. cramping or tightening on frequently,

c. atypical vaginal discharge

d. back discomfort in the lower back,

e. When you pee, you may feel pain or a burning sensation.

The discomfort is severe or does not subside after 30 to 60 minutes of rest

Any of these could be signs of a problem that requires immediate attention.

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B. Causes of early pregnancy

1. Lack of parental guidelines- Without parental guidelines and engagement,

self-esteem, self-discipline, ambition, and mental health are affected, influencing an
individual's decision-making ability and self-identity far beyond childhood. Parental control
is not only disirable, but also important and their absence has immediate adverse
consequences that might put a child in danger.

Additionally, if there are no guidelines there are no boundaries, and life without
boundaries creates discomfort. Parents are a child's primary source of security, and if their
behavior implies that they are not in charge, it can cause rebellion.

2. Lack of sex education- Lack of knowledge about sex can miss out the
adolescent on sexual health education, that they need to know and to have a knowledge to a
certain things about their health because being unaware of sex education can put them at an
increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, and you
can be abused because you don't know if you have been abused or not.

3. Unprotected sex- When the condom breaks, you neglect to wear one, or you
forget to take your pill, you have unprotected intercourse. These activities can lead to
unexpected pregnancy and other medical problems which can cause a slew of issues,
particularly for women. Furthermore, because they were unaware of the consequences.
Many teenage girls felt forced to engage in unprotected sexual acts by their older partner to
express their "love" for their partners.

4. Drugs and alcohol- Teenagers may frequently drink alcohol and use drugs at
parties and other social events during adolescence with their pals. Nevertheless, teens are
clueless of the effects of the drugs and alcohol have on their brains, particularly the

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consequences of excessive drinking, which is the act of ingesting enormous amounts of
alcohol in a single sitting.

Abuse of drugs and heavy drinking both increase the risk of unintended
pregnancy. These substances have a significant negative impact on a teen's capacity for
rational thought and general thought processes, which raises the possibility that they could
engage in unprotected and unsafe sexual activities. In addition, some people use narcotics to
take advantage on their victims and engage in sexual harassment.

When alcohol or drugs are used to undermine a person's capacity for sexual
consent, it is known as drug-facilitated sexual assault. Because they lessen inhibitions,
decrease a person's capacity for resistance, and/or may prevent them from recalling specifics
of the assault, these substances make it simpler for a perpetrator to commit sexual assault.
The legal phrase "diminished capacity," which varies in definition fromstate to state, can be
brought on by drugs and alcohol.

Alcohol is the most popular drug used to commit drug-facilitated sexual assault,
but other substances like "roofies" are also referred to as "date rape drugs" or "roofies."
Whether the attacker is an intimate partner, a stranger, or someone you've met, drug-
facilitated sexual assault can happen to anyone, by anyone. The use of drugs or alcohol by
the victim is either forced upon them with or without their knowledge, or the offender takes
advantage of the victim's voluntary usage of these substances.

5. Peer pressure/ Sexual abuse –Another cause of sexual abuse is peer pressure;
girls are frequently pressured or compelled to engage in sexual behavior by an older male
partner. Out of dread, many young ladies may feel pressured to engage in unsafe sex.

Peer pressure can also manifest itself in a different way when adolescents are
pressured by their partner to engage in risky and unprotected sex in order for them to show
their "love" and "true feelings" for their partner. The partner may influence the other to
engage in unprotected intercourse, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy.

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 A further cause why teens may become pregnant is because of sexual abuse.
Adolescent sexual abuse has been connected to teen pregnancy throughout subsequent life.
Unfortunately, young people have been sexually molested by predators or even family
members before reaching puberty. due to the fact that they are afraid of being harmed by
their predator, these young children often find themselves unable to tell a trusted adult about
the situation that they are experiencing, because some of them are afraid that they might not
be believed. These situations have a negative impact on the child when they enter adulthood
and raise the chance of teen pregnancy.

When an offender engages with a young person in this manner, they are committing
a crime that can have a lasting impact to the victim. Some forms of child sexual abuse
include exhibitionism , or exposing oneself to a minor ,Fondling Intercourse , Masturbation
in the presence of a minor or forcing the minor to masturbate, Obscene conversations, phone
calls, text messages, or digital interaction, Producing, owning, or sharing pornographic
images or movies of children, Sex of any kind with a minor, including vaginal, oral, or anal,
Sex trafficking ,and lastly, Any other contact of a sexual nature that involves a minor.

Every year, around 7,000,000 children in the Philippines are sexually molested.

