This study analyzes trends in the migration of childbirth from rural areas of SergipeState, Brazil, to the capital city, Aracaju, from 1970Aracaju, from to 1996. Data on "mother's place of residence" were obtained from mothers whose children were born in maternity hospitals in Aracaju in 1970, 1976, 1986 de 1970, 1976, 1986 e 1996