Pregnancy statistics: Birth, miscarriage, and postpartum depression data

In this article:

• Pregnancy statistics in the U.S.
• Miscarriage statistics
• Postpartum depression statistics
• Trends in maternal health
• Support for pregnancy loss or postpartum depression
• Expert takeaway
• FAQs

In this article

• Pregnancy statistics in the U.S.
• Miscarriage statistics
• Postpartum depression statistics
• Trends in maternal health
• Support for pregnancy loss or postpartum depression
• Expert takeaway
• FAQs

Pregnancy can bring many physical and emotional changes, along with questions about what to expect. Understanding pregnancy statistics can provide helpful context around birth trends, miscarriage, pregnancy complications, and postpartum depression. Here’s what current data shows about pregnancy and maternal health in the U.S. 

Pregnancy statistics in the U.S. 

• In the U.S. in 2020, an estimated 5.3 million pregnancies occurred. This is the most recent year with available pregnancy data. About 67% of pregnancies resulted in live births. (Guttmacher, 2025)
• According to provisional data, approximately 3.6 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2025. (National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), 2026)
• In the U.S., the average age of a first-time mother was 27.5 years in 2023. (CDC, 2025)
• Medicaid was the primary source of payment for 40.2% of U.S. births in 2024. (National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 2025)

Fertility rate

• In 2025, the U.S. fertility rate was 53.1 births per 1,000 females ages 15–44. (NVSS, 2026)
• The U.S. fertility rate has declined by 23% since 2007. (NVSS, 2026)
• According to 2024 data, Vermont had the lowest fertility rate, at 41.7 births per 1,000 women ages 15–44, while South Dakota had the highest, at 66.7. (NCHS, 2026)

Birth outcomes and complications

• Nearly 1 in 3 babies was born via cesarean delivery in the U.S. in 2025. (NVSS, 2026)
• About 10% of babies were born preterm, or before 37 weeks of pregnancy, in the U.S. in 2025. The preterm birth rate has remained essentially unchanged since 2022. (NVSS, 2026)
• About 21,000 babies are stillborn each year in the U.S. (CDC, 2025)
• The U.S. maternal mortality rate reached 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021 before declining to 18.6 in 2023. (March of Dimes, 2025)
• Maternal complications cause 5.7% of infant deaths in the U.S. (March of Dimes, 2025)

Miscarriage statistics 

A miscarriage happens when a pregnancy unintentionally ends before the 20th week of gestation. Pregnancy loss can have a significant emotional impact, and many people experience grief after a miscarriage. 

How common is miscarriage?

• About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. (March of Dimes, 2024)
• The actual miscarriage rate may be higher than 20% because many early losses happen before a person knows they’re pregnant. (Merck Manual, 2026)
• Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (before the 13th week of gestation). (March of Dimes, 2024)
• About 80% of miscarriages occur in the first trimester, before the 13th week of pregnancy. (March of Dimes, 2024)
• The risk of pregnancy loss increased by about 1% per year between 2000 and 2018. (Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 2025)
• Stillbirth is less common than miscarriage, affecting about 1 in 175 pregnancies in the U.S. (American Psychological Association, 2024)

Miscarriage rates by age

The risk of miscarriage increases with age, especially after age 35. 

A 2019 study published in the British Medical Journal reported the following miscarriage rates by maternal age: 

The risk of aneuploidy (an abnormal number of chromosomes in an embryo) also increases with maternal age, which may explain why miscarriages are more common in older women.

Common causes and risk factors of miscarriage

• About half of early miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the developing embryo. 
• Certain infections, such as toxoplasmosis, increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Hormonal conditions and problems affecting the uterus or cervix may contribute to miscarriage.
• Certain chronic health conditions, including poorly controlled diabetes and thyroid disease, may increase miscarriage risk.
• Some medications, including isotretinoin, increase the risk of pregnancy loss.
• Smoking, alcohol use, recreational drug use, and severe malnutrition also increase miscarriage risk.

Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2022 

Recurrent miscarriage statistics

Recurrent miscarriage, or recurrent pregnancy loss, is defined by the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies. 

• About 2% of pregnant women experience recurrent miscarriage. (March of Dimes, 2024)
• A history of recurrent miscarriage is associated with a higher risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies, including preterm birth and some adverse pregnancy outcomes. (The Lancet, 2018)
• Experiencing recurrent miscarriage significantly increases the mother’s distress and her risk of mental health conditions. (BMC Women’s Health, 2025)

Mental health effects after miscarriage

A 2018 study published in BMC Women’s Health found that women often felt lonely and isolated after miscarriage. Particularly when others were uncomfortable discussing the loss. Participants also described receiving less support when a miscarriage occurred before they had shared news of the pregnancy with friends and family. 

• Within six weeks after miscarriage, 32.5% of women experience anxiety, 30.1% experience depression, and 33.6% experience stress. (Journal of Global Health, 2025)
• In the 2018 study, partners were the main source of support for most participants. (BMC Women’s Health, 2018)
• Researchers believe men and women grieve differently after miscarriage. (BMC Women’s Health, 2018)

Postpartum depression statistics

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that develops after childbirth. It can feel like extreme loneliness, sadness, anxiety, or mood swings. Some people with PPD no longer feel joy in their usual hobbies or habits, and some lack interest in their baby. 

“Depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy are the single most common complications of the perinatal period,” says M. Camille Hoffman, MD, MSc, a professor of maternal fetal medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 

Although PPD affects up to 1 in 5 women who have recently given birth, Dr. Hoffman says only about half receive a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment. Without treatment, PPD can linger for up to three years. With treatment, relief is possible in a matter of weeks.

“With conventional treatments such as psychotherapy or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), perinatal women may feel better in two to four weeks. With zuranolone [Zurzuvae], the only medication specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PPD, women might feel better in two days to two weeks.” 

• PPD most commonly develops around six weeks after birth, but symptoms can begin within the first few weeks or develop up to one year after delivery. (Cleveland Clinic, 2026)
• PPD isn’t the same as the “baby blues,” which are mild and short-lived bouts of anxiety and crying that typically go away two weeks after birth. (Cleveland Clinic, 2026)
• About 1 in 1,000 people experience postpartum psychosis, a rare and severe postpartum mental health condition that can cause confusion, agitation, delusions, or hallucinations. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency. (Cleveland Clinic, 2026)
• PPD also affects about 10% of fathers, with rates highest about three to six months after birth. Symptoms may include irritability, indecisiveness, and restricted emotions. (Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 2019)

Risk factors for postpartum depression

PPD is never your fault, but it helps to know if you may be at an increased risk for this disorder so you can plan for screening and treatment.

A 2022 literature review published in Cureus describes the following PPD risk factors:

• Genetics
• Prior history of depression
• Lack of support from partner
• Higher levels of acculturation (adopting new cultural practices after immigration)
• Substance abuse
• Abusive relationship
• Diabetes
• Multiple births
• Negative birth experiences
• Preterm delivery
• Delivering a baby with low birth weight

Pre-pregnancy obesity and poor body image may also increase the risk of PPD, but some studies have found little to no connection. 

Postpartum depression demographics

• In a large Southern California study, PPD was more frequently diagnosed among older mothers, particularly those ages 35 and older. (JAMA Open Network, 2024)
• In 2021, PPD diagnosis rates were highest among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White participants, at about 22% in both groups. (JAMA Open Network, 2024)
• Among the groups studied, diagnosis rates were lowest among Asian/Pacific Islander participants. (JAMA Open Network, 2024)
• Diagnosis rates increased across all racial and ethnic groups studied between 2010 and 2021. (JAMA Open Network, 2024)
• Mental health conditions were linked to 36% of pregnancy-related deaths in non-Hispanic White mothers, 16% in Hispanic mothers, and 9% in non-Hispanic Black mothers. (The Commonwealth Fund, 2025) 

Maternal mental health treatment gaps

PPD is highly treatable, but many people do not receive care. A 2024 literature review published in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health describes PPD as “the most underdiagnosed pregnancy-related health problem in the U.S.” 

