In France, the birth rate continues to decline and the age of the mother at childbirth continues to increase, according to a report from Public Health France.
- Mothers living in Guyana are in a generally precarious situation. A third of births are not covered by health insurance.
- France is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of maternal smoking in Europe. In 2016, 16.2% of French women smoked in the third trimester of pregnancy.
For the first time, Public Health France has unveiled an overall description of the state of perinatal health in France. In his report published on September 20, there is a set of indicators aimed at describing the state of health of the pregnant woman, the fetus and the infant during the period from pregnancy to postpartum. For its analysis, the health authority examined data from regional and national registers ranging from 2010 to 2019. According to the results, the evolution of certain indicators underlines “a worrying situation in perinatal health globally” in the country.
Perinatal health: neonatal mortality is on the rise
Public Health France is particularly concerned about an increase in infant deaths less than 27 days after birth, “which needs to be better understood in order to reverse the trend in the coming years.” In metropolitan France, the neonatal mortality rate fell from 1.6 to 2 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2010 and 2019.
The report also indicates that the birth rate continues to fall in all French regions, except in Guyana. Also, women are having babies later and later. According to the data, the average maternal age at childbirth was 30.3 years in 2019, compared to 29.3 years in 2010.
An increase in diseases present during pregnancy
Certain maternal pathologies during pregnancy and postpartum are on the rise, according to the figures. These conditions include hypertensive disorders (4.5% in 2010 to 5% in 2019) and gestational diabetes (6.7% in 2010 to 13.6% in 2019). “This increase is partly explained by changes in screening methods and also by the increase in the prevalence of risk factors such as obesity or higher maternal age”can we read in the report.
Childbirth: a drop in episiotomies
The health authority reveals that certain medical practices carried out during childbirth are decreasing. This is the case of episiotomy, namely an incision of the perineum. Its frequency fell from 29.5% in 2010 to 10% in 2019. As for the cesarean rate, it remained stable (around 20%).
“For the first time, these results provide a global vision of perinatal health in France. The indicators published today describe a worrying and heterogeneous situation of perinatal health and this over a period prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The update every two years will make it possible to monitor the evolution of these indicators and to guide public policies”, said Pr Geneviève Chêne, Director General of Public Health France
