Births in the United States, 2018

Key findingsData from the National Vital Statistics System\u2022 The U.S. general fertility rate (births per 1,000 women aged 15\u201344) declined 2% between 2017 and 2018; fertility rates declined for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic women.\u2022 The teen birth rate declined 7% from 2017 to 2018 to 17.4 births per 1,000 females aged 15\u201319. Rates fell for each race and Hispanic-origin group.\u2022 The percentage of vaginal births after previous cesarean (VBAC) rose to 13.3% in 2018 with increases in VBAC deliveries for the three race and Hispanic-origin groups.\u2022 Percentages of births delivered preterm and early term increased from 2017 to 2018, whereas full-term and late- and post-term deliveries declined. These patterns were consistent across race and Hispanic-origin groups.This report presents selected highlights from 2018 final birth data on key demographic, health care utilization, and infant health indicators. General fertility rates (the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15\u201344) and teen birth rates are presented. Also shown are the distribution of births with a previous cesarean delivery (vaginal births after previous cesarean [VBAC] and repeat cesarean delivery) and the distribution of births by gestational age. All indicators are compared between 2017 and 2018 and are presented for the three largest race and Hispanic-origin groups: non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic.Suggested citation: Curtin SC, Arias E. Mortality trends by race and ethnicity among adults aged 25 and over, 2000\u20132017. NCHS Data Brief, no 342. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019.Key findingsData from the National Vital Statistics System\u2022 The U.S. general fertility rate (births per 1,000 women aged 15\u201344) declined 2% between 2017 and 2018; fertility rates declined for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic women.\u2022 The teen birth rate declined 7% from 2017 to 2018 to 17.4 births per 1,000 females aged 15\u201319. Rates fell for each race and Hispanic-origin group.\u2022 The percentage of vaginal births after previous cesarean (VBAC) rose to 13.3% in 2018 with increases in VBAC deliveries for the three race and Hispanic-origin groups.\u2022 Percentages of births delivered preterm and early term increased from 2017 to 2018, whereas full-term and late- and post-term deliveries declined. These patterns were consistent across race and Hispanic-origin groups.This report presents selected highlights from 2018 final birth data on key demographic, health care utilization, and infant health indicators. General fertility rates (the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15\u201344) and teen birth rates are presented. Also shown are the distribution of births with a previous cesarean delivery (vaginal births after previous cesarean [VBAC] and repeat cesarean delivery) and the distribution of births by gestational age. All indicators are compared between 2017 and 2018 and are presented for the three largest race and Hispanic-origin groups: non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic.Suggested citation: Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJK. Births in the United States, 2018. NCHS Data Brief, no 346. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2019.CS308148db342-h.pdf2019651