Stats Show U.S. Experienced Birth Decline in 2008 as Abortions Likely Rose

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Aug 12, 2009   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Stats Show U.S. Experienced Birth Decline in 2008 as Abortions Likely Rose

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 12
, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — New statistics show the number of births declined in 2008 as the economic downturn began to take hold. The figures lead to a grim prediction, supported by significant circumstantial evidence surfacing in the last 12-18 months, showing abortions are likely on the rise.

The National Center for Health Statistics indicates the nation saw 4,247,000 births last year, which is a 68,000 drop from the 2007 figures.

Although they both added more people during that time, California and Florida saw the largest drop in the birth rates.

Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health and epidemiology, says the nation’s economic issues are likely the cause of the lower birth numbers.

"I wasn’t surprised," Hogue told AP of the preliminary numbers.

The figures could be higher by the time they are finalized because the major portion of the drop in births occurred in the latter part of 2008. Still, the drop broke a trend that saw births increase throughout the Bush administration from 2002 until 2007, when they set a record.

The birth rate was lower in all but 10 states that were based mostly in the northwestern portion of the country.

When it comes to abortion, several reports show that the numbers for 2008 and 2009 may not be good.

AP noted Planned Parenthood’s St. Louis-area abortion centers also reported the number of abortions jumping seven percent during the last six months of 2008 compared with the same time in 2007.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois CEO Steve Trombley did not provide exact numbers but indicated his abortion centers did an all-time high number of abortions in February.

Stephanie Poggi of the National Network of Abortion Funds, a pro-abortion group that provides women with money to get abortions, but does not provide similar funds for women who decide to keep their baby, said this Springs that they are getting a higher volume of requests for funds — nearly quadruple the number from one year ago.

At a time of economic distress, pregnancy centers are likely experiencing higher numbers.
There are more than 2,300 pregnancy centers across the United States — significantly more than the number of abortion businesses. Unlike abortion facilities, these centers help pregnant women with baby and maternity resources, parenting classes, adoption, medical and educational needs, counseling, community referrals and support for women who had abortions they regret.

Care Net supports a network of more than 1,000 pregnancy centers in North America.

Together with the pregnancy center network Heartbeat International, it operates the 24-7 call center, OptionLine (800-395-HELP) that connects callers with help at local pregnancy centers.

Related web sites:
Care Net – https://www.care-net.org
Find a pregnancy center – https://www.pregnancycenters.org

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