New Survey on Childbirth Details Experiences, Problems with Hospital-Based Births

Childbirth Connection, a nonprofit organization that produces evidence-based information and resources on pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period, has released its third major survey on the experiences of childbearing women in hospitals across the United States. The results of Listening to Mothers III provide insights into numerous issues, including childbirth education; the use and need of government services such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); medical interventions during birth; provider choice; and health disparities. The 2,400 women who completed the online survey were 18-45 years of age, gave birth in a U.S. hospital to a surviving single baby at some point between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, and could participate in English. The research firm Harris Interactive collected the data. Among the findings, the number one factor driving a woman’s choice of maternity care provider and hospital was acceptance of her health insurance plan. Insurance compatibility ranked higher than  recommendation by a provider, friend or family member, and higher than familiarity due to a previous birth. Only about half of the women ever saw information that allowed them to compare the quality of potential providers and hospitals, but when they did have that information, 80 percent used it as a factor in their decision. Pregnant women reported difficulty communicating with their providers at times — 30 percen...
Source: Our Bodies Our Blog - Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Tags: Activism & Resources Pregnancy & Childbirth Research & Studies Source Type: blogs