Birth rate falls but Mothers' ages rise

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published the latest data on births in England and Wales.  They show that there has been a small drop (0.5%) in the overall birth rate this year (although not in all regions).  There has also been a slight increase in the average age of mothers from 30 years old last year to 30.2 years this year.  This follows an overall trend as the average was 27.7 years in 1990 and 28.5 years in 2000.

The RCM view this slight decrease in birth rate as a welcome opportunity to start reducing the midwifery shortage in the UK.  RCM director for midwifery Louise Silverton said, “We remain around 2600 full-time midwives short in England. Midwives cannot deliver high quality care if there are not enough of them”.

ONS data can be viewed here

RCM report is here