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. 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. Learn more About Us.


95 Years of Transforming Maternity Care



For the past 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families. Our mission is timeless and the time to give is now. Learn more about our rich history through our interactive timeline and give $95 for 95 in honor of our 95th birthday. Help us to transform maternity care before we turn 100!
News and updates from Childbirth Connection

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This comprehensive report from Childbirth Connection examines a longstanding concern in maternity care: medical liability. Reviewing the best available evidence, it shows that many widely held beliefs about maternity care and liability lack empirical support. Despite these troubling findings the report offers potential solutions, identifying 10 supported strategies for reform. Simultaneous with release of the full report, Women's Health Issues published three related peer-reviewed articles and an invited commentary by legal scholars.
Download the full report (PDF)
See the quality improvement strategies (PDF)
Get the fact sheets (PDF)
Access resources from Women's Health Issues

The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States

Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, Catalyst for Payment Reform, and the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, this in-depth report examines the many areas of maternity care that impose high costs on women and payers, often regardless of quality or value. The many separate analyses provided in the study compare cost by method of delivery, insurer status, service type, phase of care, geographic location, year and other relevant variables from across the maternity care spectrum. The conclusions of the report highlight the need to better align maternity care payment and quality.
Download The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States, full report (PDF)
Download the Executive Summary (PDF)
Read about this on the TMC Blog
Learn more about payment reform to align incentives with quality

Cesarean Section Resources for Women and Health Professionals

Childbirth Connection has released a scientific report on c-sections as well as a consumer booklet to reflect the growing body of available high-quality research. For health professionals, the best evidence review Vaginal or Cesarean Birth: What Is at Stake for Women and Babies compares health outcomes between cesarean delivery and vaginal birth, and highlights clinical and policy strategies to curb overuse of c-sections. For women, What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section summarizes the risks and benefits of c-section, encourages shared decision making, and assists with planning to prevent unnecessary cesareans.
Download the full evidence report (PDF)
Download the executive summary (PDF)
Access the booklet for women and companion web resources

Updated Childbirth Connection Resources

National cesarean section trend chart updated with provisional 2010 data shows a 0.1% decrease - the first dip in over a decade. A separate table provides primary cesarean and VBAC rates through 2009. Charts comparing average cesarean and vaginal birth payments in the US and other countries have also been updated with 2011 data: US payments remain well above all others. In the US, charges vary significantly by state, as seen in our state charges charts updated with the most recent available data from HCUP, and a new chart series comparing charges across the states.
See the latest U.S. c-section and VBAC rates (PDF)
See 2011 international payment comparison charts (PDF)
State charges charts
Learn more about payment reform to align incentives with quality (PDF)


News and updates from Childbirth Connection

A high-quality, high-value maternity care system is within reach, and childbearing women are the most important stakeholders to drive system change.


Childbirth Connection brought together more than 100 health care leaders – from delivery systems, providers, and consumers to health plans and purchasers, liability insurers and quality experts – to develop two direction-setting reports, "2020 Vision for a High-Quality, High-Value Maternity Care System" and "Blueprint for Action." These reports were the culmination of over two years' collaborative multi-stakeholder work aimed at reversing troubling trends and achieving high-quality, high-value maternity care.

Transforming Maternity Care offers full access to these reports and tracks and coordinates efforts to implement recommendations. Visit the site today to learn how you can be part of the transformation.

Also be sure to visit the Transforming Maternity Care Blog. The blog highlights innovative quality improvement efforts, introduces readers to inspiring leaders, analyzes health care trends, and shares opportunities and resources. Join the conversation to transform maternity care.

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Help Transform Maternity Care!

Help Transform Maternity Care!For the past 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families through research, education, advocacy and policy. Join our continuing efforts to make quality maternity care a top priority for policymakers, public and private purchasers, health care providers, and women themselves. Learn more about Transforming Maternity Care, and please consider a donation to help support it!



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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.