Giving Birth in BC provides expectant mothers and their families with a snapshot of the health landscape in BC and how birth is changing with respect to the age of mothers, home births, and different types of health care providers.
Data highlights include:
- The number of deliveries in BC has increased from just over 40,200 in 2005/06 to nearly 43,400 in 2014/15.
- The median age of mothers across BC has increased from 30.6 to 31.4 years. An increase of less than one year may not seem like very much, but at older maternal age (35 and over), the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth start to increase.
- Where women choose to give birth is changing—births that take place in the home are happening more often. Across BC, there are more than twice as many home births occurring now than in 2005.
- In BC, women can choose a family physician, an obstetrician, or a registered midwife to provide their health care during pregnancy, birth, and after birth. Most deliveries are attended by one of these care providers.
Women can also look at regional differences by comparing data from various Health Service Delivery Areas in BC.
