Reproductive and Child Health

Pregnancy Rates

• In 2022, there were approximately 46 pregnancies per 1,000 females of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) in the Health Unit region—significantly lower than Ontario’s rate of 51.6 per 1,000. Between 2019 and 2022, pregnancy rates declined significantly in both the Health Unit region and Ontario.
• The pregnancy rate among females aged 20 to 24 in the Health Unit region was significantly higher—more than 1.5 times Ontario’s rate, with 56.1 versus 36.5 pregnancies per 1,000 females. In contrast, the rate among females aged 35 to 39 in the Health Unit region was significantly lower—approximately 55% of Ontario’s rate, with 40.9 versus 73.8 pregnancies per 1,000 females.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Teen Pregnancy Rate

In 2022, the pregnancy rate among teenage females (aged 15 to 19) in the Health Unit region was 15.6 per 1,000—significantly higher than Ontario’s rate of 10.5 per 1,000.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Crude Births

In 2023, approximately seven infants were born live for every 1,000 persons in the Health Unit region—significantly lower than Ontario’s rate of 8.6 per 1,000. Between 2019 and 2023, crude birth rates declined significantly in both the Health Unit region and Ontario.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Preterm Births

In 2023, the preterm birth rate in the Health Unit region was 11.5 per 100 live births—significantly higher than Ontario’s rate of 8.6 per 100. In the Health Unit region, preterm birth rate declined between 2018 and 2021, followed by a significant increase from 2021 to 2023. In contrast, Ontario’s rates remained stable throughout the 2018 to 2023 period.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Size of Infant for Gestational Age

• In 2023, approximately nine infants were born small for gestational age (SGA) for every 100 live singleton births in the Health Unit region— statistically similar to Ontario’s rate of 10.6 per 100. The SGA rate in the Health Unit region increased between 2018 and 2021, decreased in 2022, and rose again in 2023. In contrast, Ontario’s rate remained stable from 2018 to 2021, followed by a significant increase between 2021 and 2023.
• In 2023, approximately 13 infants were born large for gestational age (LGA) for every 100 live singleton births in the Health Unit region—significantly higher than Ontario’s rate of 8.8 per 100. The LGA rate remained stable in both the Health Unit region and Ontario from 2018 to 2022. However, in 2023, the rate increased in the Health Unit region while decreasing significantly in Ontario.

Visit the PHO Snapshots Reproductive Health page for more detail.

Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy

In 2023, 2.6% of pregnant individuals in the Health Unit region reported drinking alcohol during pregnancy—almost 1.5 times the Ontario rate (1.8%).

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Folic Acid Supplementation

In 2023, nearly two in five individuals (38.5%) in the Health Unit region reported taking folic acid before and during pregnancy—similar to the Ontario rate (34.6%).

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Drug Use During Pregnancy

• In 2023, 6.5% of pregnant individuals in the Health Unit region reported using street drugs or inappropriately using prescription and non-prescription drugs during pregnancy—significantly higher than the Ontario rate (0.9%).
• Among pregnant individuals under the age of 24 in the Health Unit region, 15.1% reported drug use during pregnancy—significantly higher than the Ontario rate for the same age group (2.2%).

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Smoking During Pregnancy

• In 2023, 11.3% of pregnant individuals in the Health Unit region reported smoking during pregnancy—more than three times and significantly higher than the Ontario rate (3.7%).
• Among pregnant individuals aged 35 years or older in the Health Unit region, 8.5% reported smoking during pregnancy—more than three times and significantly higher than the rate for the same age group in Ontario (2.7%).

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.

Mental Health Concerns

Visit the PHO Snapshots Maternal Health page for more detail.