More babies were male than female There were 62,739 live-born babies in 2012, 51.1% of whom were male. No change in average birthweight Babies born in 2012 had the same average birthweight as babies born between 2009 and 2011 at 3.42 kg, with male babies on average heavier than female babies. Approximately 6% of babies were born with a low birthweight. Female babies were more likely to have a low birthweight than male babies. Median gestation was 39 weeks The vast majority of babies were born at term in 2012, while 8% were born preterm. The median gestation each year between 2008 and 2012 was 39 weeks, a decrease from the median gestation of 40 weeks between 2003 and 2007. Of the babies born at term, 1.9% had a low birthweight. The highest percentage was among Asian babies and those born to older women. Most babies were exclusively or breastfed Almost 80% of babies were exclusively or fully breastfed at two weeks after birth. The highest proportion of exclusively or fully breastfed babies were among babies: born to women aged 30–39 years in the European or Other ethnic group residing in the least deprived areas residing in the West Coast DHB region.
More babies were male than female There were 62,739 live-born babies in 2012, 51.1% of whom were male. No change in average birthweight Babies born in 2012 had the same average birthweight as babies born between 2009 and 2011 at 3.42 kg, with male babies on average heavier than female babies. Approximately 6% of babies were born with a low birthweight. Female babies were more likely to have a low birthweight than male babies. Median gestation was 39 weeks The vast majority of babies were born at term in 2012, while 8% were born preterm. The median gestation each year between 2008 and 2012 was 39 weeks, a decrease from the median gestation of 40 weeks between 2003 and 2007. Of the babies born at term, 1.9% had a low birthweight. The highest percentage was among Asian babies and those born to older women. Most babies were exclusively or breastfed Almost 80% of babies were exclusively or fully breastfed at two weeks after birth. The highest proportion of exclusively or fully breastfed babies were among babies: born to women aged 30–39 years in the European or Other ethnic group residing in the least deprived areas residing in the West Coast DHB region.
report-on-maternity-2012-apr15-v2.docx