More than 70% of sexually abused children are between the ages of 10 and 18.
20% of the victims are children under the age of six. After abandonment and neglect, child
sexual abuse is one of the most common concerns that the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) has to deal with. Despite the 1997 Anti-Rape Law, rape is still the
most common sort of sexual abuse, followed by incest and fondling. Women account for
98% of rape victims. Another troubling statistic is the 33% rate of incest.

The majority of youngsters who are sexually exploited for profit are victims of prostitution
or pornography.

6. Child prostitution- One of the intriguing issues in our country is child

prostitution. Children that involved in prostitution are called in the paper as “prostituted

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children”, “child prostitutes” and “child sex workers”. Child prostitution is considered as
one of the worst form of child labor due to low wages, long hours, against their rights,
deprivation of childhood development opportunities, lastly, lack of love and affection.

Many young people who experience being child sex workers suffer from traumatic
experiences-physically, developmentally, socially and psychologically. They also suffering
from discrimination because of their experience. Statistics on child prostitution is difficult to
obtain as prostitution is an issue that is unspoken of though it is becoming an accepted, if not
legal trade in our society.

The study observes that child prostitution continues because of poverty, sex
slavery/prostitution, weak family support, sex tourism, and socio-cultural values. The belief
that young people should be subservient in the family thus making them believe that
“making money” by selling body won’t matter.

7. Low socio-economic status- who become pregnant frequently come from families
with low incomes. Growing up, these young people often hail from impoverished homes
who lack the resources needed to raise their child. Because of their parents' lack of
commitment, these children grow up with poor educational. Poverty is also the reason why
many young people prefer to work at a young age rather than to study, so that they can
support their families, which is why many young people is lack of knowledge about things
like sexual activity as well as the right way and the right thing to do when they are having
intercourse. Furthermore, these young people are easily influenced by other people to do
such things as teaching them the unsafe sex.

These young children who have been exposed to a terrible environment have less
motivation to excel in school and begin making friends with other adolescents who are in
similar situations to them. These are the groups of teenagers who begin to experiment with
drugs, alcohol, intercourse and perform not well in school. This means that children and
teens growing up in these homes lack good role models and persons to look up and to learn
from.

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 Abuse is common in poor socioeconomic level families, predisposing adolescents
to dangerous and troublesome situations. Adolescents are being divided and disconnected
from their families, whether they are being abused or witnessing domestic abuse, which may
lead to poor decision making. This lack of family connectedness pushes adolescents away
from confiding in adults in their households and toward other disturbed youth experiencing
similar problems.

8. Early marriage- A child marriage is a union or partnership in which one or both

of the spouses is under the age of 18. Although this definition appears simple, the realities
of child marriage can be complex. The terms "child" and "marriage" are occasionally used
interchangeably.

It's difficult to understand why someone would choose to marry off their child.
However, for millions of people, child marriage may appear to be the best - or only - option.
Furthermore, child marriage was developed as a result of religious beliefs and unplanned
pregnancy.

Other females marry for personal reasons, while others are forced to marry due to
poverty. Parents bear less responsibility after their children marry. Some adolescents choose
to marry at a young age order to escape from abusive family members.

Furthermore some couples desire to have intercourse with their wife or husband
in order to show their affection to each other because they're both married, marriage at an
early age also results in unplanned pregnancy. Adolescent pregnancy is both the cause and
the result of child marriage. In many circumstances, child marriage is the cause of an
unwanted pregnancy; in others, particularly where sex outside of marriage is forbidden or
frowned upon, an unplanned pregnancy is the cause of child marriage.

9. Media influence- Teen pregnancy is heavily influenced by the media,

particularly series like "Teen Mom" and "16 & Pregnant." These shows repeatedly
glamorize pregnancy and cover up the real struggles of motherhood, which encourages these

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adolescents to become pregnant. Some adolescent females become pregnant in order to drop
out of high school or to persuade their partners into a more serious commitment. Another
reason why some teenagers fall pregnant is rebellion.

Some teen decided to have a child in order to prove their independence and to feel
more control of their lives. These shows on television promote the concept of having a kid
through encouraging a more adult lifestyle for these young people, with more responsibility
and decision-making capacity.

C. Effects of pregnancy

1. Anemic- You may develop anemia when pregnant. Anemia occurs when your
blood does not contain enough healthy red blood cells to provide oxygen to your tissues and
your baby. During pregnancy, your body generates extra blood to support your baby's
growth. If you don't get enough iron or certain other nutrients, your body may not be able to
manufacture enough red blood cells to make this extra blood.

