Birth outcome indicators
The National Core Maternity Indicators associated with birth outcomes present information on measures of birth outcomes between 2004 and 2023.
Data for these indicators are presented by jurisdiction of birth, and at the national level by hospital’s size (as measured by annual number of births), hospital sector, and mother’s Indigenous status. Some indicators are presented by remoteness, disadvantage quintile and other data groupings where relevant.
Birth outcomes
Four birth outcome indicators are presented in this report. Table 3 shows the proportion for the latest year (2023) and the baseline year for each indicator, enabling comparison between these 2 points in time.
Indicator | Indicator number | Baseline year | Baseline (%) | Latest year 2023 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apgar score of less than 7 at 5 minutes for births at or after term | PI 04 | 2004 | 0.9 | 1.5 |
Babies weighing less than the third centile among births at or after 40 weeks gestation | PI 10a | 2004 | 3.4 | 2.1 |
Babies born at or after 40 weeks gestation among babies weighing less than the third centile | PI 10b | 2004 | 43.9 | 23.1 |
Third and fourth degree tears for all vaginal first births | PI 13a | 2013 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
Third and fourth degree tears for all vaginal births | PI 13b | 2013 | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| Major primary postpartum blood loss of ≥1,000 mL and <1,500 mL for all women giving birth vaginally | PI 14a | 2020 | 3.6 | 3.9 |
| Major primary postpartum blood loss of ≥1,500 mL for all women giving birth vaginally | PI 14b | 2020 | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Major primary postpartum blood loss of ≥1,000 mL and <1,500 mL for all women giving birth by caesarean section | PI 14c | 2020 | 3.7 | 4.4 |
| Major primary postpartum blood loss of ≥1,500 mL for all women giving birth by caesarean section | PI 14d | 2020 | 1.7 | 2.0 |