First Signs of a Teenager Being Pregnant

There are several early signs that a teenager may be pregnant. According to Family First Aid, the United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy of any industrialized country. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy states that by age 20, one-third of young women in the U.S. have become pregnant. The following contain both behavioral and physical first signs that a teenager may be with child.

Sexual Activity

Knowing a teen is in an active, sexual relationship is a warning that pregnancy is possible. While precautions including using condoms and oral contraceptives may lessen the chances for unplanned pregnancy, an active sexual relationship is primary to pregnancy.

Mood Swings

It may appear difficult to tell the difference between the adolescent emotional roller coaster and emotional turbulence caused by pregnancy. But hormonal changes added to adolescent growth pains may appear as even more erratic and irritable extremes. A sudden escalation of mood swings and irritability may indicate early signs of teen pregnancy.

Extreme Privacy

A first sign that a teen may be pregnant is guarded and secretive behavior. Secret phone calls, texting, hidden e-mails or a refusal to share peer activity information are all indicators of possible teen pregnancy.

Missed Menstruation

If a teen's menstrual cycle is missed, it is a sign a fairly obvious physical sign of pregnancy. An untouched tampon supply in the bathroom may be a parent's first sign of a teenage pregnancy.

Nausea and diet changes

Pregnancy will likely change eating patterns and favorite foods. A change in habit to suddenly not eating breakfast anymore may indicate the nausea and stomach upset that is a first sign of pregnancy in a teen.

Sleeping Beauty

The extra stress and enervation of pregnancy takes a toll on the activity level and wakefulness of a teen. Pregnancy Centers Web site lists fatigue as an early sign of teen pregnancy.

Frequent urination

If it seems your teen is using the bathroom more often, it could be a first sign of pregnancy. It could also be a sign of a urinary tract infection. As with other signs listed here, no one sign is a definite indicator of teen pregnancy.

Depression

If a teen seems depressed beyond just having an occasional blue Monday, it may be because she is depressed about being pregnant. Depending on her personality, the depression may come out as being overly quiet or as agitated, nervous behavior.