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Cesarean Alert Initiative
Cesarean section is on the rise in the U.S. About 1 woman in 3 now gives birth by major abdominal surgery. The increase is due to many medical, legal, social and financial factors, including "defensive medicine" and changing attitudes and values of caregivers and pregnant women. Considerable controversy exists on harms and benefits of cesarean delivery compared with vaginal birth. And, media reports and individual studies comparing different ways of giving birth tend to focus on only a small number of harms and benefits that may be of interest to women, making it difficult for them to get full and accurate information to make informed decisions. Although more research is needed to address unanswered questions, a large body of studies already exists to shed light on these questions for those who need guidance now. To address this problem, Childbirth Connection (then known as Maternity Center Association) took a look at the bigger picture and reviewed hundreds of the better studies to help women understand what is at stake in decisions about how to give birth. The findings were released at a media forum, Cesarean Section: Exposing the Myths and Reducing the Risks, in April 2004. A new consumer booklet, What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section, was also published to provide women with a summary of the research and tips for avoiding unnecessary cesareans, assisted vaginal births (helping the baby out with forceps or vacuum extraction), and pelvic floor problems. The booklet was reviewed by close to 40 individuals including physicians, midwives, nurses, childbirth educators, doulas, and advocates. Their comments helped to strengthen the contents and ensure accuracy, and helped to garner endorsement of the booklet by 24 national organizations that are helping with outreach to inform women and health professionals about the results. In addition, Childbirth Connection fills in gaps in knowledge by polling women themselves about cesarean and other important maternity issues through its national U.S. Listening to Mothers surveys. The Cesarean Alert Initiative is an excellent example of advocacy at work on behalf of childbearing women and families. Organizations and individuals who were concerned about rapidly changing belief, policy and practice without the benefit of a systematic review of the best research comparing cesarean and vaginal birth joined together to address the problem. Armed with the best research and quality resources for women and health professionals, they are raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of using the best research to guide personal decision-making, policymaking and maternity care practice. Other resources available on the Childbirth Connection website:
Most recent page update: 7/3/2008
© 2010 Childbirth Connection. All rights reserved.
Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality of maternity care through research, education, advocacy and policy. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families. |
News and Features : Health Professionals
New VBAC Guidlines
ACOG has just issued new Guidlines for VBAC. What changed? What continues? We've Moved!
On July 1, 2010, the Childbirth Connection office moved to 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016. All other contact information is unchanged. "2020 Vision" and "Blueprint for Action" Reports Available
Rising Maternal Mortality
Help Transform Maternity Care!  Please join our efforts to make quality maternity care a top national priority. Your support will help make the transformation possible. View 2010 Supporter Roster 
Updated Maternity Care Statistics Available
US Cochrane Center (USCC)/Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE)
New Mothers Speak Out National Report Released The latest report in Childbirth Connection's Listening to Mothers series is now available. Get an eye-opening look at the reality of life as a mother of young children in the United States, based on national surveys conducted by Harris Interactive. Learn more, get the report Read the Wall Street Journal story and listen to the podcast Download Quick Facts (PDF) Why does the national U.S. c-section rate keep going up? Current research points to an optimal cesarean section rate of 5% to 10%, but 1 pregnant woman in 3 is giving birth by major surgery in the United States. Why the surge and is this safe? A new page - and a PDF handout for journalists, policy makers, students and others - answer these questions. Read more about the rising cesarean section rate New Content!
March/April 2009 evidence column is now available.
Features: National Quality Forum endorses consensus perinatal performance measures; systematic reviews on induction of labor, environmental tobacco smoke and fetal health, and HPV infection and cervical neoplasia Get the column Popular Pages
 Comfort in Labor, by Penny Simkin Penny Simkin, the internationally recognized leader in childbirth education and labor support, shares her wisdom with women, including comfort measures, effective positions, and tips for partners and doulas. Download Comfort in Labor (free PDF) 
Every woman has the right to receive maternity care that is appropriate to her cultural and religious background, and to receive information in a language in which she can communicate.
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