Alexa DeCarlo

First Name: 
Alexa
Last Name: 
DeCarlo
Mentor: 
Dr. Julie Leventhal
Abstract: 
Research indicates that teenage mothers are the least likely demographic to access prenatal care, but are most likely to benefit from it. Due to negative social perceptions, teenage mothers may be hesitant to access social and medical help regarding their pregnancies, thus leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes for mother and child (i.e., preterm delivery, maternal postpartum depression, and infant developmental delays). The purpose of this study was to examine negative consequences regarding a lack of prenatal care and explore teenage mothers’ perceptions of their pregnancies and barriers preventing their use of prenatal care.
Poster: 
16 and Pregnant: Stereotypes and Supports During Teenage Pregnancy
Year: 
2021