From http://womensissues.about.com/librar.../aa122402a.htm
Review of American Births - 2002
In 2001 4,025,933 babies were born (down a small bit from 2000.) The trends are documented in the 2001 review of American births, released by the government on December 18th, 2002. The following statistics were taken from that information:
51% of the babies born in 2002 were boys - which is normally the case.
Most of the babies were born in August or September - also normally the case. Some experts believe the reason more babies are born in those months, is because the cold weather began to set in 9 months earlier.
The median age of mothers giving birth rose to 24.8 years, up from 22.1 years in 1970.
Prenatal Statistics:
The number of women who received prenatal care rose to 83%, up from 76% in 2000.
The number of smoking mothers fell to 12%, continuing the decline of the past 10 years.
Birth Statistics:
Teen births hit a record low, the 10th year of falling rates.
The rate of induced births rose to 20%, doubling since 1989.
The incidence of low birth weight infants (weighing less than 5.5 pounds) rose to 7.7%, up more than 13% since the mid-1980s.
The percentage of babies born prematurely reached 12%, a 20 year high, driven by an increase in multiple births.
The rate of Cesarean sections climbed to nearly 25%, the highest rate in 10 years.
The twin birth rate topped 3% of all deliveries in 2001 for the first time, and the number of triplets and higher-ordered multiples climbed 3%.
Edited for readability.
Review of American Births - 2002
In 2001 4,025,933 babies were born (down a small bit from 2000.) The trends are documented in the 2001 review of American births, released by the government on December 18th, 2002. The following statistics were taken from that information:
51% of the babies born in 2002 were boys - which is normally the case.
Most of the babies were born in August or September - also normally the case. Some experts believe the reason more babies are born in those months, is because the cold weather began to set in 9 months earlier.
The median age of mothers giving birth rose to 24.8 years, up from 22.1 years in 1970.
Prenatal Statistics:
The number of women who received prenatal care rose to 83%, up from 76% in 2000.
The number of smoking mothers fell to 12%, continuing the decline of the past 10 years.
Birth Statistics:
Teen births hit a record low, the 10th year of falling rates.
The rate of induced births rose to 20%, doubling since 1989.
The incidence of low birth weight infants (weighing less than 5.5 pounds) rose to 7.7%, up more than 13% since the mid-1980s.
The percentage of babies born prematurely reached 12%, a 20 year high, driven by an increase in multiple births.
The rate of Cesarean sections climbed to nearly 25%, the highest rate in 10 years.
The twin birth rate topped 3% of all deliveries in 2001 for the first time, and the number of triplets and higher-ordered multiples climbed 3%.
Edited for readability.
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