Teenage Pregnancy - Literature review Example

It will also cover the factors that cause and how it can be prevented. Cherry, A et al, (2001), Teenage Pregnancy: A Global View, Greenwood Publishing Group, New York. According to Cherry and others, teenage pregnancy is the pregnancy that afflicts persons under 20 years especially when the pregnancy terminates. This predicament is always brought by various individual and societal factors that is always manifested in most communities. For example, poverty, parental neglect, lack of education and unemployment have been cited as most reasons why teenagers fall pregnant early (Cherry et al, 2001, p.120). In addition, the authors explain that the pregnancy can occur at various periods in the life stage of the girl child.

This is either before or after puberty. On that note, it also happens with menarche, which is the first menstrual period that happens between the ages of 12 and 13. According to the writers, this is the stage of fertility among females and they are prone to getting pregnant. However, these authors concur that teenage pregnancies differ from nation to nation depending on the economic prospects, development and cultural factors among others (Cherry et al, 2001, p.126). Similarly, there is the use of condoms and contraceptives that are varying from country to country.

While other nations allow the use of contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy among teenagers, other countries bar them the grounds of religion and culture. Aria, L, (2009), Teenage Pregnancy: The Making and Unmaking of a Problem, The Policy Press, New Jersey. According to Aria in her book, there are different signs and symptoms of noting when a teenager is pregnant. However, before she tackles that, she narrates the risk factors that teenagers/adolescents have to contend with in the community.

For example, economic disadvantage especially in developing nations that survive on less than a dollar a day and older male partner. Additionally, poor school performance, young age and single or teen parenthood are other serious factors predisposing teenagers to early pregnancy (Aria 2009, p.89). Therefore, the symptoms of pregnancy among teenagers include abdominal distention, fatigue, missed period and breast enlargement or breast tenderness. Others include nausea/vomiting, frequent urination and light-headedness or actual fainting.

On that note, Aria suggests various signs and tests that are fundamental to identify early to help a pregnant teenager. For example, she observes issues such as gaining of weight and medical examination may indicate increased abdominal girth. Alternatively, healthcare provider may also examine the top of the enlarged uterus called the fundus to establish a better way to help the teenager. These examinations may entail that involving the pelvic to show purple or bluish coloration of the vaginal walls (Aria 2009, p.142). Furthermore, urine and/or serum when passed through a pregnancy test usually turn out as positive.

Another key test involves the dates of the pregnancy that confirmed or checked using a pregnancy ultrasound. Farber, N, (2009), Adolescent Pregnancy: Policy and Prevention Services, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Farber her in book explains the practical policies that if implemented have a chance of reducing teenage pregnancy. Similarly, she has tested treatments that pregnant teenagers should undergo in order to safeguard the welfare of the unborn baby.