Recent figures show the birthrate in the U.S. down two percent in 2008, the first drop in a decade, and some are blaming the economic recession. Lisa Schwenk, Public Relations Manager at Pella Regional Health Center says the hospital also saw a decrease last year, but says the lower number was part of a normal trend that tends to follow record years; like the 373 babies the hospital delivered in 2007. There were 337 births at Pella Regional last year, and the hospital has already delivered 190 babies through June, theoretically putting them on pace for another record year in ‘09.