Bye-Bye, Baby!

From the AMA: 4% drop in U.S. birth rate is largest in 3 decades.

Birth rates nationwide declined by 4% on average between 2007 and 2009, reaching 66.7 births per 1,000 women age 15 to 44, according to a federal report. This is the biggest decrease in more than 30 years.

The relatively sharp decline in birth rates in some states is deeply affecting hospitals and ob-gyns. In Arizona, for instance, the rate declined by 12%, the largest decrease of any state.

That drop was steep enough to force John C. Lincoln Health Network to close its North Mountain Hospital's birthing center in Phoenix in February, according to the health network.