If you are a teenager and you have just found out you are pregnant, the most important message in this article is a simple one: do not hide it, and do not delay seeking help. Whatever your circumstances — whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned, whether you feel supported or alone — starting care early is the single best thing you can do for your own health and your baby's. Doctors, midwives and public health staff are there to care for you, not to judge you.

What does "teenage pregnancy" mean?

The World Health Organization defines adolescence as the ages of 10 to 19, so a teenage (adolescent) pregnancy is one that occurs in a mother under 20. In Sri Lanka, teenage pregnancies have been steadily declining: pregnancies among mothers under 20 fell from about 6.5% of registered pregnancies in 2009 to 3.8% in 2023, and 3.7% in 2024. That is a proportion of registered pregnancies — not the percentage of all Sri Lankan teenagers who become pregnant — and rates still vary considerably between districts.

Why some risks are higher — and why they are not inevitable

Compared with mothers in their twenties, adolescent mothers as a group have somewhat higher risks of conditions such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, and of infections after delivery. Their babies are more likely to be born early, to have a low birth weight, or to need extra care as newborns.

It is important to read those sentences the right way. These are increased risks across a population, not predictions about you. The great majority of teenage mothers who receive proper antenatal care deliver healthy babies. Many of the risks are made worse by late booking, poor nutrition, anaemia and lack of support — all things that good, early care can address. That is exactly why hiding a pregnancy is the most dangerous choice of all.

Step one: register early

In Sri Lanka, antenatal care starts with registration with your area's Public Health Midwife (PHM) or at the MOH clinic — ideally as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed. International guidance recommends that the first booking assessment happen by around 10 weeks of pregnancy, so that your medical, emotional and social needs can be assessed early. If you prefer, you can also see an obstetrician directly at a hospital clinic or private consultation.

Early registration means:

  • Your dates are confirmed with an early scan, and later scans are arranged on time.
  • You are checked and treated for anaemia — common in young mothers — and given folic acid, iron and other supplements.
  • Your nutrition is assessed and supported, including Thriposha where indicated.
  • Any medical problems, and any social difficulties, are identified while there is plenty of time to help.

After that, attending every clinic appointment matters more than anything else. Regular visits are how problems like rising blood pressure or poor growth of the baby are caught early.

Your right to respectful, confidential care

Clinical guidance for the care of pregnant women under 20 is clear: care should be age-appropriate, accessible and non-judgemental, your confidentiality should be respected, and your partner should be involved only with your agreement. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health also runs adolescent-friendly health services — the Yowun Piyasa centres — created specifically so that young people can get approachable, friendly healthcare and advice.

Being pregnant at a young age can bring strong emotions — fear, shame, worry about family and school. Tell your PHM or doctor how you are feeling; emotional wellbeing is part of antenatal care, not separate from it.

If you need protection: if your pregnancy involves abuse, coercion, exploitation, threats or an unsafe home, help is available. Call 1929 — the National Child Protection Authority's free, 24-hour Childline. You can also speak in confidence to any doctor, midwife or hospital staff member; they can connect you with protection services.

School, family and practical support

Pregnancy does not have to be the end of your education. Sri Lankan research shows that the biggest long-term harms of adolescent pregnancy come not from the pregnancy itself but from lost schooling, weak social support and barriers to healthcare — and these can be changed. Where possible:

  • Involve a trusted adult early — a parent, aunt, teacher or your PHM can help you tell your family.
  • Discuss options for continuing or returning to education after the birth.
  • Accept practical support — with childcare, nutrition and clinic visits — from family and community services.

After the birth: planning your next pregnancy on your terms

A rapid second pregnancy in the teenage years carries higher risks for both mother and baby, so contraception is discussed during pregnancy — not left until afterwards. Modern methods, including long-acting reversible contraception such as implants and intrauterine devices, are safe for young mothers and can be started soon after delivery. The choice is always yours; your doctor or PHM will explain the options so you can decide what suits your plans for study, work and family.

The bottom line

  • If you are pregnant and under 20, seek care as soon as possible — never hide a pregnancy.
  • Most risks linked to teenage pregnancy are reduced by early registration, good nutrition and regular clinic visits.
  • You are entitled to respectful, confidential, non-judgemental care — including adolescent-friendly services.
  • If there is abuse or you feel unsafe, call 1929 (Childline) or tell any health worker.
  • Plan contraception after birth during your pregnancy, on your own informed choice.

If you or someone in your family is facing a teenage pregnancy, you can consult us in confidence. See also our guides to a healthy early pregnancy, nutrition in pregnancy and our pregnancy care hub.

References

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  2. United Nations Population Fund Sri Lanka. Teenage pregnancy in Sri Lanka: trends and determinants [Internet]. Colombo: UNFPA Sri Lanka; 2024 [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: srilanka.unfpa.org
  3. World Health Organization. Adolescent pregnancy [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024 [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: who.int
  4. World Health Organization. WHO guideline on preventing early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: who.int
  5. Ganchimeg T, Ota E, Morisaki N, Laopaiboon M, Lumbiganon P, Zhang J, et al. Pregnancy and childbirth outcomes among adolescent mothers: a World Health Organization multicountry study. BJOG. 2014;121 Suppl 1:40–8. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.12630
  6. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Pregnancy and complex social factors: a model for service provision for pregnant women with complex social factors (CG110) [Internet]. London: NICE; 2010 [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: nice.org.uk/guidance/cg110
  7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Antenatal care (NG201) [Internet]. London: NICE; 2021 [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201
  8. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Contraceptive services for under 25s (PH51) [Internet]. London: NICE; 2014 [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: nice.org.uk/guidance/ph51
  9. Agampodi TC, Wickramasinghe ND, Jayakodi HG, Amarasinghe GS, Warnasekara JN, Hettiarachchi AU, et al. The hidden burden of adolescent pregnancies in rural Sri Lanka: findings of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21:494. doi:10.1186/s12884-021-03977-1
  10. Senaratne P, Kankanam Pathiranage HS, Jayawardhana D, Kaluarachchi K, Gaspe S. Socioeconomic impacts of adolescent pregnancy on education and future employment in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka. BMC Public Health. 2025;25:3262. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-24108-x
  11. Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health Sri Lanka. Basic maternal care: a manual for healthcare providers [Internet]. Colombo: Family Health Bureau; 2023 [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: fhb.health.gov.lk
  12. National Child Protection Authority, Sri Lanka. 1929 Call Centre Helpline [Internet]. Colombo: National Child Protection Authority; [cited 2026 Aug 9]. Available from: childprotection.gov.lk