It is typical to experience slight anemia while pregnant. However, you could

develop more severe anemia due to insufficient iron or vitamin levels, or for other causes.

Anemia can cause fatigue and weakness. If it is severe but untreated, it can raise your
chance of significant complications such as premature birth.

Here are the types of anemia during pregnancy I also have various forms of anemia that can
occur during pregnancy. These are some examples:

a. Anemia caused by a lack of iron

b. Anemia caused by a lack of folate

c. Deficiency of vitamin B12

Here's why certain types of anemia can occur.:

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First of all is anemia caused by a lack of iron, anemia of this sort arises when the body does
not have enough iron to make enough hemoglobin, this is a protein found in red blood cells,
and it is responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The
blood cannot carry enough oxygen to tissues throughout the body in iron-deficiency anemia.
The most prevalent cause of anemia during pregnancy is iron deficiency.

The following are the most typical symptoms of anemia during pregnancy: Skin, lips, and
nails that are pale, Tiredness or weakness, Dizziness, Breathing difficulty, A fastheartbeat

Concentration issues. You may not notice any symptoms of anemia in the early stages.
Many of the symptoms are ones you could experience when pregnant even if you are not
anemic. So, at your prenatal appointments, make sure to have routine blood testing to screen
for anemia.

2. High blood- During pregnancy, some women experience elevated blood pressure.
This can put both the mother and her baby at risk during the pregnancy. High blood
pressure can also cause complications before and after childbirth.1,2 The good news is that
it is preventable and curable. High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, is quite
common. High blood pressure occurs in 1 in every 12 to 17 pregnancies in the United States
among women aged 20 to 44. Pregnancy hypertension has become more common. You and
your kid, on the other hand, are more likely to stay healthy if you keep your blood pressure
under control. The most essential thing to do is to discuss any blood pressure issues with
your health care team so that you can obtain the correct therapy and control your blood
pressure before becoming pregnant. It is critical to get therapy for high blood pressure
before, during, and after pregnancy.

The various types of high blood pressure disorders that can occur before, during, and after
pregnancy

Hypertension that is chronic

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 Chronic hypertension is defined as having high blood pressure* before becoming
pregnant or before reaching 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia can occur in women with
persistent hypertension during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Hypertension When you simply have high blood pressure* during
pregnancy and no protein in your urine or other cardiac or renal concerns, you have this
syndrome. It is often identified after 20 weeks of pregnancy or near the end of labor.
Gestational hypertension normally subsides after giving birth. However, certain women with
gestational hypertension are more likely to develop persistent hypertension later in life.

Preeclampsia/Eclampsia occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy when a woman with

previously normal blood pressure suddenly gets high blood pressure*, protein in her urine,
or other complications. Preeclampsia can occur in women who have chronic hypertension.

Preeclampsia affects around 1 in every 25 pregnancies in the United States. Seizures

can occur in some preeclamptic women. This is known as eclampsia, and it is a medical
emergency. Symptoms of preeclampsia include: A headache that will not go away, Changes
in vision, including blurry vision, seeing spots, or having changes in eyesight, Pain in the
upper stomach area, Nausea or vomiting, Swelling of the face or hands

Sudden weight gain, Trouble breathing.

3. Premature birth- A preterm birth occurs when a baby is born too soon. The
birth occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. A typical pregnancy lasts roughly 40 weeks.
Premature newborns frequently have major health issues, especially when they are born
extremely early. These issues frequently differ. However, the earlier a kid is born, the
greater the danger of health issues.

A infant might be late preterm, born between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, or moderately
preterm, born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, Born between 28 and 32 weeks of
pregnancy, Extremely premature birth, occurring before the 28th week of pregnancy.

Not all premature babies have health problems. However, premature birth can
result in both short-term and long-term medical issues. In general, the earlier a baby is born,

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the greater the danger of difficulties. Birth weight also has an important effect. Some issues
may be obvious at birth. Others may not appear till later. Staying in bed does not help avoid
preterm birth. Bed rest can increase the risk of blood clots, weakened bones, and decreased
muscle strength. It may potentially increase the likelihood of premature birth.

4. Postpartum depression- Several strong emotions, ranging from delight and

excitement to dread and anxiety, can be sparked by the birth of a baby. But it can also lead
to something unexpected: depression. After giving birth, the majority of new mothers have
postpartum "baby blues," which frequently include worry, mood fluctuations, sobbing
episodes, and difficulties falling asleep. The baby blues often start two to three days after
delivery and can linger for up to two weeks.

