Pregnancy in adolescent girls
Why pregnancy carries extra risks for girls under 20, and why care matters.
✓ Clinically reviewed · Catherine, RN & Juah, RN
When should I get help?
- Start antenatal check-ups as early as possible.
- If someone is forcing you into sex or marriage, you can ask a trusted adult or a support service for help.
Key things to remember
- Pregnancy is riskier for girls under 20.
- Early antenatal care helps protect mother and baby.
- No girl should be forced into marriage or sex.
📖 Read the full lesson
Pregnancy carries higher risks for adolescent girls (aged 10 to 19) than for women in their early twenties. Girls have a higher risk of eclampsia (fits linked to high blood pressure) and serious infections, and their babies are more likely to be born small or too early.
Child marriage, sexual abuse, and difficulty getting contraception all increase the chance that a girl becomes pregnant. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of births to adolescent girls in the world.
A pregnant girl deserves respectful care. Going to antenatal check-ups early helps protect her and her baby.
📚 Sources
- World Health Organization — Adolescent pregnancy (fact sheet) 10 Apr 2024 · accessed 31 Oct 2026
Written in plain language from these sources. It does not imply endorsement by these organizations.
HH-ART-006 · Version 1.0 · Last updated 4 Nov 2026
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