1 In 6 Pregnant Women In West Bengal Are Teenagers: Government Survey

According to data collected by West Bengal’s MatriMa programme, around 17 percent of pregnant women in the state are teenagers, out of which 4 percent are married women.

While it is legal for a woman over the age of 18 to get married, the health department is keen on pushing pregnancy back to at least 21 years to reduce health risks to both mother and child. Experts say that teenage mothers face higher health risks during pregnancy and higher life risks during labour, while babies born to teen mothers face risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and other neonatal complications.

Teenage Pregnancy In West Bengal

The data published by MatriMa also reveals the presence of 4 lakh teenage couples in Bengal in September 2022. In a meeting last week, health officials were asked to counsel this section and persuade them to use contraception.

On the plus side, according to government data, contraceptive use has increased by 5 percent in the last year. While only 50 percent of teenage couples used contraceptives in January 2022, the number increased to 55 percent in January 2023. Swasthya Bhavan aims to provide the initiative and thrust through counselling to reduce teenage pregnancy.

"Teenage pregnancies cause a lot of complications, including high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and pre-term birth. It can also cause intrauterine growth retardation. The newborn might have low birth weight, experience difficulty breathing, and have jaundice. Post-partum depression is also not uncommon in new mothers. So, it is critical that statewide awareness be raised about the issues associated with teen pregnancy," said gynaecologist Indranil Saha.

According to the data published in the Health Department’s portal for mother and child care, one in six pregnant women in the state is in her teens, which causes a lot of concern among health experts as teen pregnancy is risky for both the mother and the child.

A senior health official said, "Teenage pregnancy, apart from causing preterm delivery and associated complications, can also lead to the stillbirth of the baby. The mother’s life is also exposed to risk due to eclampsia and anaemia."

The National Family Health Survey—5 (2019–2021) revealed 8.5 percent of girls in urban areas and 19.6 percent in rural areas between the ages of 15 and 19  were already mothers or were pregnant.

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