Reproductive and Child Health

Pregnancy Rates

In 2020, there were approximately 43 pregnancies per 1,000 females of reproductive age in the Health Unit region, similar to the 45.3 pregnancies per 1,000 females of reproductive age in Ontario. Between 2012 and 2020, the pregnancy rate per 1,000 females of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) has been decreasing in the Health Unit region and Ontario. The pregnancy rate among females 20 to 24 years in the Health Unit region was 1.7 times the Ontario rate (55.6 versus 32.1 pregnancies per 1,000 females 20 to 24 years, respectively).

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Teen Pregnancy Rate

In 2020, the teenage (15 to 19 years) pregnancy rate in the Health Unit region was 16.3 pregnancies per 1,000 teenage females, more than twice the Ontario rate (7.6 pregnancies per 1,000 teenage females).

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Crude Births

In 2021, approximately seven infants were born live for every 1,000 persons in the Health Unit region, significantly lower compared to the Ontario rate (9.2 live births per 1,000 population). Between 2012 and 2021, crude birth rates have been decreasing in both the Health Unit region and Ontario.

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Preterm Births

In 2021, the rate of preterm birth was 7.2 per 100 live births in the Health Unit region, similar to the Ontario rate (8.2 preterm births per 100 live births). Between 2018 and 2021, the rate of preterm births has been decreasing in the Health Unit region, while it has been stable in Ontario.

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Size of Infant for Gestational Age

• In 2021, approximately nine infants were born small for gestational age (SGA) for every 100 live singleton births in Health Unit region, statistically similar to the Ontario rate (10 infants born SGA per 100 live singleton births). Between 2018 and 2021, the rate of SGA in the Health Unit region has been increasing, while it has been stable in Ontario.
• In 2021, approximately 12 infants were born large for gestational age (LGA) for every 100 live singleton births in the Health Unit region, similar to the Ontario rate (10 infants born LGA per 100 live singleton births). Rates has remained stable in both the Health Unit region and Ontario between 2015 and 2021.

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy

About 6.1% of pregnant individuals living in the Health Unit region reported drinking alcohol during pregnancy in 2020, more than 2.5 times the percentage for pregnant individuals in Ontario (2.3%).

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Folic Acid Supplementation

In 2020, almost two in five individuals (37.3%) in the Health Unit region reported taking folic acid before pregnancy and during pregnancy, similar to 34.0% of individuals in Ontario.

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Drug Use During Pregnancy

• In 2020, 4.2% of pregnant individuals in the Health Unit region reported using street drugs or inappropriately using prescription and non-prescription drugs during their pregnancy, significantly higher compared to Ontario (1%).
• A significantly higher percentage of pregnant individuals in the 25 to 34 years old age group within the Health Unit region (4.2%) used drugs during their pregnancy, compared to 0.9% of pregnant individuals in Ontario.

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Smoking During Pregnancy

• In 2020, 14% of pregnant individuals in the Health Unit region reported smoking, significantly higher compared to the percentage in Ontario (5.6%).
• Among pregnant individuals aged 35 years or older in the Health Unit region, 12.1% reported smoking during pregnancy, more than three times the percentage in Ontario for the same age group (3.6%).

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Mental Health During Pregnancy

• In 2020, one of every three (35.6%) pregnant individuals living in the Health Unit region reported anxiety during their pregnancy, more than double the percentage of pregnant individuals in Ontario (16%).
• Nearly one-quarter of pregnant individuals (24.2%) in the Health Unit region reported depression during their pregnancy in 2020, more than double the percentage of pregnant individuals in Ontario (10%).

Last updated: July 5, 2023

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.