Indicator: Prenatal Care
Early prenatal care allows women and their health care providers to identify and, when possible, treat or correct health problems and
health-compromising behaviors that can be particularly damaging during the initial stages of the baby’s development. Increasing the
percentage of women that receive prenatal care can improve birth outcomes and lower health care costs by reducing the likelihood of
complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
- Prenatal care
- Low Birth Weight Infants
- Smoking During Pregancy
- Payment Source at Birth
- Pre-Term Delivery
Why This is Important
Early prenatal care allows women and their health care providers to identify and, when possible, treat or correct health problems and health-compromising behaviors that can be particularly damaging during the initial stages of the baby’s development. Increasing the percentage of women that receive prenatal care can improve birth outcomes and lower health care costs by reducing the likelihood of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Where We Stand
In 1990, 84.2% of all women in Maine received prenatal care in their first trimester of pregnancy. For 2007, this indicator was at 87%, somewhat better than the national percentage and relatively consistent for the last 10 years. The percentage of Maine teens receiving such care was typically about 10% lower than the overall rate from 1995 to 2007.
Data Source and Context
The Maine data source for this indicator is the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics, Bureau of Health, Maine Department of Health and Human Services. National statistics come from the final births data reports put out annually by the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (online at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/prenatal.htm).
Why This is Important
Low birth-weight infants face an increased risk of physical and developmental complications and death. These babies nationally account for nearly two-thirds of all neonatal deaths and are 21 times more likely to die during the first year than are heavier infants.
Where We Stand
Maine's incidence of low birth-weight (LBW) infants is consistently less than the national percentages. For 2005, results indicate that 6.8% of all babies born in Maine were of low birth-weight, compared to 8.2% in the U.S. In 2006, 6.3% of babies born in Maine were of low birth weight. While this is lower than the previous two years, it still remains higher than the previous low of 5.9% in 1996 and 1997, and higher than the period from 1995 to 2001.
Data Source and Context
The Maine data comes from the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics, Bureau of Health, Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
U.S. data comes from the preliminary and final birth data reports published by the National Center for Health Statistics (on-line at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm). A “low birth-weight infant” is defined as a live birth weighing less than 2500 grams (5.5 pounds).
Why This is Important
Smoking during pregnancy decreases the amount of oxygen and blood delivered to a developing fetus. This, in turn, can adversely affect the development of the central nervous system. Smoking during pregnancy contributes to many other health problems, including increasing the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre mature birth, low birth weight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Where We Stand
In 2004, the percentage of Maine women who smoked during pregnancy was almost double the national average. This percentage has dropped since 2004, to 17.1% in 2006.
Data Source and Context
Maine data comes from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) at the Maine CDC and DHHS.
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Why This is Important
Women who are covered by insurance at birth may be more likely to provide early well-baby care, including check-ups and immunizations.
Where We Stand
More than half of Maine women who delivered a baby in 2006 used insurance to pay for some/all delivery costs. This was followed by Medicare (44.9%). Almost 20% of women still owe money towards delivery costs, although it is unknown what percentage owes full costs, versus partial costs. Almost 20% use personal income to cover at least some portion of delivery costs.
Data Source and Context
Maine data comes from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) at the Maine CDC and DHHS.
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Why This is Important
Carrying a baby to term is important for a baby’s health. A pre-term baby, born less than 37 weeks full gestation, is at an increased risk of having health problems, including mental and physical disabilities. Very pre term babies, those born before 34 weeks, are often born with underdeveloped organs, requiring a stay in the hospital, and are at an even higher risk for health problems.
Where We Stand
Maine consistently has a lower percentage of pre term births that the nation. However, the percentage of pre term deliveries has increased steadily in both Maine and the country. In 1996, 7.7% of all deliveries in Maine were pre term. In 2007, 9.2% were.
Data Source
Maine data comes from the Maine Vital Records data files. National data comes from the National Vital Statistics Report published by the National Center for Health Statistics: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm