This report describes the pregnancy and birth experiences and outcomes of mothers and babies in Australia over time. Data cover the antenatal period, labour and birth, and outcomes for babies at birth as well as stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths. 

Key findings 

• The birth rate in 2022 has returned to the 2020 level after a spike in 2021.
• Average maternal age is steadily increasing, from 28.9 years in 1998 to 31.2 in 2022.
• The rate of women giving birth by caesarean continued to rise, from 32% in 2010 to 39% in 2022.
• Induction of labour has increased, from 26% in 1998 to 33% in 2022.
• 78% of women who gave birth accessed antenatal care in the first trimester of their pregnancy, up  from 61% in 2013.
• 71% of First Nations mothers are accessing antenatal care in the first trimester, up from 51% in 2013.
• The majority of women (95%) do not consume alcohol during pregnancy and fewer (8.3%, down from 13%) are smoking, although these rates vary greatly by location.