Zakiya, a woman who became a mother at the age of 16, told Salam Watandar that having a child at such a young age brought her numerous hardships.
“I married at 14 and gave birth to my first child at 16. During my pregnancy with my first child, I faced a lot of pain and suffering. When my child was born, I went through many difficulties because I was so young. It was very hard for me to give birth. I even fainted several times; it was likely that either the child or I could have died. The doctors worked hard, and thankfully, God helped me, and I was lucky enough to live. Parents should marry off their daughters at the legal age because otherwise, they will face a lot of problems,” she added.
Similarly, Mariam, another woman who had a child at a young age, shares her experience of severe mental health issues and anemia. She says: “Getting married at a young age affects your nerves. You become very depressed and ill. Right now, I have anemia, and I suffer from depression and nerve problems. Every doctor I visit tells me that marrying young causes many health problems.”
Early marriage and childbirth not only lead to physical ailments in women but also contribute to various mental health issues. Sewita Habibi, a psychotherapist, explains that women who give birth before reaching the appropriate age may experience depression and other psychological challenges.
“Women who become pregnant before they are ready, or before the age of 18, experience anxiety and stress. They worry about whether they can take care of their child or what problems they might face. This alone causes significant anxiety,” she said.
Meanwhile, Abeda Reha, an obstetrician-gynecologist, says that when women become pregnant at a young age, both the mother and the child are at serious risk. She adds: “At this age, a girl’s growth is not yet complete; she is still developing. When a young girl becomes pregnant, her body is not fully prepared for pregnancy, and she requires more nutrients. If she becomes pregnant, neither the mother nor the child receives the necessary nutrition, leading to malnutrition. One of the dangers is anemia, which is a major cause of maternal mortality.”
It is important to note that the optimal age for pregnancy is between 20 and 35 years, during which women are physically and mentally prepared for childbirth, and there are no serious risks to their health.
