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 Through its Maternity Quality Matters Initiative, Childbirth Connection works to improve the quality of maternity care by impacting policy. "Policy" includes policies at the federal and state levels, and policies of standard-setting organizations, health plans, employers, hospitals and other entities that influence the provision of maternity care. Here is a summary of major work to date through this newest Childbirth Connection initiative with links for learning more. Inside Maternity Quality Matters:Why Maternity Quality MattersDespite the dedication and hard work of many maternity caregivers, the maternity care system is not set up to reliably deliver the care that is optimal for women and babies. Problems include "overuse," "underuse," and variation in care that is unrelated to needs of mothers and babies. Fortunately, there are unparalleled opportunities to improve the situation.Go to Why Maternity Quality Matters  Maternity Care Fact Sheet AvailableA new fact sheet (12/09) summarizes U.S. maternity care trends and figures from the latest federal reports. The fact sheet updates background information in the 2008 Milbank Report on Evidence-Based Maternity Care.Go to Latest Maternity Care Statistics Milbank Report: Evidence-Based Maternity Care (2008)In a new report, senior Childbirth Connection staff members take stock of the U.S. maternity care system and identify opportunities for improvement. Childbirth Connection, the Reforming States Group, and the Milbank Memorial Fund jointly issued the report. A report PDF is available here, and the Milbank Memorial Fund offers complimentary printed copies on request.Go to Evidence-Based Maternity Care Report Health Care Reform Priorities for High Quality, High Value Maternity CareChildbirth Connection has issued its statement outlining steps within health care reform initiatives to high quality, high value maternity care. The statement describes the population involved and the predominant position of maternity care in the U.S. health care system, as well as strategies in nine key areas that would lead to major improvements in maternity care quality and value.Go to Health Care Reform Priorities for High Quality, High Value Maternity Care Transforming Maternity Care ProjectChildbirth Connection's multi-year Transforming Maternity Care project has engaged stakeholders from across the health care system in setting the path toward significant maternity care quality improvement. Two direction-setting reports for generating a high-quality, high-value maternity care system are now published: "2020 Vision" and "Blueprint for Action." The Blueprint implementation phase of the project is under way.Go to Transforming Maternity Care Project Maternity Quality Matters AwardChildbirth Connection's new Maternity Quality Matters Award honors an entity that has achieved significant quality improvement in care for mothers and newborns. The Seton Family of Hospitals won the inaugural award for its impressive and continuing gains.Go to Maternity Quality Matters Award National Quality Forum's Perinatal Care Performance Measure SetThe National Quality Forum has been working with stakeholders from across the health care system to identify and assess perinatal care performance measures and endorse a national standardized measure set to foster maternity care quality improvement. Childbirth Connection's Executive Director Maureen Corry co-chaired the Steering Committee for this project.Go to Perinatal Care Performance Measures Most recent page update: 1/26/2010
© 2013 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 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. |
News and Features
Listening to MothersSM III is the third national
survey exploring women’s experiences in pregnancy and childbirth.
Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, conducted by Harris Interactive, and
funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the survey polled 2,400 women who gave
birth in U.S. hospitals from 2011 to 2012. Results show that medically
intensive experiences are typical, and evidence-based practices are
underutilized. Childbearing women need better support and knowledge to
navigate their maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials New Report: Maternity Care and Liability Go to report and supporting materials New Report: The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States Go to report and supporting materials New Cesarean Resources: Go to Best Evidence Report Go to web pages and booklet for women 
For 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the
quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families. Learn
more about our rich history through our interactive
timeline and give
$95 for 95 in honor of
our 95th birthday. 
Childbirth Connection works to ensure that all women and babies get the best
possible maternity care. We have the collective vision and we know how to get
there, but we can't do it alone. Join the transformation
today.
The Transforming
Maternity Care website focuses on maternity care
system improvements designed to engage diverse stakeholders in quality
improvement efforts. The site offers full access to the landmark reports 2020 Vision and
Blueprint for
Action, features a Blog, and other
resources such as an Action Center, a
database of
quality improvement projects, an interactive data
center, and many more tools
for advocates and stakeholders.
Help Transform Maternity Care! |
