Consequences for Adolescents When They Become Pregnant, and Become Mothers

When an adolescent becomes pregnant, her life can change radically – especially if the pregnancy is unplanned. This rapid review presents information on consequences of adolescent pregnancy and adolescent motherhood in low-income countries, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and middle-income countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Treatment and effects on the adolescent in terms of health, education, employment opportunities, as well as after-effects on their family members are noted.

This review finds that evidence on the consequences of girls returning to school after they become pregnant is limited. Available information focuses more on whether pregnant girls go back to school after giving birth, but not so much on whether the conditions are favourable for adolescent mothers to re-enter school and concentrate on their studies.