The Latest Trends in Childbirth: CDC Releases Stats on Cesareans, Preterm Birth and Inductions

If you are looking for the latest, most up-to-date US statistics in childbirth today, the CDC's Division of Vital Statistics has just released the most current information from the year 2006. Here is a look at some of the most fascinating trends in childbirth. If you live in a different country than the United States, how do trends in your area compare?

More Babies are Being Born

As compared to 2005, there was a 3% increase in the number of births that occurred bringing the number of births in 2006 to 4,265,555.

More Teens Give Birth

There was also a 3% increase in the number of babies born to mothers 15-19 years of age. This was a notable change since there had been a 14 year decline in the number of teens giving birth. Since babies born to teens are at higher risk for complications, this is undoubtedly a disturbing trend.

Births to Unmarried Mothers Increased

This comprised of over 38% of all births. There was an overall increase of 7% from 2005 to 2006 in the number of babies born to unmarried mothers.

Fewer Mothers Received Prenatal Care

Statistics showed that higher numbers of mothers began prenatal care as late as the third trimester of pregnancy. In addition, the number of women receiving no prenatal care rose in 2006. This is an alarming trend of fewer mothers receiving prenatal care since we know the importance of getting good prenatal care very early in pregnancy, including regular prenatal visits, eating a healthy diet and taking prenatal vitamins.

Labor Inductions Increased

Statistics showed that 22.5% of mothers had their labors induced, which was twice the number of inductions from 1990. There was an overall increase in the number of labor inductions that take place before the mother is full-term, resulting in a preterm baby.

The Cesarean Rate is Higher

In 2006, the cesarean rate climbed again to 31.1% of all births. The number of primary cesareans (mothers having a cesarean with their first birth) increased. The climbing cesarean rate is a trend that has continued for the last several years and is likely related to the increase in labor inductions, hospitals births and other medical interventions.

The Number of Preterm Births rose in 2006

The current rate of preterm birth is at 12.8% which represents a 20% increase since 1990. Likely there are many factors that play into this statistic including the mother's age, stress level, health during pregnancy and overall health.

The Number of Births attended by Nurse-midwives has Remain Unchanged

A consistent trend in childbirth is that 7.9% of births in the US are attended by nurse-midwives. This number has stayed the same for the last three years. Nearly all of those births (93%) attended by a nurse-midwife occurred at a hospital.

More Mothers Choose Repeat Cesarean instead of VBAC

About 92% of mothers with a previous cesarean chose to have a repeat cesarean, versus about 8.5% of women choosing to have a VBAC after already having a previous cesarean. Childbirth professionals do not agree on the safety versus risk of VBAC, however the message that more women could safely have a VBAC is evidently not getting across to the majority of mothers with a previous cesarean.

Fewer Babies are Delivered by Forceps or Vacuum Extractor

2006 statistics for instrumental births showed the lowest number of births where either a vacuum extractor or forceps were used. The 1990 rate of all instrumental deliveries at 9% was cut in half in 2006 to 4.5% of all births where care providers used forceps or vacuum. This rate could be falling due to the rise in the cesarean rate or because some providers may be more supportive of mothers having a longer second stage of labor (pushing).

What are some trends in childbirth you have noticed in your area? Leave a comment here to let us know.

The copyright of the article The Latest Trends in Childbirth in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish The Latest Trends in Childbirth in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Mar 18, 2009 9:47 AM

Guest :

im young but im having a baby.
im excited though.
and i am a single mother.

Mar 18, 2009 2:22 PM

Guest :

It is my belief that choice is simply not the right term for the women who do not have VBACs. They have no choice in many hospitals that once offered that option. It is misleading to say that they chose a repeat C-section. Most women have no idea of the truth about safe births because hospitals will not tell them that it is actually safer to have their babies at home with a midwife than it is to have them in a hospital. And it is a lot more enjoyable at home. I can just hear the cries of "ENJOYABLE...not hardly!" coming from women who have had hospital births. But that just proves my point. They have no idea what they are missing!

Mar 18, 2009 6:05 PM

Guest :

I home birthed both my babies. Both births were intense, joyful, intensely joyful, joyfully intense, and ENJOYABLE.

Mar 18, 2009 7:45 PM

Guest :

I had my first and second children via c-section because I was given no other choice.

My babies did not turn over, so we were not able to deliver them. My nurse-midwife confirmed this.

I was also told that since I had a c-section with my first child, I was not allowed to have a VBAC outside of a hospital because of insurance, even if she had turned over.

I believe that my c-section the first time around - which was done and closed poorly - along with a high amount of drugs (pain killers) is responsible for my inability to nurse my daughter for more than a few days. I quite literally stopped producing milk with no cause.

My second child was able to nurse after a c-section that was very well done (as well as abdominal surgery can be done!) and nothing more than IB Profun after the locals wore off.

If you MUST have a c-section, CHOOSE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD, beacause ultimately, it is best for you!!!

Mar 19, 2009 9:53 PM

Guest :

I had a very ENJOYABLE experience having my baby in the hospital and it was drug free. I think it depends on the kind of person you are and it is also REALLY important to have a good relationship with your doctor or midwife. I think the hospital makes a big difference as well. My room felt more like a nice hotel room or a master suit than a cold hospital room. I would just suggest that all soon to be mommies make out a birth plan. A list of things that you would like to see happen or not happen when you are in labor, then go over it with your doctor or midwife. Most Hospitals will also let you tour their rooms before you actually go into labor. Take advantage of this. It will help you be more comfortable and relaxed when you go in to have your baby. I think that most doctors should respect your wishes and try to stay with them as much as they can. But yes in the end the safety of your baby should be top priority.