Teen births and birth rates in the United States remain high. More than half a million American teenagers had babies in 1991. The birth rate for teenagers had fallen and stabilized between 1970 and 1986, but then increased 24 percent from 1986 to 1991, to 62.1 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19. The vast majority of teen childbearing is unintended. The negative consequences of teen childbearing are severe. Teen mothers have greatly restricted educational attainment and are more likely to face lifetime poverty. They are less likely to receive timely prenatal care, and they have higher rates for certain risk factors for poor pregnancy outcome, such as inadequate weight gain and smoking during pregnancy. Their babies are at elevated risk of low birthweight and preterm birth, which in turn places them at risk for illness, developmental delays and even death.