|
|
|
|
|
|
 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. Founded in 1918, Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of maternity care. We promote safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care for all women and families. Learn more About Us and our Programs.  Childbirth Connection Issues Statement on Maternity Care Priorities in Health Care ReformChildbirth Connection has released its statement outlining health care reform strategies for creating a high quality, high value maternity care system (12/2008). This four-page document describes the childbearing population and the prominent position of maternity care in the U.S. health care system, summarizes current deficiencies, and identifies nine areas where strategic policy attention would improve the quality and outcomes of maternity care for women and newborns and would ensure better value for those who pay for maternity care.Read the statement about maternity care priorities in health care reform  Applicants Invited for Inaugural Maternity Quality Matters AwardAt its 90th anniversary symposium, Childbirth Connection will present the first Maternity Quality Matters Award to an organization or agency that demonstrates improved maternity care quality through strategies such as performance measurement, evidence-based practice and responsiveness to needs of childbearing women and families. Application deadline is January 16, 2009.Learn more about the award, and get the application Evidence-Based Maternity Care Report (2008) Released A new report finds that the U.S. maternity care system falls short, and has even been losing ground, on many quality indicators. Widespread problems include "overuse" -- delivering costly unneeded care with harmful side effects -- and "underuse" -- not providing beneficial, safer care. The good news: many rigorous systematic reviews of research point the way to higher quality care, better outcomes, and good value. The 113-page report was a collaboration among Childbirth Connection, The Reforming States Group, and the Milbank Memorial Fund.Learn more about Evidence-Based Maternity Care, and read the report Read the USA Today article Read companion USA Today article Read the Consumer Reports story Take the Consumer Reports quiz Maternity Quality Matters Web Section Now Available
Childbirth Connection's newest initiative, Maternity Quality Matters, improves maternity care by shaping policy. This new web section discusses why maternity quality matters and details several major projects: a new Evidence-Based Maternity Care report (see above); Childbirth Connection's 90th Anniversary Symposium, Transforming Maternity Care, which is leading to a Blueprint for Action; and the National Quality Forum's perinatal care performance measure project (Childbirth Connection is an active partner).
Learn why maternity quality matters, what quality improvement efforts are under way New Mothers Speak Out Report (2008) ReleasedThe newest report in Childbirth Connection's Listening to Mothers series is an eye-opening look at experiences of women with children under 18 months in the United States. Learn about physical and mental health challenges of new mothers; their breastfeeding experiences and the well-being of their babies; their relationships with husbands, partners and others; and their experience of transitioning to employment or staying home with their children. Results are based on national surveys conducted by Harris Interactive.Learn more about New Mothers Speak Out, read the report and related documents Listening to Mothers II Report Now Available at No ChargeWith the release of the New Mothers Speak Out report, Childbirth Connection is making the Listening to Mothers II report freely available. This groundbreaking 2006 report from a national survey of women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals in 2005 provides a new level of understanding of many aspects of the childbearing experience in the United States, from before pregnancy into the early postpartum period.Learn more about Listening to Mothers II, read the report and related documents Join Our Maternity Quality Matters Campaign! Our Maternity Quality Matters Campaign focuses national attention on the need to set higher standards for maternity care quality on behalf of all mothers, babies and families. Join our efforts to make quality maternity care a top priority for policymakers, public and private purchasers, health care providers, and women themselves. Learn more about our campaign, and please consider a donation to help support it!About the campaign Give generously today View list of supporters Popular Resources from Childbirth Connection© 2009 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. |
|
