Teenage pregnancy: Attitudes, social support and adjustment to pregnancy during the antenatal period

The aim of this study was to explore adjustment to pregnancy in an expectant teenage population in Hull and East Yorkshire. Results are based on 99 first time expectant mothers aged 14-16 (n = 21) and 17-18 (n = 78) and suggest that the majority of pregnancies, though unplanned, were wanted. The participants felt well supported by their families, and many appeared to be in stable relationships throughout the antenatal period. Positive changes in attitudes towards the pregnancy and foetus between 20 and 37 weeks were found. There were few differences between the younger age group (14-16) and those aged 17 and 18. The results suggest most of the sample adjusted well to their pregnancies.