Teen C-sections

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2003

A Big reason is because of CPD. Their pelvis a lot of times is just not big enough. Many times it seems as if the docs go to c-section sooner because the girls are just "not tolerating" labor well.

It also seems as though I see more placenta previa and breech presentations with teens. (not that it is a statistic or anything)

Also, teens are at higher risk for Preeclampsia/eclampsia and might be induced early because of this, and thus their bodies may not be ready for labor and delivery, thus leading to c-section for failure to progress. It also seems that teens are *sometimes* more "whiny" during their pregnancy, leading the docs to induce early and have failed inductions leading to C/S.

Sable's mom · Mar 29, 2003

I agree with ShandyLynn on this. It is a combination of those factors, and the fact that many teenage moms are VERY unprepared for labor and delivery - they get their instruction from soaps and TLC - not willing to notice the difference between TV and life. They are frequently unable to tolerate labor without increased analgesia and many complaints. This often leads the docs to call FTP sooner. Also, the girls aren't as able to ahead and see the possible future ramifications of a C/S - "just get it out of me" is a frequent cry.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 30, 2003

What Shandy and Linda said. All the above are indeed reasons why teens often experience csection deliveries.

mark_LD_RN · Mar 30, 2003

yep have to agree, their bodies are not ready of birth and they are usually unprepared often immature and little or no support

GAstudent · Mar 30, 2003

I want to say that when I was 16 I became pregnant. I was in the 10th grade. I was in labor for 20 hours and had been given the option of a c section because my son was turned on his side. I choose the other option of turning and pushing in order to get him to turn. Finally he turned the right way. By 19 hours he was not coming (not to mention the the epidural was wore off. I am only 5'3 and 120 lbs carrying an 8lb 11oz 22 inch child.) My doctor said lets push a little more. I was like what can it hurt. She later said I really had no option put to continue pushing. Finally an hour later he came.

I do agree that it can be that the pt is immature and has little support. I got married at 17 and had my son. I got pregnant again at 17 (four months after my first son was born) and delivered him easily. I had support from family friends, husband, and school.

All I really want to say is please nurses give the teens as much comfort as you can. Let them know they are ok. and let them know the differences in after affects of c sections and vag. deliveries. But please please please don't look at all of them as just sex machines who can't keep their pants on and that they wont take care of the child. I am now 19 and a mother of two boys ages 1 1/2 and 2 1/2. My 2 1/2 can count to 25 in English and 15 in Spanish. He can say half of his ABC's (he has not yet mastered them all). He says please and thank you. We are working on Yes Mam and No Mam and Yes Sir and No Sir. He is not perfect he has bad habits also. One day he heard me call someone Stupid (road rage) and he started calling people Stupid. I think he has quit now. But I have goals like everyone else. My husband and I are building a house, I am a CNA, and I attend school for my RN.

Just don't look at all teens as bad parents. PLEase. There are woman and men in their 20's , 30's and 40's who can't raise children because they just don't want to. They just want to have sex. I think that age does not make a mother or father, what makes a mother is love. Included in Love is goals, ambitions, hopes, dreams, laughter, caring,, etc...

mark_LD_RN · Mar 30, 2003

Originally posted by GAstudent
I want to say that when I was 16 I became pregnant. I was in the 10th grade. I was in labor for 20 hours and had been given the option of a c section because my son was turned on his side. I choose the other option of turning and pushing in order to get him to turn. Finally he turned the right way. By 19 hours he was not coming (not to mention the the epidural was wore off. I am only 5'3 and 120 lbs carrying an 8lb 11oz 22 inch child.) My doctor said lets push a little more. I was like what can it hurt. She later said I really had no option put to continue pushing. Finally an hour later he came.

I do agree that it can be that the pt is immature and has little support. I got married at 17 and had my son. I got pregnant again at 17 (four months after my first son was born) and delivered him easily. I had support from family friends, husband, and school.

All I really want to say is please nurses give the teens as much comfort as you can. Let them know they are ok. and let them know the differences in after affects of c sections and vag. deliveries. But please please please don't look at all of them as just sex machines who can't keep their pants on and that they wont take care of the child. I am now 19 and a mother of two boys ages 1 1/2 and 2 1/2. My 2 1/2 can count to 25 in English and 15 in Spanish. He can say half of his ABC's (he has not yet mastered them all). He says please and thank you. We are working on Yes Mam and No Mam and Yes Sir and No Sir. He is not perfect he has bad habits also. One day he heard me call someone Stupid (road rage) and he started calling people Stupid. I think he has quit now. But I have goals like everyone else. My husband and I are building a house, I am a CNA, and I attend school for my RN.

