Women that have given birth in the United States in the last three years now have the chance to rate, review and recommend the hospital or birth center and their care provider. Move over Yelp and Trip Advisor, say hello to The Birth Survey.
The project began in New York City in July 2007 and ran for 12 months. Real mothers were interviewed on their personal experiences with local hospitals, birth centers, obstetricians and midwives. The other states can now participate in providing honest feedback about their recent birth experiences in the United States.
The Birth Survey
CIMS has launched the Transparency in Maternity Care Project with the intent to provide easy access to data on hospital and birth center practices and intervention rates all on one site. The Birth Survey site can guide families towards making choices based on reviews and recommendations for birth centers, hospitals and care providers. It is the first of its kind and seems to be pleasing moms that have taken the survey so far:
- “I am thrilled that someone is compiling this information. I wish I had been better apprised of my options giving birth in New York City. I searched for information, but found little. Thank you! - Survey Respondent 22”*
- “Very comprehensive, and ABOUT TIME. I am so glad a resource like this will be available soon. I wish I had had access to it beforehand. Survey Respondent 5.”*
- “Thank you so much for putting this together. My husband asked why I was taking the time to answer the questions, and I told him because it was the first and ONLY time I have had the opportunity to tell anyone in an official capacity about my experience at LICH. Thank you for giving me this chance.- Survey Respondent 462”*
About the Organization
CIMS goals include reducing the cost of maternity services and improving outcomes for both mother and baby. In collaboration with national organizations and childbirth professionals internationally CIMS launched the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI).
In the winter 2007 issue of The Journal of Perinatal Education®, a publication by Lamaze International, CIMS published findings for their Coalition for Improving Maternity Services: Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care .
The steps were published as follows:
- Step 1: Offers All Birthing Mothers Unrestricted Access to Birth Companions, Labor Support, Professional Midwifery Care
- Step 2: Provides Accurate, Descriptive, Statistical Information About Birth Care Practices
- Step 3: Provides Culturally Competent Care
- Step 4: Provides the Birthing Woman With Freedom of Movement to Walk, Move, Assume Positions of Her Choice
- Step 5: Has Clearly Defined Policies, Procedures for Collaboration, Consultation, Links to Community Resources
- Step 6: Does Not Routinely Employ Practices, Procedures Unsupported by Scientific Evidence
- Step 7: Educates Staff in Nondrug Methods of Pain Relief and Does Not Promote Use of Analgesic, Anesthetic Drugs
- Step 8: Encourages All Mothers, Families to Touch, Hold, Breastfeed, Care for Their Babies
- Step 9: Discourages Nonreligious Circumcision of the Newborn
- Step 10: Strives to Achieve the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative to Promote Successful Breastfeeding
Resources
Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, 1500 Sunday Drive, Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27607, Telephone: 919.863.9482, Fax: 919.787.4916, info@motherfriendly.org
Choices in Childbirth, 441 Lexington Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10017, Telephone: 212-983-4122, info@choicesinchildbirth.org
*Quotes provided by Nancy Madru, GAC Ambassador for the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, used here with permission. Based on anonymity the mothers' names are not disclosed to CIMS during the survey.
Amy Kreydin - Amy Kreydin, NBCRT, CCAP, BD is a Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist.
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