Statistical Services - BC Vital Statistics Agency

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Maternal complications of pregnancy and delivery were noted in 20,630 live births in 2002. Included in these maternal complications are early or threatened labour (preterm) births, multiple births, assisted or surgical deliveries where no cause was given, and elderly primigravida (first births to women aged 35 or older). Just over half (51.7%) of all live births in 2002 involved maternal complications. Maternal complications were noted in 48.7% of live births in 1997-2001.
The percentage of live births with maternal complications of pregnancy and delivery increased with the age of mother. Teenage mothers had maternal complications in 44.6% of their births. In the age groups 20-29 and 30-39, maternal complications occurred in 47.4% and 55.3% of live births, respectively. For mothers aged 40 or older, the proportion rose to almost two thirds (63.5%).
The largest categories of maternal complications of pregnancy and delivery in 2002 were assisted or surgical deliveries where no cause was given (21.3%) and maternal abnormality of pelvic organs (14.3%). These complications combined accounted for more than a third (35.6%) of all maternal complications.

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