Some interesting facts released today on an increase in the number of babies born in England and Wales over the past decade. Data from the ONS (Office for National Statistics) showed there were 723,913 live births in 2011 up from 594,634 in 2001. At Liverpool Women's Hospital we deliver 8,500 babies each year on our Crown Street site, we are the largest single site provider of maternity services in the country.
One factor behind the rise is thought to be immigration. Figures show 24% of births in 2011 were to women born outside the United Kingdom. At Liverpool Women's Hospital we have our Link Clinic which is designed to support women whose first language is not English.
Twins, triplets and other multiple births also increased over the decade, partly due to fertility treatments. In 2011, 11,330 women gave birth to twins, 172 to triplets and 3 had quads or more. Fertility treatment is far more likely to result in multiple births than natural conception, check out our hewitt website for more information on our practice and the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) aims to reduce the multiple birth rate.
The figures also showed a drop in the number of babies born at home. Check out our website here for options on home and hospital deliveries. We have just invested £10 million in extending and refurbishing our maternity facilities. We have also purchased 20 portable birthing pools for home deliveries.
There were 352,939 girls and 370,974 boys born in England and Wales in 2011. This baby boom is also putting pressure on school places with some projections estimating that 450,000 new primary places would be needed in England alone by 2015.
I wonder what the next 10 years will bring.