Births to single mothers double over last 15 years

THE percentage of children born to single mothers has doubled in the past 15 years, an ESRI report will reveal today.

The average age of a single mother, now 26, is also on the rise.

Mothers are also increasingly giving birth by Caesarean section it accounts for one-in-four births.

A baby dies at birth or in the first week of life in approximately seven out of every 1,000 births a rate which places Ireland among the highest in the European Union, but behind Britain where the rate was 8.3 per 1,000 births in 2002.

The Economic and Social Research Institute's birth report finds:

Delivery by C-section accounted for 22.4% of all births in 2002.

Births by C-section increased nationally by 72% between 1993 and 2002 and by more than 2% between 2001 and 2002.

Single mothers account for around 30% of all births. In 1991, they only accounted for 15% of births. The average age of a single mother has increased from 23 in 1993 to 26 in 2002.

The average age for all new mothers is 30.

41.1% of mothers were breastfeeding in 2002, compared to 33.9% in 1993.

Some experts believe the rise in C-sections reflects the increased industrialisation of birth, while others believe it reflects women's demands and the litigious climate that obstetricians now work in.

The master of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Dr Michael Geary, said around one-in-four babies were delivered by C-section and that rate appeared to have plateaued since 2000.

The hospital averages almost 20 births per day and 7,000 deliveries per year.

Dr Geary said the increase in the number of first time mothers was pushing up the rate of C-section deliveries, a number of whom would need, or opt for, a section for subsequent deliveries.

He said some women asked for a section having researched the issue.

National breastfeeding co-ordinator Maureen Fallon said the Department of Health urges all mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies up to six months of age and, if possible, to continue breastfeeding until their child is two years old. However, the current rate of breastfeeding mothers was around 43%.