Just don't look at all teens as bad parents. PLEase. There are woman and men in their 20's , 30's and 40's who can't raise children because they just don't want to. They just want to have sex. I think that age does not make a mother or father, what makes a mother is love. Included in Love is goals, ambitions, hopes, dreams, laughter, caring,, etc...

no need to worry or beg:) no one here said teens are al bad parents.I and am pretty sure the others her do not prejudge them, keep them informed and suport them as much as possible. I often spend my whole time with them at their side. but that does not change the fact that their bodies often are just not ready to give birth when they are between the ages of 12-17. and at 5'3 and 120 lbs you are obviously not the smallest under develope teen i would have had to deal with.

personally my parents were 15 when they had me, and i seem to have turned out fine:) just don't get the impression nurses think all teenagers are sex machines,immature ,make horrible parents etc. one can not paint any group of people with such a broad term as "all".

good luck in the future and with school. and try to encourage your kids to wait to start a family a while:)

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2003

I definitely don't prejudge teen moms as sex machines. I had a child at 19, first year of college, and I can say that even though I was in college, I wasn't as mature as I thought I was at the time :) I am very compassionate towards teen moms. It is great to see those that have family support. Jenny P, I think it's great that you have done so well!

I agree with Mark though.... just because of personal maturity level, doesn't mean that her body is just as mature.

HazeK · Mar 30, 2003

must agree that our YOUNG teens, 12-16,

seem to have a higher c/s rate than those women over 16.

After years of OB nursing (yes, I 'm old),

I would attribute this increased rate to:

1) smaller, immature pelvic structures

2) MD wanting to avoid extensive lacerations/repairs on such childlike perineums, so, if any question of macrosomia or shoulder dystocia, the MDs tend to jump into c/s quicker

3) heavier, denser anesthesia required to keep pt comfortable slows/arrests their labors. Higher doses necessary due to fear, anxiety, and never having to deal with pain before in their lives.

Leastways, this is one nurses' unsubstantiate opinion!

Hugs

Haze :cool:

GAstudent · Mar 31, 2003

I am sorry if I sounded like I thought nurses did look at teens that way. I just wanted to make sure. Some people look at me when I am shopping with my kids and give me mean looks and I think if you just knew then you wouldn't look at me that way. I am very goal directed and know what I want and how to get there. As for my under developed size. I wish I was bigger. I don't even have a prayer. My mom is smaller then me and my dad is 5'6 180lbs. Luckily I married a 6' tall 205lb man. LOL..Hopefully both of my boys will take after him.

Sorry to have sounded the wrong way. Thanks for not looking at all teens that way. I am one of the ones who takes care and loves my children.

angelbear · Mar 31, 2003

I was 15 with my oldest. I must say the nurses that cared for me way back then were awsome. I had a c-section DT FTP and spike in BP. I know my body wasnt ready and although it has been many years I know I was not emotionally ready. Didnt have alot of family support either but the nurses I encountered made a HUGE difference in my life. They were respectful, supportive and informitive. Two experiences in particular helped to influence my career choice much later in life. Exactly one day PP it all hit me and I was hit with a major bout of depression (fear) I remember this one nurse sat with me for quite sometime, she held me and comforted me till I had calmed some then she took my face in her hands and said "Honey you are young and I know it is scarey but you are a good girl and I know you can beat the odds. You can be a good mom and a good person. The choice is yours." She then told me to dry my tears and get busy about life. She was tender and caring yet firm. She helped me believe in me. She also hooked me up with an early intervention program. The program sent a nurse to our house to spend time with me and the baby. She taught me how to play with him and do excersise with him to stimulate him. She talked to me alot and made me feel good about what I was doing right and helped me figure out the things I wasnt. She also talked to my husband who was only 19 at the time about PP depression and ways he could help me with the babies care. She was a god send to all of us. Ninteen yrs later I still remember these nurses and the influence they had on me. THANK GOD FOR NURSES!!!

kimmicoobug · Mar 31, 2003

We covered this material in theory (nursing student, here) and we did learn that there is a higher rate of c-sections and abruption, and previa....I could look it up, since I have it in my books, but won't because I am lazy :).

Also have to admit that I was not a teenage mom, but young and immature at 20. What some of you are saying about immaturity possibly resulting in more c-sect. could very well be true. I put my poor MD through hell, and really ashamed of my ignorance of the birhing process. However, at 22, with my second. I did my research, knew exactly what to expect (given things go normally), what I wanted to avoid, and coped better the second time around. Just my two cents worth.