Dr. Amy Gordon Bono speaks at the “Healthcare in Handcuffs” event in Nashville in June 2023 to mark the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. (Photo: John Partipilo)
No matter where we live or who we vote for, I think we can all agree that children having children doesn’t lead to the best outcomes. Medical evidence suggests that children who become pregnant are at higher risk of pregnancy complications as the physical strain of pregnancy takes a significant toll on a young body. Young mothers experience a higher rate of c-section births, preeclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant death, just to name a few of the medical complications that these pregnant patients experience.
The social consequences of teen pregnancy are also significant. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist states , “T he value of preventing pregnancies among teens is clear: it means that more women will have the opportunity to complete school, perhaps pursue careers, and wait until they are ready to begin families.”