Postpartum depression, on the other hand, affects certain new mothers more
severely and persistently. Due to the fact that it can develop during pregnancy and persist
after giving birth, it is sometimes referred to as peripartum depression. Rarely, a severe
mood illness known as postpartum psychosis might appear after giving birth.

Postpartum depression is neither a weakness or a deficiency in a person's character.

Sometimes it's just a side effect of childbirth. Treatment for postpartum depression as soon
as possible will help you control your symptoms and strengthen your relationship with your
newborn. At first, postpartum depression may be confused as the baby blues, but the signs
and symptoms are more severe and persistent. These could eventually make it difficult for
you to take care of your child and do other everyday tasks. After giving birth, symptoms
typically start to appear within the first few weeks. However, they might start sooner—
during pregnancy—or later—up to a year after delivery.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can include: strong mood swings or a depressed

mood, crying excessively, Bonding with your newborn is difficult, withdrawing from friends and
relatives, Loss of appetite or eating excessive amounts of food, Reduced ability to think clearly,
concentrate, or make decisions, Restlessness, Severe anxiety and panic attacks, Thoughts of
harming yourself or your baby, Recurring thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, Overwhelming

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tiredness or loss of energy, Fear that you're not a good mother, Intense irritability and anger,
Hopelessness, Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy,

Postpartum depression may persist for many months or longer if left untreated.

5. Infant mortality- The term "infant mortality" refers to the death of a baby
between the ages of one and one year. If a baby dies before the age of 28 days, the death is
described as neonatal mortality. Some children die as a result of the mother's lack of
expertise or their body's inability to give birth while they're young adolescents.

The infant mortality rate—the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births—is an
important factor in understanding a population's overall health because many factors that
contribute to infant deaths also affect the health of everyone in a population. For example,
access to medicine, trained healthcare providers, clean water, and food affect everyone's
health, but can also have a dramatic effect on infant mortality rates.

The meaning of "infant mortality" only refers to deaths that occur after birth.
Prenatal deaths are usually categorized as either stillbirth or pregnancy loss. Stillbirth is the
death of a fetus at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy loss, often known as
miscarriage, is a fetal loss that occurs early in pregnancy.

The Philippines' current infant mortality rate in 2023 is 17.544 deaths per 1000 live
births, a 2.36% decrease from 2022. The Philippines' infant mortality rate in 2022 was
17.968 deaths per 1000 live births, a 2.31% decrease from 2021.

6. Trauma- Trauma might increase the probability of developing of mental

health issues. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also be directly triggered by it.
Some people abuse substances like alcohol, drugs, or commit suicide to deal with upsetting
experiences and feelings.

Depending on how it affects you, trauma may make it difficult for you to go
about your regular life. For instance, it might be more difficult to trust people, which could
make maintaining connections and partnerships more difficult. You can find it difficult to

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take care of yourself, keep a career, or enjoy the activities you used to. Because your mind is
reacting to the recollection of what happened to you rather than your current situation, you
might struggle to control your emotions and react in ways that appear illogical or excessive.

Many teenagers who fall victim of peer pressure or SA are suffering from their
traumas. They will develop while carrying the awful experience throughout their lives
forever. Sexual violence elicits a variety of typical reactions. Not every victim of sexual
assault is the same, and no two victims of sexual assault will ever experience the same
effects. There is no right or wrong way to think, feel, or act. Many various feelings,
behaviors, and bodily reactions manifest, vanish, and then may reemerge as the body and
mind digest the destruction of sexual abuse. carrying the awful experience throughout their
lives forever. Sexual violence elicits a variety of typical reactions. Not every victim of
sexual assault is the same, and no two victims of sexual assault will ever experience the
same effects. There is no right or wrong way to think, feel, or act. Many various feelings,
behaviors, and bodily reactions manifest, vanish, and then may reemerge as the body and
mind digest the destruction of sexual abuse. The effects of SA include amnesia, bad health,
guilt, trust issues, and long-term reactions, as well as feelings of shame for oneself.

D. Options of teenagers who are pregnant

1. Abortion- The term "abortion" refers to the removal or expulsion of an embryo

or fetus in order to end a pregnancy. Miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion" refers to an
abortion that takes place without medical intervention..

Despite improvements in reproductive health law, many Filipino women continue to

endure unwanted pregnancies, and many of those who choose to seek abortions subject
themselves to risky procedures because abortion remains highly stigmatized in the nation.
The indicators of reproductive health in the Philippines are tackled, including rates of
contraceptive use, unintended pregnancies, and unsafe abortions. The sociopolitical setting
in which services are provided is also discussed, as are the effects of unintended pregnancies

23
and unsafe abortions, as well as suggestions for enhancing access to reproductive health
services.

