The number of teen pregnancies in the UK is at its lowest since records began, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
A report released on 23 March, Conceptions in England and Wales: 2015, revealed there were 20,351 recorded conceptions in women under 18 in 2015, down by 10% from 22,653 the previous year.
The recorded rate for conceptions was 21 per thousand women aged 15-17, the lowest rate since the ONS began recording comparable data in 1969, a revelation welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives.
Chief executive Cathy Warwick said: ‘These are welcome falls in the conception rates among teenagers and this shows strategies to reduce teenage pregnancies are having some effect.’
Similar decreases in maternities and abortions for women under 18 were found in the ONS’ survey.
However, in 2015 the estimated number of conceptions among all women in England and Wales rose by 0.7% to 876,934 from 871,038 in 2014. The largest percentage increase in conception rates was among women over 40 (4.1%) while the largest decrease was for women under 16 (14%).
Ms Warwick continued: ‘The rise to births in older mothers is something the government must take heed of. Older mothers, particularly those into their thirties and forties, can have more complications in pregnancy, needing more support and advice form midwives and other professionals in our maternity services.’
‘Pregnancies are also becoming more complex with issues such as obesity and rising levels of diabetes in pregnant women,’ she added. ‘The government must take steps to make sure these women receive the care they need. England is 3,500 midwives short of the numbers needed and I have concerns many women are not getting the best possible care.’
She concluded by requesting the government invest more in midwives and maternity services.