Impact of Marriage on Birth Outcomes: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2012-2014.

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Child Health
• Sociology of Health
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Marriage has historically been associated with improved pregnancy outcomes.
• Societal acceptance of childbearing outside marriage raises questions about the continued protective effect of marriage.
• Understanding these trends is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether the association between marriage and improved pregnancy outcomes persists in contemporary society.
• To compare birth outcomes between married and unmarried mothers.
• To identify specific outcomes influenced by marital status.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
• Analyzed data from 138,118 live singleton deliveries between 2012 and 2014.
• Employed logistic regression to compare outcomes (preterm delivery, small for gestational age infant, NICU admission, vaginal delivery, breastfeeding initiation) between married and unmarried mothers, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Married women showed a significantly lower risk of preterm delivery (AOR=.877), small for gestational age infants (AOR=.838), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (AOR=.808).
• Married women were more likely to have a vaginal delivery (AOR=1.144) and initiate breastfeeding (AOR=1.601).
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for maternal age, race, medical comorbidities, smoking status, and Medicaid receipt.

Conclusions:

• Despite societal shifts, marriage remains associated with improved birth outcomes, including reduced risks for preterm birth, SGA infants, and NICU admissions.
• Marriage is also linked to higher rates of vaginal delivery and breastfeeding initiation.
• The findings underscore the continued importance of marriage as a factor in positive pregnancy and birth outcomes.