Oh Baby! The Top Motherhood, Pregnancy, and Childbirth Trends of 2018

Childbirth and motherhood are not the same as they were 100, 50, or even 10 years ago. Now, women are more empowered than ever before, with information about their bodies, their child, and their life as a mom. Trends in pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood are constantly shifting. As the labor and delivery experience changes, so too must the healthcare organizations that support them.

Let’s explore some of the recent shifts in the landscape:

Women are champions for their own birth experience

In the past 5-10 years, women have become more active participants in their labor and delivery. Wanting to be a more involved in their care, women are now able to give their opinions on how they would prefer their birthing experience to be. This patient-centered care model is becoming prevalent for hospitals and health systems.

Women are seeking personalized care with a midwife

In recent years, more moms than ever are opting for a midwife to deliver their baby, because they see it as a more personalized option, with less intervention. Additionally, midwife-friendly laws tend to coincide with better birth outcomes. (Physicians and hospitals can personalize their care in unique ways, too: find out how.)

Emma and Liam are best in show for baby names (so far)

Thus far in 2018, Emma and Liam are the most popular girl and boy names. But with baby name predictors showing trends towards the mythical, royal, and villainous, anything is possible in 2018!

Women are becoming mothers later in life

The median age at which women become mothers in the United States is 26, compared with 21 in 1970. This shift is caused by several factors, including the Great Recession, delays in marriage, a decrease in teen motherhood, and the participation of women in the labor force.

Family size is shrinking

Over the past 50 years, there has been a decline of the four-child family and rise of the two-child family, according to the Pew Research Center.

A majority of mothers are also working

Seven-in-ten moms with kids younger than 18 were in the labor force in 2014, up from 47% in 1975. Not only that, but mothers are the primary breadwinners in four-in-ten families in the United States.

Concierge Care®

Hospitals, health systems, pharmaceutical companies, and health plans can adapt to these trends and more by customizing the motherhood experience for women. Personal Concierge™ gives healthcare providers the ability to be there for mom in every step of her journey, improving outcomes and personalizing patient engagement.