Unintended Pregnancy

An unintended pregnancy is all too often devastating news for a woman. When planning for children many women hope to be in a stable loving relationship, have their education completed, have stable employment and are ready to take on the responsibility of the joy of raising children. Unintended pregnancies usually don’t happen like this. Unintended pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of morbidity for women, and with health behaviors during pregnancy that are associated with adverse effects. For example, women with an unintended pregnancy may delay prenatal care, which may affect the health of the infant.

An Institute of Medicine Committee on Unintended Pregnancy in 1995 concluded that one of the reasons for the high rates of unintended pregnancy in the U.S. was the failure of private health insurance to cover contraceptives. According to an article written by Planned Parenthood, in the U.S., approximately 50% of all pregnancies are unintended (that is the pregnancy is either unwanted or badly mis-timed). This is the highest rate of all industrialized nations. When women carry unintended pregnancies to term:
 

	Women are more likely to postpone or not obtain prenatal care and to continue to use substances such as tobacco and alcohol.
	Their babies are at greater risk of being low birth-weight (weighing less than five pounds at birth, or dying in their first year of life and of being abused.
	Domestic violence is three times more likely.
	Divorce is three times more likely.
	The father is more likely to be absent.
	Women are less likely to seek care for specific diseases and conditions that have serious consequences for pregnancy, such as diabetes. These are best managed when care begins before conception.
	Unwanted children are far more likely to have encounters with the criminal justice system as they grow up.

For more information or to enroll in DHD4’s  Family Planning/Plan First Program, women can simply call their local health department office or 1-800-221-0294 to get information or make an appointment.