Hence, many factors – family, education, social context, tradition and environmental
conditions – all contribute to the large number of pregnant Thai adolescents. Sadly, most
research confirms that teenagers are not ready for pregnancy and motherhood. Thus,
adolescent pregnancy is often undesirable regardless of whether it is planned or not.
A change of role from young woman to “adolescent mother” means opportunities are lost
for the teenager, her family and society. It is difficult to assess the extent of the short- and
long-term impact of adolescent pregnancy on livelihood, quality of life, health, society and
the economy. Some adolescent mothers end up separated from their partner and left to face
problems alone, which can lead to emotional insecurity, stress and depression. Many young
women have to conceal their pregnancy from parents and people around them. Adolescents
are also at higher risk of death and illness during pregnancy and childbirth. Adolescent
pregnancy has consequences for the health of the infant, such as increased chance of low
birth weight, preterm birth and infant mortality. Children born of unwanted pregnancies are
also sometimes abandoned at hospitals.