Slow Economy Leading To Fewer Births, Hospitals Say

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - As the economy continues to limp along, it's having effects in seemingly unrelated areas.

Administrators at Dallas' Parkland and Presbyterian Hospitals say the birth rate is down across Dallas-Fort Worth.

At Presbyterian, the birth rate this year is down five percent from 2010.  That's on top of a seven percent decline from 2009 to 2010.

"Most of us (at the hospital) think it has a lot to do with the economy," said nurse Deb Maitre.  "People who plan tend to think this might not be the right time for them."

Parkland Hospital always leads North Texas and often leads the nation in the number of deliveries.  In 2006, the public hospital delivered 16,500 babies.  But by 2011, administrators say they could deliver 40% fewer babies than in 2006.

At Fort Worth's JPS, the public hospital for Tarrant County, the number of deliveries has dropped 12 percent this year as compared to 2010.

Administrators at Presbyterian also say they will be watching for a surge in deliveries come late autumn.

Why?

That will be nine months after the big winter storms that pounded the area in early February.