As the longest actively practicing board-certified OB-GYN on Guam, with more than 30 years of practice and over 12,000 babies delivered, I have witnessed a significant change in our island’s birth rate.
There was a time when Guam was delivering more than 300 babies a month. Today, we are seeing closer to 160–170. From what I have observed in my practice, several factors may be contributing: younger generations moving off island, couples choosing to have fewer children, more women delaying pregnancy while pursuing their careers and later facing fertility challenges, and the increasing cost of raising a family during difficult economic times.
Perhaps this has been a blessing in disguise for our OB-GYN workforce. With about 9.5 healthcare providers currently delivering babies on Guam, the decrease in births has helped balance the number of patients with the providers available to care for them.
What does this birth rate decline mean for Guam overall?
The effects extend far beyond the delivery room. We are already seeing declining enrollment in our schools. Fewer babies today eventually mean fewer students entering our classrooms, and years from now, fewer locally raised young adults entering Guam’s workforce and contributing to our community and economy.
There is no magical solution. These demographic changes have developed over many years and deserve serious discussion about how we make Guam a place where young people can afford to stay, build careers, raise families, and see a future for themselves and their children.
As for me, I remain very busy. I have delivered more than 60 babies in just the past six weeks, with many more expected in the months ahead. But my goal has never been volume. I built my practice around quality of care, and that will remain my focus for the women, babies, and families of Guam.
