Birth Rate

Jean Chatzky Discusses Right Time to Have a Baby
Pregnancy

Save For Baby or Retirement? Jean Chatzky's Answer May Surprise You

The recession may be taking a toll on the nation's birthrate, though one of today's most popular financial experts says it shouldn't be.
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The recession may be taking a toll on the nation's birthrate, though one of today's most popular financial experts says it shouldn't be. A new BabyCenter.com study recently found that 2 out of 5 moms waited to start or expand their family until they felt financially stable, but the Today Show's Jean Chatzky says baby-dreaming couples don't need to wait until they think they can afford a baby to have one. By setting up the right savings accounts as soon as a couple learns they are pregnant, choosing proper investment vehicles, and keeping an eye on their retirement plans, couples can feel more comfortable their — and their families' — futures. We spoke with Jean Chatzky about where families' should prioritize and if there is an opportune time to expand their families. See what she had to say!

Would You Consider A Homebirth For Your Baby?
Poll

Would You Consider a Homebirth For Your Baby?

It is estimated that of the 4.1 million babies born in the U.S.
by babysugar

It is estimated that of the 4.1 million babies born in the U.S. in 2004, 7,000 were born at home without a midwife or doctor. Planned unassisted home-births, similar to those advocated by Ricki Lake in her The Business of Being Born documentary, are on the rise across the country, with women wanting the ability to control the birth process and have loved ones surrounding them during the birth. Many mamas-to-be believe those aspects outweigh the risks.

Until the 20th century, childbirth was the leading cause of death for women, with approximately 1 in 100 mothers dying in the early 1900s. Today, that rate is closer to 13 in 100,000, due to better prenatal care, medications and the option of cesarean sections when necessary.

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Infertility Is a Common But Quiet Issue
infertility

When Are You Going to Have a Baby?

Chances are someone you know has dealt with infertility.
by babysugar

Chances are someone you know has dealt with infertility. It may have been you. A sensitive subject, it can be a private and heart wrenching issue for couples.

Pop culture announces a new pregnancy nearly every day and according to the LA Times, the current birth rate in America is higher than it's been in 45 years. So it seems quite natural for people to ask, "When are you going to have a baby?"

But, the reality is that the woman fielding the question might be desperately trying to get pregnant. To read a personal experience, read more

Modern Baby Boom
baby boom

Modern Baby Boom

Lots of people start noticing babies once they have one, but in the United States they are literally everywhere.
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Lots of people start noticing babies once they have one, but in the United States they are literally everywhere. Fertility here is on an upswing, or so says a USA Today article that explained it sets America apart from other industrial nations that are dealing with low birthrates. It said:

"The fertility rate hit 2.1 in 2006, according to preliminary estimates released by the National Center for Health Statistics. It's a milestone: the first time since shortly after the baby boom ended that the nation has reached the rate of births needed for a generation to replace itself, an average 2.1 per woman."

The report also says that while some countries like Asia and Europe have launched incentives like monetary bonuses, government assisted childcare and family leaves to encourage citizens to reproduce the U.S. has not. And, it states that birth rates of affluent couples have contributed considerably to the numbers.
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