Why you should train your eyes on your pregnant teen daughter

“Adolescent mothers face unique challenges including a higher risk of mistreatment and abuse during facility-based childbirth, compared to adult mothers. This increased risk is likely due to their intersecting identities,” the report says.

Those most affected are girls from informal settlements and rural areas, especially those with little or no formal education.

It says they are often left at the mercy of healthcare workers who regard them as moral failures rather than vulnerable patients deserving care and dignity.

“In one study, adolescent mothers aged 15–19 years with no education were more likely to experience verbal abuse compared with older mothers. Adolescent mothers aged 15–19 years were nearly twice as likely to report experiencing physical abuse during childbirth compared with mothers aged 20–24 years,” the report says.

The abuse is not limited to physical or verbal mistreatment. It is also deeply embedded in healthcare practices that fail to acknowledge or respect autonomy of young mothers.

“Further, adolescent mothers were more likely to report experiencing physical and verbal abuse, stigma and discrimination during childbirth more than mothers older than 29 years.”

Report says many healthcare workers view young mothers as irresponsible.

“Young mothers are frequently stigmatised as ‘irresponsible’ by healthcare providers and face verbal abuse, judgmental comments and even neglect. They are also denied appropriate medical interventions. Some healthcare workers view childbirth pain as a ‘lesson’ for early pregnancy,” the report reads.

This entrenched bias means young mothers are often denied basic rights such as adequate pain relief or clear explanations of medical procedures.

“Young mothers are also less likely to receive adequate pain management due to assumptions about their ability to tolerate pain," it says.

The report also raised concern with  informed consent.

“Healthcare providers may also fail to fully explain medical procedures and interventions to adolescents, denying them their right to informed consent.”

And even when present in facilities, adolescent mothers may not feel safe.

“Overall, many health facilities lack adolescent friendly services and young mothers often feel out of place in adult-centric maternal care environments. This, together with the fear of stigma and discrimination may discourage them from seeking antenatal care or follow-up support.”

Instant analysis

The report exposes systemic abuse of adolescent mothers in Kenyan hospitals. Healthcare reforms must include age-sensitive, rights-based maternity care.