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A Vanilla Pregnancy
What Is Just an Average Pregnancy?
By Shannon McKelden
Then there are the averages in terms of final outcome. How much does the average baby weigh? "The average birth weight varies depending on ethnic groups, genetics, nutrition and the presence of factors such as diabetes, but an average birth weight would be 6.5 to 7.5 pounds," Dr. Pearsall says.
Twins (naturally occurring) come at an average of one in 69 pregnancies. Averages of multiple births overall have increased over the last few decades, according to Dr. Pearsall. "There has been a large increase in the number of twins, triplets and greater multiple pregnancies in the past 25 years due to ART (assisted reproductive technology – 'test tube babies')," he says. In 1980, the rate of triplets was 37 per 100,000 deliveries. By 2002 that rate increased to 184 per 100,000.
Slightly more girls are born than boys, with an average of 50.4 percent girls versus 49.6 percent boys. All the moms interviewed for this article had exclusively girls, maybe proving that average to be pretty accurate.
As for the average time spent in the hospital after delivery, Dr. Pearsall says that many women are discharged in 48 hours for a vaginal delivery and 72 to 96 hours for a Cesarean section. Again, though, there are some variations depending on the area of the country and insurance provider.
Remember, producing a healthy baby doesn't mean you need to fit within the averages quoted. What may seem to be above or below average can still be considered normal. Every mom is different and unique, as is every child.
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