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Pregnancy is something that must be prepared properly so that both mother and baby are healthy. Couples, especially the woman, must be physically and mentally prepared before having children because pregnancy is sometimes difficult for some women. However, sometimes pregnancy happens unexpectedly, neither planned nor wanted. These unplanned pregnancies are usually associated with increased problems for both the mother and the baby because the mother has not prepared herself for pregnancy.

What are the risks of an unplanned pregnancy?

Unplanned pregnancies can occur in women who have not or already had children but do not want to have children, or it can occur because the timing of the pregnancy is not as desired. Unplanned pregnancies can occur because of not using contraceptives, or the use of contraceptives that are inconsistent or incorrect. In the end, this has a negative impact on health, social and psychological.

1. Complications and death

The risk that can arise from an unplanned pregnancy is a greater chance of complications during pregnancy and can even cause death for the mother and baby. Unplanned pregnancies that occur in adolescents can have a more severe health impact on the mother. Teenage pregnant women can suffer from toxemia, anemia, birth complications and death. Babies of these teenage mothers are also more likely to have low birth weight and suffer birth injuries or neurological defects. Babies are also twice as likely to die in the first year of life.

2. Depression

Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies can also contribute to depression during pregnancy and postpartum, and to a lesser extent during pregnancy, postpartum, and in the long term. Several studies have shown that an unwanted pregnancy is associated with depression, anxiety and higher levels of stress.

Eastwood's 2011 study involving 29405 women in Australia proved that the incidence of postpartum depression was more common in women who had unwanted pregnancies. Another 2007 study in China also showed that women whose pregnancies were unwanted were found to be 40% more likely to experience high levels of psychological stress and to experience three times more high-grade depression symptoms.

3. Care for delayed pregnancy

Early pregnancy care is important for every pregnant woman. Proper pregnancy care has been shown to be associated with healthy birth weight babies. Women with unwanted pregnancies are less likely to get health services during pregnancy than women with desired pregnancies. Research shows that women who don't want their pregnancies are more likely to get delayed pregnancy care than women with planned pregnancies.

4. Premature birth

Several studies have shown that women with unwanted pregnancies have a higher risk of preterm delivery. Premature babies tend to have low birth weight, which is associated with physical and cognitive disabilities in infancy as well as lower educational attainment in adulthood.

5. Low baby weight

Research also shows that babies born from unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, in which the mother refuses to become pregnant, are less likely to have a lower birth weight than babies of mothers who want a pregnancy. This low birth weight also increases the baby's overnight problems and subsequent life of the child, such as physical and cognitive disabilities, and lower educational attainment.

6. The baby is not breastfed

Several studies have shown that there is an association between unwanted pregnancy and breastfeeding, in which mothers are less likely to breastfeed their babies. In fact, breastfeeding is an important thing for mothers to do after giving birth so that their babies are healthy. Breast milk can protect babies from disease and is the best food for babies.

What should I do if I have an unplanned pregnancy?

Many women don't know what to do when they have an unplanned pregnancy, especially if it happens to a couple who is not married. This is what makes mothers face the risks as above. For that, for those of you who have an unplanned pregnancy, you should not panic and focus your attention on the health of the fetus in the womb. Some of the things that must be done are:

• Start by consuming the nutrients you need. It is important to take 400-800 micrograms of folic acid daily, which you can get from food or supplements.
• It's best to quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs if you previously did.
• Maintain your weight within the normal range.
• Immediately check your pregnancy to the doctor. Ask what you should do to keep you and your unborn baby healthy.
• Seek support from the people closest to you.