The review identified several barriers to PPD diagnosis and treatment, including:

• Stigma or the feeling that asking for help is a sign of weakness 
• Not knowing where or how to access treatment
• Concerns about antidepressant use, including side effects and breastfeeding 
• Time constraints
• Lack of empathy and support from friends and family
• Disinterested or patronizing healthcare providers
• Language barriers
• Long wait lists
• Lack of follow-up after delivery
• Difficulty finding transportation or childcare

Insurance coverage can also be an issue. Although low-income pregnant women often qualify for Medicaid, March of Dimes reports that only 11 states require PPD screening and reimbursement for women insured by Medicaid. 

In Arkansas, Medicaid coverage ends 60 days after delivery, which reduces PPD screening time and treatment coverage. All other states have extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year after delivery. 

Read more: The prevalence of postpartum depression

Trends in maternal health 

“Rates of obesity and hypertensive disease are on the rise among pregnant patients, and we’re seeing increasing rates of high blood pressure in patients at younger ages as well,” says Kelly Nagy, MD, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with Kettering Health Network in Dayton, Ohio. 

Dr. Nagy adds that improving health and fitness before pregnancy may help reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Researchers have identified other factors associated with maternal health complications and mortality:

• The older a pregnant woman is, the more likely she is to be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). (NCHS, 2023)
• White, non-Hispanic pregnant women are least likely to be admitted to an ICU, while American Indian and Alaska Natives are most likely. (NCHS, 2023)
• Women delivering their sixth live baby are about two times more likely to be admitted to an ICU compared to women delivering their first live baby. (NCHS, 2023)
• Delivering triplets (or higher) increases a woman’s risk of being admitted to an ICU by about sixfold. (NCHS, 2023)
• Women across the Southeast and Southwest tend to get less-than-adequate prenatal care. (March of Dimes, 2025)
• Mothers experience severe short- or long-term health issues from labor and delivery at a rate of 93.1 per 10,000 hospital deliveries. (March of Dimes, 2025)
• Mothers in rural areas are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than mothers in urban areas. (The Commonwealth Fund, 2025)
• States with higher maternal mortality rates also tend to have higher infant mortality rates. (The Commonwealth Fund, 2025)
• Suicide accounts for about 20% of postpartum deaths. (Current Psychiatry Reports, 2022)

Support for pregnancy loss or postpartum depression 

Support is available for pregnancy loss or postpartum depression. If you’re not sure where to start, try calling the Postpartum Support International helpline at 1-800-944-4773. Or talk to a healthcare provider. Other sources of support may include:

• Joining an online support group
• Finding a telehealth provider for convenient appointments
• Asking friends and family for help with everyday tasks while you recover

PPD is treatable, and treatment may include therapy, medication, support groups, or a combination of approaches. Some people may feel hesitant about taking medication, especially while breastfeeding, but needing treatment is not a sign of weakness. Certain antidepressants may be considered during breastfeeding, depending on the medication and individual circumstances. Antidepressants can help relieve symptoms, making it easier to use coping strategies and care for yourself and your baby. 

Insurance coverage for PPD medications varies by plan, and a SingleCare prescription discount card may help lower the cash price. 

Expert takeaway 

“Postpartum depression is significant and important. If a mother cannot care for herself, how can she care for her newborn?” says Leslie Greenberg, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, and member of the SingleCare Medical Review Board.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of pregnancies end in miscarriage?

About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.

What age has the highest miscarriage risk?

Women aged 45 and older have the highest miscarriage risk.

How common is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression affects up to 20% of people who have recently given birth and up to 10% of non-birthing partners.

What are the leading causes of miscarriage?

Chromosomal abnormalities in the developing embryo cause about half of miscarriages in the first trimester.