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Childbirth Connection, (formerly Maternity Center Association), is a national not-for-profit organization that uses research, education and advocacy to improve maternity care for all women and their families.  Founded in 1918 by a small group of concerned individuals and community leaders that succeeded in reducing maternal and infant deaths in New York City, Childbirth Connection is a recognized leader in maternity care quality improvement.

Throughout our history, we have provided national leadership in identifying, demonstrating and fostering innovative ways to improve maternity care. These innovations include: establishing early standards for prenatal care and education; fostering the development of childbirth education in the United States; developing and distributing pioneering educational resources for prenatal, childbirth and parent education; and establishing the country’s first nurse-midwifery education program and first urban out-of-hospital birth center providing woman- and family-centered maternity care.

During the 1990’s, we closed our pioneering birth center and reaffirmed our historical commitment to improving maternity care in the U.S. by launching a new long-term national program to promote safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care.

In 2005, we took an in-depth look at our mission, vision and beliefs and decided we needed a new name and look to communicate our contemporary focus. After undertaking an exciting rebranding process, we are pleased to announce our new name, Childbirth Connection, and tagline, "Helping women and health professionals make informed maternity care decisions." Our mission remains the same: to promote safe, effective and satisfying care for all women and their families through research, education and advocacy. We welcome you to our new site and hope you find it useful and easy to navigate. Feel free to use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of each page to ask questions or give feedback.



Most recent page update: 3/10/2006


© 2013 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 and value of maternity care through consumer engagement and health system transformation. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families.
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Listening to MothersSM III is the third national survey exploring women’s experiences in pregnancy and childbirth. Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, conducted by Harris Interactive, and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the survey polled 2,400 women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals from 2011 to 2012. Results show that medically intensive experiences are typical, and evidence-based practices are underutilized. Childbearing women need better support and knowledge to navigate their maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials

New Report: Maternity Care and Liability
Go to report and supporting materials

New Report: The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States
Go to report and supporting materials

New Cesarean Resources:
Go to Best Evidence Report
Go to web pages and booklet for women

 
For 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families. Learn more about our rich history through our interactive timeline and give $95 for 95 in honor of our 95th birthday.
 
Childbirth Connection works to ensure that all women and babies get the best possible maternity care. We have the collective vision and we know how to get there, but we can't do it alone. Join the transformation today.

 
The Transforming Maternity Care website focuses on maternity care system improvements designed to engage diverse stakeholders in quality improvement efforts. The site offers full access to the landmark reports 2020 Vision and Blueprint for Action, features a Blog, and other resources such as an Action Center, a database of quality improvement projects, an interactive data center, and many more tools for advocates and stakeholders.

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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.