2. Adoption - Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of

another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal
adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the
biological parents to the adoptive parents.

3. Raise the child- A person who raises child by feeding them and providing a better
shelter for them as they grow up. You can raise a child:

a. adopt a child

b. adult child

c. bright child

d. disabled child

e. disadvantaged child

f. eldest child

and many more.

E. Prevention

1. Parental Guidelines- Discuss sex and love with your children at an early age. Be
specific. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is say the first few words. Be truthful
and forthright. Listen closely to find out what your child already knows. Make your
conversations two-way. Talking about sex with your children will not encourage them to be

24
sexually active. Kids really need just as much guidance in knowing how relationships
function and the significance of sex as they do in understanding how all of the body parts
work. What's the distinction between love and sex? Let your children know what you value
and believe, and then be a positive role model. and "walk the walk" It's needed that your
child feels safe asking you questions about everything, not just sex. Make an effort to be a
"askable" parent. Make it clear to your children that they can talk to you about whatever
they are thinking or worried about.

2. Sex education programs - Young people must make important decisions about
relationships, sexuality, and sexual behavior as they grow up. Their choices can have long-
term consequences for their health and well-being. Young people have the right to live
healthy lives, and it is society's responsibility to prepare them by providing comprehensive
sexual health education that equips them with the tools they need to make healthy decisions.
However, discussing contraception and abstinence in programs is insufficient to help young
people avoid unintended pregnancy or disease. More must be done to
promote. .comprehensive sexual health education. It must provide honest, age-appropriate
information and skills to assist young people in taking personal responsibility for their health
and overall well-being.

3. Spread awareness- Using internet platforms such as Facebook, Twitter,

Instagram, Tiktok, and others can be a great way to share your knowledge about preventing
early and unexpected pregnancy. Many young people should be informed the value of their
health and how to care for it. Spreading awareness on online platforms and communicating
its significance to the youth has the potential to minimize the country's increasing rate of
early pregnancy. It can also help them to have a brighter future and learn about the
importance of their own health.

4. Use protection- Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the only sure way to avoid
unplanned pregnancies. Adolescents who are sexually active should use effective

25
contraceptives (such as condoms, birth control tablets, the patch, the vaginal ring, the
intrauterine device or IUD, and/or injectable birth control techniques) every time they have
sexual intercourse. In addition to adopting a contraceptive method that prevents conception,
using condoms appropriately reduces everyone's risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted
diseases (STIs). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also known as sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs).

5. Seek help- You became a victim of sexual abuse if someone used coercion, power,
or force to force you to engage in unwanted sexual behavior. Sexual abuse is a type of
sexual assault, which is defined as any sexual activity performed without consent. Other
types of sexual violence include rape and unwanted touching, as well as sexual harassment,
which is unwanted sexual activity. When you are subjected to sexual abuse, you should
immediately report it to the authorities, and you should not be afraid to fight for your rights.
It will not only benefit you, but it will also benefit others by saving them from suffering it
and preventing it from happening again.

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III. CONCLUSION

While adolescent pregnancy is a problem in many nations, the Philippines, like

many others, fails to address the issue with the urgency it deserves. The research is clear:
Sex education is extremely important for many adolescents because it can help them learn
more about their own health and how to care for it. In addition to teaching your child or
raising awareness, health care initiatives can help prevent adolescent pregnancy before they
reach the age of 18. It serves as an important opportunity for them in pursuing a better future
and avoid damaging their life because of their parents' lack of good guidance and
understanding about how essential their health is. It would represent a significant step
forward for the Philippines in minimizing the rate of adolescent pregnancy before reaching
the legal age. Sexuality education has a positive impact, such as boosting young people's
knowledge and attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health and behaviors. This will also
help in reducing the number of young people who become pregnant at a young age and
ensure that every young person in the country has a bright future because young people are
our country's future. Countries with long-standing sexuality education programs in schools,
such as Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands, have significantly lower adolescent birth
rates than countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where open discussion of sexuality
and sexual and reproductive health and rights is prohibited. Pregnancy among adolescents in
the Philippines is numerous causes, and these various reasons must be studied. Furthermore,
there is an immediate need to conduct an epidemiological investigation to determine the
extent of early pregnancy, resulting in could significantly assist in regulations medication,
and protection.

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Uscher, J. (2012, January 8). Anemia in Pregnancy. WebMD.

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