Why Is This Important?

Women who receive early and consistent prenatal care (PNC) increase their likelihood of giving birth to a healthy child. Health care providers recommend that women begin prenatal care in the first trimester of their pregnancy.

Definition

Number of live births to pregnant women who received prenatal care in the first trimester as a percentage of the total number of live births.

Data Sources

• Birth Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health
  (https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/)
• Natality public-use data, CDC WONDER On-line Database, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (https://wonder.cdc.gov/natality.html)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

The percentage of mothers receiving first trimester prenatal care (PNC) had been about 75% for over a decade before increasing slightly between 2007 and 2014 to 79%. Changes in data collection methods in 2014-2015 and again in 2022 resulted in sharp declines such that the rate as of 2022 stands at 72.5%. There is a significant difference in onset of PNC by race/ethnicity with about 80% of White and Asian mothers receiving early PNC compared to about 60% of Black and Hispanic mothers.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

New Jersey's first trimester prenatal care rate is slightly lower than the national rate.

What Is Being Done?

The [http://nj.gov/health/fhs/ Division of Family Health Services] in the New Jersey Department of Health administers programs to enhance the health, safety and well-being of families and communities in New Jersey. Several programs are aimed at improving birth outcomes. The [https://nj.gov/governor/admin/fl/nurturenj.shtml Nurture NJ] campaign focuses on improving collaboration and programming between all departments, agencies, and stakeholders to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable place in the nation to give birth and raise a baby.