Unintended pregnancy

Unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that was accidental or unplanned. The timing of the pregnancy may be inopportune, or the pregnancy may be entirely unwanted. These types of pregnancies can be problematic. The mother or couple, depending upon the circumstances, may not be financially prepared to take on the cost of a pregnancy and raising a child. The mother or couple could be still in school, and may not be emotionally ready to parent. In still other circumstances, a pregnancy could be medically dangerous to the mother—in some cases women have had to decide whether to seek medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, despite the risks to the fetus. Some individuals, in particular those with hereditary genetic diseases, may wish to avoid pregnancy as well.

Background

Close to one half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. The women most likely to have unintended pregnancies are unmarried, African American, have little education and low finances, and commonly live with their significant other. Unintended pregnancies commonly occur in young women. Four out of five pregnancies in women eighteen years of age and younger are accidental.

Conversely, unintended pregnancy rates are lowest among White women who have been educated beyond high school. Women with only a high-school diploma have the highest rate of accidental pregnancy. As women age, the rate of unintended pregnancy decreases.

Forms of birth control help decrease unwanted pregnancies. The rates of failure in birth control can be measured when they are perfectly used, meaning they are used consistently and correctly.

An intrauterine device, called an IUD, can decrease the risk of pregnancy to 1 percent. These devices are inserted into the uterus and remain there for an extended period of time. They prevent sperm from fertilizing eggs. The copper T variety can last up to ten years. The levonorgestrel variety, sometimes called an LNG IUD, only lasts up to five years. The device emits progestin to prevent the user from conceiving.

Oral contraceptives, also called birth control pills, have a 7 percent failure rate. These pills must be taken daily, so any failure to take them consistently can increase the failure rate. The pills release progestin and estrogen to prevent conception.

The failure rate of condoms is 13 percent. These latex sleeves are slipped over a man's penis before intercourse to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Condoms may break during use, or may be used incorrectly. They are often stored improperly, which may cause them to degrade.

Emergency contraception is sometimes used if a condom breaks or another form of birth control was not used during intercourse. A copper IUD can be an effective form of emergency contraception if it is inserted within five days of intercourse. The most popular method is sometimes called Plan B, or the morning-after pill. This type of contraception should be taken as soon as possible. Many women can get this medication at pharmacies without a prescription, and health care providers often recommend keeping a dose on hand in case of emergency such as condom breakage.

A study conducted by the World Health Organization found that a lack of effective and accesible family planning counselling contributes to higher rates of unintended pregancy. Experts say abstinence-only education is also a factor. Abstinence-only educators focus solely on abstinence as a pregnancy preventive, and do not discuss availability or effectiveness of birth control methods such as the pill or condoms. In the US, researchers found that the states with the highest teen pregnancy rates did not require sex education to be taught in schools or emphasized abstinence-only education.

Women who have higher income are more likely to use birth control methods. These women are also more likely than their lower-earning counterparts to engage in sex. It is theorized that these high-earning women are more conscientious about preventing pregnancy because they have much to lose.

It is also easier for affluent women to obtain abortion services. Abortions are not included in health care plans that receive federal monies. A woman's location may make abortion a difficult option, however, because many states have enacted laws that make it hard to access abortion services or have reduced the number of facilities that perform abortions.

Overview

Unintended pregnancy comes at a cost for the resulting children. Children who are the result of these types of births often lack prenatal care, are underweight at birth, and are unlikely to be breastfed. They sometimes develop cognitive abilities at a slower pace than their planned counterparts. When these children grow older, they are more likely to have mental illness than children who were planned. They may struggle in school and even experience legal troubles. The unintended offspring of high school students are more likely to be imprisoned. Female children born to high school age mothers are more apt to have unplanned children in their teenage years.

If the mother is still in high school at the time of conception and birth, she is less likely to complete her schooling. Teenage parents will probably have to alter their future plans, including higher education and pursuit of a career in a specialized field. They are often forced to work many hours immediately, wherever they can get hired, just to support themselves and their soon-to-arrive offspring. This can contribute to future financial hardships. People who have not finished high school have fewer job prospects than those who have their diplomas. In addition, those who do not complete high school on average have lower-paying jobs than graduates. These mothers begin their adult lives with an economic disadvantage. They often do not have the education or the funding to raise a child and care for their own health.

Cost is severe for women who have children as a result of mistimed or unwanted pregnancies. Mothers may have difficulty supporting the children financially. This is doubly difficult if the father of the child is not contributing to care. An expectant or new mother may need time off from her job for doctor's appointments and time to care for the infant and herself. Mothers of unexpected children are more likely to need public assistance to support their children. Public insurance programs paid for 68 percent of unintended births in 2010, while 38 percent of planned births were paid for with taxpayer dollars.

Women who have unplanned pregnancies have difficulty maintaining long-term, healthy romantic relationships and are also more likely to experience mental health problems. High school-age mothers are less likely to marry the fathers of their children. Parents who wish to pursue their careers may find their goals sidelined by an unintended pregnancy as they struggle to raise a child and seek professional advancement.

Bibliography

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Storrs, Carina. "Unintended Pregnancy Rate in U.S. is High, but Falling." CNN, 2 Mar. 2016, www.cnn.com/2016/03/02/health/unintended-pregnancy-rate/. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

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