Career Aspirations and Pregnancy Intentions in Pregnant Teens

Study ObjectiveTo quantify the association between career aspirations and pregnancy intention in a cohort of pregnant adolescents seeking prenatal care.DesignPregnant adolescents presenting for their first prenatal visit between March 2002 and February 2005 participated in a 30-minute interview as part of a larger cohort study addressing pregnancy attitudes and outcomes. Pregnancy intention was assessed through direct questioning and career aspirations were assessed by categorizing career goal responses into three categories: those requiring less than a college education, those requiring at least a college education, and undecided. Associations between pregnancy intention and career aspirations were quantified using cross tabulations and multivariable logistic regression.SettingHospital based prenatal clinic.ParticipantsWomen aged 12 to 19 seeking prenatal care.Main Outcome MeasurePregnancy intention.ResultsOf the 257 pregnant adolescents included in the study, 20% were 12–15 years old, 39% were 16–17 years old and 41% were 18–19 years old. The majority (85%) of the adolescents reported their pregnancies were unintended; 59% reported a career that requires at least a college education; 28% reported a career that requires less than a college education; and, 13% were undecided. Intended pregnancy was observed in 15% of those with career aspirations not requiring college and 17% of those with career aspirations and requiring college.ConclusionsThe majority of adolescents in this study reported their pregnancy was unintended, had career aspirations requiring at least a college education, and reported plans to go back to school after the baby was born. Understanding pregnant adolescents’ career aspirations may help inform pregnancy prevention and parenting support programs.