Could having a baby at a very young age affect the baby's health?

Question

At 14 years old, what health issues might the baby have when it's born?

Answer 1

Not so much for the baby as for yourself. Your body is not fully developed and grown yet and it is said it can leave physical damage.

Answer 2

to start off don't let anyone scare you when they say death at child birth that's the last thing you want to hear, 14 is a bit young to start having children though, but who are we to judge, i suppose because you are young and maybe not as mature as you should be for these things there may be some complications but I'm not really sure whether the baby would have health issues although if you look at it this way because your still a baby in some ways the baby may not grow to full size there is more of a chance of the baby being premature, also there is a chance of the baby having speech difficulties and some other problems, just be careful how you go about things parenting is not easy and its a full time job, you cant quit you cant give him/her back they are yours for life and their problems become yours are you pregnant now? or just thinking about it, if you thinking about it, think very hard because if you go for it your going to need all the luck you can get, so good luck and i hope everything goes well for you xx

Answer 3

Most of the time when a young girl [such as 14] as you say, has a child there are many complications the baby can have. Because you havent developed yet as an adult the child wil not develop as well as it would if the mother was much older. In teenagers under 15 years of age, these complications can be caused by biological immaturity. Some abnormalities can develop such as limbs not being fully developed, or not being developed at all. In some cases the child is very small and would need to be put on life support for the first few months but dont worry this happens very rarely. Documents prove that if you eat right during the pregnancy andget all the nutrition you and the baby needs there are possibilities that the child will turn out fine..

Answer 4

No health issues regarding the baby as long as you eat properly, don't take drugs or smoke.  Why would you want a baby at 14?  Irresponsible if you ask me.

Answer 5

I don't know about age as a whole but i do know that I'm pregnant and my baby has been diagnosed with gastroschisis.This is an abdominal wall defect, his small intestine is poking through his stomach next to his umbilical cord so he has to go for an operation when he's born. From experiencing this myself they made me aware that it only happens in young white girls up to about 21, I'm 18 and will be 19 at birth. Having said this i wouldn't say that because you are young you are likely to have a child with a birth defect as women of all ages have children that are born with illness or deformities, although I wouldn't say its due to age i also wouldn't encourage a young girl to get pregnant. All in all i guess what I'm trying to say is that a child's health can be effected regardless of age, but i think the normal child baring age, the stage with less known complications would be mid 20's.

Answer 6

I wouldnt listen to these negative comments that people are leaving you! a baby can have problems no matter what age the mother is and actually the only reason babies to young moms may have shown to have more problems is because yhoung mothers tend to not get as much prenatal care early on either b/c they dont realize the are preg or they are too scared to tell parents/doc etc. as long as you have prenatal care you have ust as much chance as having a healthy baby as a 20 yr old would. It has mothing to do with hips or being not fully developed your baby should be fine if you take care of yourself....so i dont know where everyone else is getting there info! good luck hun if you are preggo :)

Answer 7

The baby will not have any health issues.  You are meant to start having babies at an early age.  (Atleast back in the old days.)  I admit.  That probably wasn't the smartest having a child at 14 though.

Good luck!

Answer 8

A girl can become pregnant even before she begins menstruation. For most girls, a regular menstrual cycle will begin between the ages of 11 and 16. During these formative years, bones are not mature, and over all growth is not yet finished. Becoming pregnant as during the teen years pose some serious health risks, not only to themselves, but to the unborn child.

First and formost, getting the professional health care needed during the early months greatly reduces complications. Many soon to be teen moms neglect to seek care during the first 4 months of the pregnancy because they are either scared or in denial. Not seeking care puts not only the teen mom in danger, but the unborn child as well. It is important for a pregnant teen to be especially vigilent about nutrition, excersise, proper health care, and rest, because her body is still growing.



Teen moms are more likely to have a baby that is premature and low birth weight. A premature baby is one that is born too early. Some of these babies do die. The ones that make it tend to have problems later in life, mental and physical problems are included. A low birth weight baby is one that is born with a weight of less than 5 1/2 pounds. These babies have a greater risk of being born with major birth defects.

Answer 9

Yes it can effect the baby. Your body is not mature enough yet and is still developing itself. Having a child young is almost the same as having an child at an advanced age. You run a very high risk of premature labor because your body is not big enough to accomodate the baby, you also have higher chances of a baby born with downs syndrom and other chromosonal defects.  

Answer 10

well, the baby needs support, im a young mum, but i am married and and have a job, so does my husband, we have our own house, we are not rich, we have worked for everything, where a 14 year old is not going to be able to get a job, is very unlikely to be with the dad, as especially boys at that age are imature, and most young girls only have babies at that kind of age, because they feel they have not been loved properly and have a lot of love to give, but reall it is a very selfish thing to do, you wont be able to do the things a normal teenageer does, without dumping your kid on someone, which will affect the baby, and as the baby grows up, she/he is most likely to dislike you for it-is that what you want? 14 is to young, you should be out playing, not thinking about make up, s*x, and having babies, when you are still one yourself. Yes I am young, but I had my fun as a child, like clubbing, drinking, smoking (all kids do it!!!!!!) dancing etc etc and we BOTH felt ready to have children, and 4 years later, we are still happy, and have no regrets, but you are 14. come on.

Answer 11

As the mother's hips probably haven't widened yet, the labour will be a lot more difficult and painful and therefore death during childbirth will be a lot more likely. If the mother dies then the child will no doubt have a very different lifestyle and if the baby dies.... nuff said