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Welcome to ChildbirthConnection.org, your source for trustworthy up-to-date evidence-based information and resources on planning for pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period. 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. Learn more About Us.
Updated Graph and New Table Keep Tabs on Rates of Total Cesarean Section, Primary Cesarean, and VBACSee the latest national trends in c-section and VBAC  Download as a PDF
One in five pregnant women have previously given birth by cesarean. Our updated site can help with choosing VBAC or repeat c-sectionA growing number of pregnant women - now 1 in 5 - have previously given birth by cesarean. These women face an important choice - whether to plan a vaginal birth or a repeat c-section for their current pregnancy. Our newly updated Pregnancy Topic can help. VBAC or Repeat C-Section now incorporates the most recent government-sponsored research and national consensus recommendations released in 2010. The topic reviews the short- and longer-term benefits and harms of both planned vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and repeat c-section and gives women the tips, tools, and resources for making a choice and having a safe, healthy, and satisfying experience.Go to VBAC or Repeat C-Section Read "Reasonable Choices for Bringing Back VBAC" on the TMC Blog
Access Childbirth Connection reports, fact sheets, and publicationsOver the years, Childbirth Connection has released many important resources for women and consumers as well as healthcare professionals. Now you can find a comprehensive directory of our publications, systematic reviews, fact sheets, handouts and other resources in one convenient location. Materials include publications related to the Transforming Maternity Care Project, Listening to Mothers surveys and reports, maternity care fact sheets and information and decision tools for planning maternity care, and much more.Go to publications page
Nine percent of women may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirthUsing data from Childbirth Connection's two-stage national Listening to Mothers II survey, researchers have documented a very high rate of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among new mothers. Nine percent of mothers screened positive for meeting all the diagnostic criteria and 18 percent reported elevated levels of post-traumatic stress. Post-traumatic stress levels were more common in women with unplanned pregnancies, lack of private health insurance, low partner support, pressure from a caregiver to have an induction and epidural analgesia, planned cesarean birth, elevated postpartum depressive symptoms, more physical problems since birth, less health-promoting behaviors, not breastfeeding as long as wanted, not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 month, and consulting with a clinician about mental well-being since birth.Read the study abstract Download the Listening to Mothers II Survey Report Download New Mothers Speak Out, a report from the postpartum follow-up survey to Listening to Mothers II  U.S. Maternity Care Facts and Figures In April 2011, Childbirth Connection updated its national maternity care fact sheet with new federal data and updated its chart showing differences in childbirth charges by site and type of birth.Get the fact sheet Get the charges chart
A high-quality, high-value maternity care system is within reach, and childbearing women are the most important stakeholders to drive system change.Childbirth Connection brought together more than 100 health care leaders – from delivery systems, providers, and consumers to health plans and purchasers, liability insurers and quality experts – to develop two direction-setting reports, "2020 Vision for a High-Quality, High-Value Maternity Care System" and "Blueprint for Action." These reports were the culmination of over two years' collaborative multi-stakeholder work aimed at reversing troubling trends and achieving high-quality, high-value maternity care. Transforming Maternity Care offers full access to these reports and tracks and coordinates efforts to implement recommendations. Visit the site today to learn how you can be part of the transformation. Also be sure to visit the Transforming Maternity Care Blog. The blog highlights innovative quality improvement efforts, introduces readers to inspiring leaders, analyzes health care trends, and shares opportunities and resources. Join the conversation to transform maternity care.
 Help Transform Maternity Care! For the past 90 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the quality of maternity care for all women and their families through research, education, advocacy and policy. Join our continuing efforts to make quality maternity care a top priority for policymakers, public and private purchasers, health care providers, and women themselves. Learn more about Transforming Maternity Care, and please consider a donation to help support it! Popular Resources from Childbirth Connection© 2012 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. |
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