Many seem to take for granted the fact that we can procreate and continue living as we do. But the European Perinatal Health Report issued this week shows that we may, perhaps, be taking things for granted.

Malta normally performs well in such performance-related reports but this year makes for worrying reading. The first issue that crops up is that while most women begin antenatal care in the first trimester, care begins in the second or third trimester for 33% of women in Malta.

It is difficult to believe these figures, as most couples who have gone through pregnancy, always tend to tell friends and loved ones of their new addition and what it all involves – at  least if personal relationships are anything to go by. But if the report is accurate, then we do have to question our approach towards pregnancy and motherhood, at least from a medical perspective.

Another issue which jumped out of the report was the low rates of breast feeding. Throughout history, it has always been assumed that the breast milk of a healthy mother is far better for a child. But there were some odd years where scientists thought they knew better than nature and urged women to use formula. Now, the issue has been flipped again, and the largest support is for ‘breast is best’. Malta has, at least in the past couple of decades, really tried to push the idea, but it seems that something is just not quite working. We need to work harder and put the information out there. Nature is no mug, breast milk is there for a reason.

Another worrying point which was brought to light was the fact that multiple births in Malta rose from about 13 per 1,000 in 2004 to around 18 in 2010.

It is not a scientific declaration, but it is quite safe to say that this jump was related to IVF treatment.

Last year, it was made quite obvious in parliament that the sector needed to be regulated and Embryo Protection Bill was eventually put through. While it was, and remains to be, a sensitive subject, it was clear that something needed to be done. The sector was described as “a jungle”. We believe that couples should be given all the help they can, medically, spiritually and naturally, to have children if they so desire. But regulation was definitely needed. This is not to say that the legislation cannot be changed and improved, of course. Nowadays, we can pass a law and it can be obsolete within a few months, and this – although on a tangent – needs to be kept in mind. What is good this year, will not be good for society the next year.