25 March 2011
New figures show that the number of teenagers giving birth at Epsom Hospital fell by 28 per cent last year, while the number of pregnancies in women aged 36 and over increased.
In 2009, the maternity service at the hospital cared for 67 pregnant teenagers aged 19 and under. That number fell to 52 last year.
During the same period, the number of women giving birth at Epsom Hospital who were aged 36 or over rose from 478 to 493.
Head of Midwifery for the Trust, Sally Sivas, said: "Teenage pregnancy has always been a controversial matter, but I think these figures show we are making headway in educating local young people about sex and relationships.
"By working with other local services, such as our NHS partners and local GPs, we have been able to offer young people extra support, education and advice on matters such as contraception and pregnancy. These figures are really good news and they reflect the hard work that’s gone in to educating young people in the area.
"And of course, this is good news for older women who are falling pregnant too. There could be any number of reasons why women and their partners are waiting a little longer to start families, but it is definitely one of the trends we’re seeing now.
"Advances in medical care, coupled with the fact that people are becoming increasingly health conscious and taking better care of themselves, mean that many older women are falling pregnant and having healthy babies.
"Whatever age you are, if you have any questions about starting a family, don’t be afraid to ask: make an appointment to see your GP or visit your local family planning clinic."
