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Background

Nationwide the unintended pregnancy rate is 45 per 1,000 women (aged 15 to 44). As of 2010 (the most recent data available), Delaware’s unintended pregnancy rate among all women 15 to 44 was even higher—62 per 1,000 women. In fact, Delaware had the highest unintended pregnancy rate in the country in 2010. 10

Research suggests that unintended pregnancies are associated with adverse pregnancy-related behaviors such as smoking and delayed prenatal care. 2 Births from unintended pregnancies are more likely to result in several critical challenges for babies, including low birth weight, which is associated with increased health challenges over the course of a child’s life. 3, 11