Maternal and infant health
A healthy start in life begins with maternal health during pregnancy and the early years of child development. Experiences during pregnancy can influence health outcomes across infancy, childhood and into adulthood.
Several factors influence pregnancy, birth and early child development. These include maternal characteristics such as age and pre‑pregnancy health, access to care, exposure to substances, and broader social and economic conditions. Infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding, are also important for supporting healthy growth and development.
Learn about maternal and infant health indicators in Niagara to inform local planning and health promotion efforts.
Pregnancies and births
About 4,300 Niagara residents give birth every year.
4,611
Niagara residents gave birth in 2025
99.5%
of births in Niagara between 2021 and 2025 were live births
3.1%
of births between 2021 and 2025 were multiple births
Age at time of birth
- 66.1% of births in 2025 were to residents aged 25 to 34
- From 2021 to 2025, maternal age patterns in Niagara show a gradual shift toward older individuals, with the proportion of residents aged 30 to 39 giving birth increasing
- Teen pregnancies remain a small proportion of all births. In 2025, less than 1% of residents who gave birth were 19 years of age or less
Chart 1: Maternal age at time of birth, 2023 to 2025
Maternal age at time of birth, 2023 to 2025
Under 20 years
Down 21 births since 2023
20 to 24 years
Down 21 births since 2023
25 to 29 years
No change since 2023
30 to 34 years
Up 124 births since 2023
35 to 39 years
Up 151 births since 2023
40 years or older
Up 31 births since 2023
Figures show the number of births in Niagara by maternal age at time of birth.
Maternal characteristics
Maternal characteristics are an important indicator of pregnancy outcomes and child development. Factors such as pre-pregnancy health, chronic conditions and mental well-being influence maternal and child outcomes.
Health conditions during pregnancy
- 8.7% of pregnant individuals in Niagara experienced gestational diabetes (2021-2025)
- 5.5% of pregnant individuals were diagnosed with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (2021-2025)
Mental health
Mental health has important implications for both pregnancy and child outcomes.
- 17.7% of pregnant residents reported at least one mental health concern during pregnancy in 2025, up from 13.0% in 2021
- 10.9% of pregnant individuals reported anxiety (2021-2025)
- 6.1% of pregnant individuals reported depression (2021-2025)
Niagara’s 2025 rate is lower than the 21.8% of Ontario residents who reported at least one mental health concern during pregnancy. In addition, 1.4% of pregnant individuals in Niagara reported a history of postpartum depression (2021-2025).
Mental health concerns may be under-reported, as some conditions are self-reported or undiagnosed.
Chart 2: Percentage of pregnant residents with at least one mental health concern during pregnancy, 2021 to 2025
Percentage of pregnant residents with at least one mental health concern during pregnancy, 2021 to 2025
Up 4.7 points since 2021.
Substance use
Substance use during pregnancy, including smoking, alcohol, cannabis and other substances, can influence overall health as well as the development of the child. Substance use during pregnancy may be under-reported, as it is based on self-reported information.
Smoking
- 3.6% of Niagara residents reported smoking at least once during pregnancy in 2025, down from 6.8% in 2021
- Smoking during pregnancy remains higher in Niagara than in Ontario (2.7% in 2025)
Alcohol
- 1.6% of Niagara residents reported alcohol use during pregnancy (2021-2025)
- Alcohol use during pregnancy has remained stable and relatively low, similar to Ontario
Cannabis
- 4.8% of Niagara residents reported cannabis exposure during pregnancy (2021-2025), compared to 3.3% in Ontario
Other drugs and substances
- 0.9% of Niagara residents reported use of other drugs or substances during pregnancy (2020-2024)
Infant feeding
Pregnant individuals in Niagara consistently report an intention to exclusively breastfeed their child. Between 2021 and 2025, 80.3% reported planning to exclusively breastfeed their infant, compared to 73.3% in Ontario.
From 2021 to 2025, infant feeding patterns at discharge from hospital (or three days postpartum for home births) show a mix of feeding practices.
46.2%
of infants were exclusively fed breastmilk
41.4%
of infants were fed a combination of breastmilk and a substitute
11.8%
of infants were exclusively fed a breastmilk substitute
Data notes
Data are based on the most recent available sources and may be updated as new information becomes available. Data are subject to change without notice.
Data Source: Public Health Unit Clinical Reports, Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN), Information System, BORN Ontario (2021-2025). Information accessed on July 28, 2026.
The Better Outcomes Registry and Network (BORN) includes data from hospitals, labs, and midwifery practices on pregnancy and births across Ontario. Data includes details on pregnancy, birth and newborns among residents of Niagara, regardless of location of birth.
Last updated: August 2026