Birth rates are continuing a downward trend nationwide.
A government report finds the number of U.S. births fell by 2% last year compared to 2022.
Dr. Patrice Harold is the Chief of OB/GYN at Detroit Sinai Grace Hospital. She says the costs of raising kids can be an issue for a lot of families.
“Obviously, a lot of social and economic concerns [are at play] too,” Harold said. “The cost of child care, the cost of college. I know people who do have access and need it, they’re looking at that too. They know if having more than one child in college can be very compromising to your daily budget.”
Harold stresses prenatal care is important for woman because maternal mortality is still too high in the U.S.
