PerinatalNB Releases Fourth Perinatal Health Profile Report

(MONCTON) – The New Brunswick Perinatal Health Program (PerinatalNB) has published its fourth report, Perinatal Health Profile 2018-2023, presenting a comprehensive collection of critical data from the past five years on maternal and newborn health across the province.

“We are delighted to present our Perinatal Health Profile, highlighting trends, progress, and areas for improvement in helping stakeholders and decision-makers understand the diverse landscape of maternal and neonatal care throughout the province,” said Gaetane LeBlanc-Cormier, PerinatalNB’s administrative director. “We firmly believe that data plays a pivotal role in reaching our vision of achieving optimal health outcomes for pregnant individuals, babies, and their families.”

Highlights of the report include:

In the past five years, the number of births in New Brunswick has stabilized in the 6,100-6,200 range yearly, a change from the previously observed ongoing decline. Over time, there has been a decrease in births to individuals under 30 years of age and an increase in births to those over 30 years of age.

The rate of pre-existing diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) has been rising over the past five years and has leveled off at 1.3 per cent. Gestational diabetes has steadily increased, reaching 10 per cent in 2022-2023.

Pre-existing high blood pressure has almost doubled amongst pregnant individuals, going from 1.2 per cent in 2018-2019 to 2.2 per cent in 2022-2023.

With the rates of smoking during pregnancy decreasing, work is being done to accurately capture statistics of vaping during pregnancy as there is a trend in the general population from smoking to vaping.

Cannabis use during pregnancy has been on the rise since it was legalized. Across Canada, research is being done to determine the effects of cannabis use on the fetus, as well as long-term effects on the child’s development.

Over half of pregnant people in New Brunswick are overweight or obese.

The report is available in its entirety, as well as an accompanying infographic, at PerinatalNB.ca.

“At PerinatalNB, we are committed to providing high-quality data to facilitate informed health care decisions,” said Dr. Ariadna Grigoriu, Medical Director for PerinatalNB. “Our collaborative efforts extend both provincially and nationally, ensuring the provision of the highest standards of up-to-date care for our New Brunswick families.”

PerinatalNB is a formal partnership of Horizon Health Network, Vitalité Health Network, and the provincial Department of Health. The NB Perinatal Health Program strives for optimal perinatal health outcomes across the continuum of care for expectant individuals and babies in New Brunswick. PerinatalNB was established in 2014 to address New Brunswick’s need for a centralized and coordinated approach to promoting better perinatal health.

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