Births in the United States, 2014

Abstract

For the first year since 2007, childbearing rose in the United States in 2014, albeit slightly. Trends differed by race and Hispanic origin, with the GFR up among non-Hispanic white and API women but down or unchanged among other groups for 2013–2014. Historical lows in teen childbearing were seen in the U.S. overall in 2014, and for each of the race and Hispanic origin groups. Following years of steady increases that totaled nearly 60% (3), the U.S. cesarean delivery rate declined for the second straight year. Cesarean delivery rates had been on the decline for several years for non-Hispanic white and API women, but 2014 marks the first year of decline in cesarean deliveries among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic women. Preterm birth rates continued to trend downward in 2014 (2), overall and among most race and Hispanic origin groups, but large differences among groups in the risk of preterm birth were observed. The forthcoming report, "Births: Final data for 2014" (4), will present more information on the topics addressed in this report and selected others.