PSY FPX 6010 Assessment 3

Teen Pregnancy Postnatal

In 2015, over 229,000 babies were delivered by teen mothers (Centers for Disease Control, 2005). Out of the twenty Independent School Districts (ISDs) in Tarrant County, just one currently provides prenatal and postnatal care support to students and infants. Home caregivers’ support deprivation can have an impact on prenatal care experienced by such students and subsequently the subsequent health of their infants. In addition, deprivation of parenting classes does not provide teen parents with knowledge on how to manage the challenges of caring for an infant. Without knowledge of available community resources, teen parents are likely to struggle throughout pregnancy and the early stages of their infant’s life.

Teenage mothers typically have the issue of dropping out of school to take care of their child or getting a job to sustain their families. This aggravates the poverty situation in their neighborhoods and results in a lower high school graduation rate. Teenagers, particularly those aged under 18 and female, are also disproportionately affected by inadequate prenatal care, with approximately 65% of them not having first-trimester care (Centers for Disease Control, 2005). Some of these include such elements as limited resources, financial limitations, lack of insurance, and access barriers (Tilghman & Lovette, 2008).

Prenatal care plays a critical role in diagnosing and managing maternal and fetal health issues. It can eliminate the risk of preterm birth, reduce the risk of low birth weight, and educate mothers on healthy practices during pregnancy (Gennaro et al., 2016). Teenage parenthood, however, remains a significant danger to the well-being of children, including being hindered in learning cognitive and language abilities, managing emotions, socialization, and self-regulation (Urban Child, 2019).

The PSY FPX 6010 Assessment 3 Topical Expert Presentation focuses on Teen Pregnancy and Postnatal Parenting. 

Parenting classes are essential in equipping teen parents with the necessary skills to care for their babies and monitor their development. The classes cover topics such as prenatal nutrition, infant care routines, safety measures, and early childhood milestones (Urban Child, 2019). Studies have demonstrated that parent education programs enhance family stability and lower the likelihood of child abuse and neglect (Parent Education, 2013).

The attainment of a high school diploma or some further education is critical to the improvement of long-term economic security for teen parents and the status of poverty in their lives. Additional education is associated with increased earnings and reduced involvement in public entitlement programs (Cherry et al., 2015). The lack of support, however, may cause many teen parents to consider completing their educational careers impossible.

Reduction of repeat teen pregnancies requires multi-dimensional intervention encompassing comprehensive sex education, counseling services, and support groups. While providing assistance to teenage parents may indirectly lead to additional births, prevention measures can help prevent repeat pregnancies and enable young parents to make informed decisions about their reproductive health (Preventing Repeat Teen Births, n.d.).

The PSY FPX 6010 Assessment 3 focuses on a Topical Expert Presentation regarding Teen Pregnancy and Postnatal care. 

Providing prenatal and postnatal services in school districts can greatly advantage teen parents and their babies. Through the provision of onsite support staff and basic services, schools can promote teen parents receiving the assistance and support necessary for them to have a healthy pregnancy and successfully care for their baby. Such services as prenatal tests, parenting education, childcare centers, and academic counseling can help allow teen parents to complete high school.

Even though the initial expenses of establishing these programs will be high, the long-term benefits greatly exceed the costs. By preventing unwanted pregnancies, stopping public dependency, and promoting continued education, the programs benefit teen parents, their children, and society as a whole.

PSY FPX 6010 Assessment 3 Topical Expert Presentation / Teen Pregnancy Postnatal 

Parent Education to Strengthen Families and Reduce the Risk of Maltreatment. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.childwelfare.gov/

Preventing Repeat Teen Births | VitalSigns | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from fromhttps://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015571638

Urban Child Institute. (2019). How Adolescent Parenting Affects Children, Families, and Communities. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015571638