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Repeat Teen Births

The Number of Teen Mothers Having a Repeat Birth Before Age 20 Has Declined Since 2004.

However, in 2015, More Than 38,000 US Teens Had a Repeat Birth.

The good news:

  • In 2015, 1 in 6 births to teens aged 15 to 19 years was a repeat birth—down from 1 in 5 in 2004.
  • The proportion of teen mothers using the most effective methods* of reversible contraception (IUDs or implants), also known as long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), increased from 5.3% to 25.3%.

 

Trends and Distribution of Postpartum Contraception Method Use* Among Teens aged <20 years—Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 5 states, 2004–2013.

Trends and Distribution of Postpartum Contraception Method Use* Among Teens aged <20 years—Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 5 states, † 2004–2013.  Most effective methods: 2004-2005, 5.3% 2006-2007, 14.8% 2008-2009, 22.6% 2010-2011, 26.1% 2012-2013, 25.3%  Moderately effective methods: 2004-2005, 65.1%  2006-2007, 53.3% 2008-2009, 50% 2010-2011, 48.3% 2012-2013, 40.2%  Least effective methods: 2004-2005, 16.3%  2006-2007, 14.6% 2008-2009, 14% 2010-2011, 16.4% 2012-2013, 19.8%  No method: 2004-2005, 13.3 % 2006-2007, 17.3% 2008-2009, 13.3% 2010-2011, 9.2% 2012-2013, 14.7%

The not-so good news:

  • While about 25% of teen mothers used the most effective methods of contraception (implants or IUDs) in 2013, 33% used a least effective method (mostly condoms alone) or no contraception at all.

 

Distribution of Postpartum Contraception Method Use* Among Teens Aged <20 Years—Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 31 Sites, 2013

Distribution of Postpartum Contraception Method Use* Among Teens Aged <20 Years—Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 31 Sites, 2013  Most effective methods, 27% Moderately effective methods, 40% Least effective methods, 16% No method, 17%  * Methods categorized by effectiveness, as determined by the percentage of females who experience pregnancy during the first year of typical use as the following: most effective (contraceptive implant and intrauterine device, also known as Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), (10%); also includes measure of teen mothers who report no postpartum contraceptive use.  † Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, and Rhode Island.

Access to the full range of contraceptive methods after birth, especially moderately and most effective contraception, is critical for preventing repeat teen births.

 

For more information about repeat teen births and what state and community-based organizations can do to support the prevention of repeat teen pregnancy, read the  full “Trends in Repeat Births and Use of Postpartum Contraception Among Teens—United States, 2004–2015” article.

 

Additional resources for state and community-based organizations include:

* Methods categorized by effectiveness, as determined by the percentage of females who experience pregnancy during the first year of typical use as the following: most effective (contraceptive implant and intrauterine device, also known as Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), (<1%); moderately effective (oral contraceptive pill, an injectable [e.g., Depo-Provera], birth control patch, and vaginal ring) (6%–10%); and least effective (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive sponge, rhythm method/natural family planning, the morning after pill, withdrawal, and other responses that could not be categorized to a more effective category) (>10%); also includes measure of teen mothers who report no postpartum contraceptive use.

† Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, and Rhode Island.

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