Page 93 - 2015 Compass Now

What affects birth rates?

A number of important statistics should be considered when examining birth rates. These maternal and
child health figures include teen pregnancy, low birth weight, prenatal care, and infant mortality. A data
comparison of the Great Rivers Region is found in Table 2.

Table 2: Comparison of Maternal and Child Health Factors by County
(Average Rates from 2010 through 2014)

County/Region Teen Birth Rate Low Birth 1st Trimester Infant Mortality Rate
(per 1,000 Births) Weight (%) Prenatal Care (%) (per 1,000 Births)

La Crosse 11.8 6.3 79.9 3.3

Monroe 27.9 6.1 69.1 7.5

Trempealeau 26.3 6.5 70.4 4.6

Vernon 11.0 4.8 54.3 7.6

Houston 12.4 3.3 86.4 8.4

Wisconsin 22.1 7.1 77.5 5.9

Minnesota 20.1 4.9 84.0 7.4

Source: Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Public Health Profiles; Minnesota Department of Health,
Minnesota County Health Tables

For the purpose of this table, “teen” is defined as a woman under the age of 19 years old.

Teen pregnancy is an important factor, as it can lead to a huge economic and health strain on our society. HEALTH
Teen mothers and their children are less likely to complete high school and thus live at a poverty level.
The negative health results of a teen pregnancy can include premature birth, a low birth weight infant,
an increase in the infant death rate, child abuse and neglect, and father-absence. La Crosse and Vernon
counties have lower teen birth rates than Wisconsin as a whole; however, Monroe and Trempealeau are both
above the state average. Houston County has a lower teen birth rate than average in Minnesota.

Low birth weight is defined as a newborn weight of lower than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams). Many
premature babies born before the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy have low birth weight. If a mother
smokes, drinks alcohol, uses drugs, or has exposure to environmental toxins, the risk of low birth weight
increases dramatically. In addition, the newborns face health risks such as respiratory illness and chronic
lung disease, vision and hearing problems, and neuron-developmental impairments. Low birth weight
deliveries are more common among women who begin prenatal care later in pregnancy, women with no
health care coverage, lower socioeconomic status, and teens. All counties in the Great Rivers Region have
birth weight rates that are lower than the state average.

Prenatal care that begins during the first trimester of a pregnancy has been shown to increase the odds of
a healthy birth and a healthy baby. Medical conditions, environmental hazards, and lifestyle factors are
just some of the risks that can be identified and addressed. The well-being of both mother and child is at
risk when care is delayed or neglected altogether. Late prenatal care is related to low birth weight babies,
pre-term deliveries, and an increase in infant mortality. Not only does early prenatal care improve the health
of the mother and baby, but it has been shown to be cost effective in terms of health care. The Great Rivers
Region average for mothers receiving first trimester prenatal care was approximately 72%, with Houston
County being highest at 86.4%, and Vernon County having the lowest at 54.3%.

Prenatal care often includes identifying possible fetal problems and arranging modified prenatal care
observation to best manage the outcome. Women who receive early prenatal care, preferably within the first
trimester, are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy, delivery, and recovery overall. Prenatal care also

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