A 'normal birth' is defined as the baby being born vaginally, without the use of
forceps or a
ventouse. The average normal birth rate in Australia was 66.2% in 1999 (down from 67.0% in 1998). This rate is not very high when it is recognised that around 85% or all pregnancy and births are generally regarded as being uncomplicated. The rates of normal births will vary greatly from caregiver to caregiver, hospital to hospital, state to state and country to country. Below are the latest available figures on normal birth rates in Australian states.
At present only NSW actually publishes the individual statistics of every maternity hospital in the state. Normal birth rates can vary from hospital to hospital and range from about 90.8% to as low as 47.0%.
If you wish to look at the actual rates of normal births in every NSW hospital for 2000 you can click on the link and download Part 7. You will need Acrobat Reader to look at the PDF document.
NSW Health Department
The overall normal birth rates for all Australian states in 1998 and 1999 were: