Fewer pregnant women smoke

The incidence of smoking among pregnant women dropped by five per cent last year over the previous year, with three per cent of expectant mothers smoking one to three cigarettes or more daily, according to the National Obstetrics Information System's annual report.

The report, compiled by Lina Janulova, shows that 3,873 deliveries took place in 2002, resulting in 3,927 births, a decrease of 45 and 28 respectively over the previous year.

The youngest mothers last year were 14 and the oldest 47.

The greatest number of deliveries (40 per cent) occurred in the 25-29 age group while the lowest number occurred in the over-45 bracket. The average age in 2002 and 2001 was 27.94 and 28.08 respectively.

In 2002, 14 per cent (555) of the deliveries occurred to mothers who were never married while 84 per cent (3,253) occurred to mothers who were married once.

Compared with 2001, the single status rate increased by two per cent while the mothers who were married once dropped by four per cent.

According to the NOIS, of the 555 mothers who have never been married, 97 per cent received support at home to raise the infant. Compared with 2001, there was a four per cent increase in support at home. Last year, 51 per cent of mothers were first-time parents. Of these, 10 per cent recorded a past history of miscarriage.

In 2002, there were 3,821 singleton deliveries, 50 twin deliveries and two triplets. Most deliveries occurred in hospital, eight at home and four were water births.

Nearly a quarter of all births (24 per cent) last year were by emergency or elective Caesarean section while 72 per cent of births were vertex delivery.

The male and female distribution of births in 2002 was 2,076 and 1,851 respectively.

Compared with 2001, there was a one per cent drop in the number of infants who were breastfed within 30 minutes of birth last year (35 per cent).