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.

news and updates from Childbirth Connection

Join Our Maternity Quality Matters Campaign!

Join the Maternity Quality Matters CampaignOur 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!

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National Perinatal Performance Measures

The National Quality Forum has recently released its draft report with a proposed measure set and priorities for additional measures. Public reporting of performance can help women choose care, purchasers buy services, and providers improve quality.

Read Alert and joint letter


Cesarean Trends: Graphs and Links


graph of cesarean and vbac ratesGraph of cesarean section and VBAC trends, with latest national figures.

Get the updated c-section links and graphs learn more

Free Download of "Cesarean Birth in a Culture of Fear"


Mothering articleThis Mothering magazine article examines technological birth and the rising c-section rate in the United States. Reviews many facts and figures and underlying beliefs and practices. Features results from Childbirth Connection's national Listening to Mothers II survey. Excellent charts and illustrations of typical hospital birthing experience and surgical procedures.

Download this article learn more


Popular Resources from Childbirth Connection


Journey to Parenthood, our pregnancy book
Listening to Mothers II
The Rights of Childbearing Women
The Cesarean Booklet, What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section
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© 2008 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.