A seventeen-year old was the mother of the first baby born in the New Year at the San Lorenzo Maternity Hospital in Los Mina. According to Listin Diario, she was soon followed by two other women who gave birth at other public health system maternity units. The young mother, Ruth Encarnacion, gave birth to her daughter Weslin just as the clock struck midnight. Ashley Dominguez Mercedes was born at the La Altagracia Maternity Hospital twelve minutes later and Dayhani Burgos arrived at the Dr. Reynaldo Almanzar Hospital in the Ciudad de la Salud at 12:35am. Two of the three births were C-sections. This is the third year in a row that a teenager has given birth to the first New Year’s baby.
Diario Libre dedicates its first editorial of the year to urge for reflection on the high teenage pregnancy rate, describing it as “one of the most serious structural problems of our society… A pregnant teenager suffers more health problems as well as being exposed to increased mother and child mortality risks… The mother is more likely to leave school. And as a result her chances of educating herself and getting a job will be drastically reduced. Her family and social circle usually suffer serious consequences because many families still reject the situation and force the girl to leave the family home. The spouse chosen is usually as young as she is and the situation does not bode well for the future. Health, education, environment, work and housing… all are problems that are difficult to overcome. 22% of young Dominican girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have already become mothers. Imagine that.”
www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/1/2/305335/Nacen-las-3-primeras-ninas-del-ano-2014-en-la-Republica-Dominicana
www.diariolibre.com/opinion/2014/01/02/i421951_adolescentes.html