Data Definition and Methodology: This measure shows the percentage of births delivered in Maryland that were unintended. An unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is unwanted (occurred when no children or no more children were desired) or mistimed (occurred earlier than desired).

Data for this measure comes from the CDC's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) annual surveys, which are managed by the Maryland Department of Health's Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Maryland PRAMS 2021 and 2022 data should be interpreted with caution, as the overall response rates did not meet the CDC defined minimum threshold.

Public Health Significance: Women who have unintended pregnancies are more likely to delay prenatal care, experience violence, and have mental health problems. In addition, children of women who have unintended pregnancies are at increased risk for mental and physical health problems and they’re more likely to struggle in school.

Additional Resources:

• CDC Unintended Pregnancy
• Healthy People 2030
• MDH PRAMS