Signs of Pregnancy for Teenage Girls

According to the Guttmacher Institute, a group that focuses on research into women's sexual health, there are approximately 750,000 teen pregnancies in the United States each year. In many cases, these teenage girls get pregnant and then are afraid or scared to share their pregnancy with a loved one, friend or family member. Some girls may not even know they are pregnant if they do not the signs.

Clothing and Body Changes

For a parent, caretaker or close family member, noticing that the teenage girl is going up in dress sizes or wearing clothes that are baggy or over-sized may be an indication of pregnancy. This could be from sudden weight gain. It could also be from the changes that the body goes through throughout the entire pregnancy. Breasts may get larger, the mid-section area expands and the hips widen to prepare for birth. Swelling of the face and ankles may also be present.

Withdrawing

Another sign that a teenage girl may be facing a pregnancy is she may become more withdrawn from family and friends. One reason for this could be due to increased fatigue that many expectant mothers face at the start of a pregnancy. She may not want to engage in social activities such as going out or participating in sports after school or during gym class. If the pregnant teenager is keeping the baby a secret, she may choose to seclude herself from others who may notice her body changes. In some cases she may even choose to drop out of high school.

Change in Eating Habits

Seeing an overall change in eating habits may also be a sign of teenage pregnancy. In the first trimester of pregnancy, a sudden weight loss may be observed. This is generally from morning sickness and other hormonal changes she may be facing. As the pregnancy moves forward, the pregnant teen may find herself eating larger meal portions and snacking more throughout the day.

Personal Care

Another sign that a teenager may be pregnant is if she stops using personal care items. This includes tampons, maxi pads and other feminine or personal hygiene products. Many parents are in charge of keeping their daughters supplied with these items on a monthly basis. If she suddenly stops requesting them or they go unused, this could be a sign. For teenagers who were previously on the pill, they may begin to miss doctor's appointments at the family planning clinic. The increased pressure of the baby may cause back and body pain. The teenage girl may request either a heating pad or ice pack for comfort.

Flu-Like Symptoms

If a teenage girl is beginning to display flu like symptoms that tend to be ongoing this could also be a sign of a pregnancy. Extreme nausea---especially in the morning or just before a meal could be an indication of pregnancy. Vomiting and frequent trips to the bathroom could also be an indication. A slightly pale face or loss of color could also indicate the pregnant mom is still adjusting to being pregnant. In some cases syncope may be present. Syncope or passing out is caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and also from hormonal changes experienced throughout the pregnancy.