Widely-practiced, but medically-unadvised, early elective c-sections receive new press on the heels of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  UCLA's Dr. Michael Lu will discuss the relationship between the rising cesarean rate in the U.S. and the rise in our nation's preterm birth rate at the 2009 CIMS Forum, March 5-7, in San Diego.  Despite the World Health Organization's recommendation that that a country's c-section rate should not exceed 15%, the procedures accounted for 31% of U.S. births in 2006, the latest data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
CIMS joins the March of Dimes in calling on elected and appointed officials to commit more resources to address this growing problem and develop new strategies that will improve the health of mothers and babies.  CIMS thanks the March of Dimes for supporting Dr. Lu's presentation.  Please join us next month in San Diego at the 2009 CIMS Forum to hear more on this important topic and other issues affecting childbearing women.
 

To date, 27 organizations have joined CIMS to support one another and foster synergy toward "Making Mother-Friendly Care a Reality."  Interventive births, which are neither evidence-based nor cost-effective, are the highest they have ever been, and we see no sign that the rate is slowing much less dropping.  Maternal mortality and morbidity, infant mortality, preterm and near-term birth rates are all impacted.  Mothers and their families are facing multi-systemic issues in accessing and maintaining health care.  Now more than ever, it is a time for pulling together, for pooling talent and resources in our commitment to serving mothers and babies.

 

In the Dec. 2008, edition of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) released a Joint Policy Statement on Normal Birth (PDF) affirming and recommending steps to "restore confidence in the normal birth process" among childbearing women and health care professionals.  Among the specific recommendations in support of normal childbirth are the development of national practice guidelines on normal childbirth; provision of information and opportunities for discussion about natural childbirth to all pregnant women at low risk; and promotion of expert knowledge and skills in normal childbirth among health care professionals.  The Statement asserts that all health-care professionals should be committed to protecting, promoting, and supporting normal childbirth according to evidence-based practice.  The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative  enjoys similar broad support among childbirth professionals and remains the only consensus document in the U.S. on normal, natural childbirth practices.

 

CIMS joins more than 130 of the nation's leading healthcare organizations in support of the recommendations included in Stand For Quality's "Building a Foundation for High Quality, Affordable Health Care: Linking Performance Measurement to Health Reform."  This important position paper is supported by a broad range of stakeholders dedicated to improving care, reducing costs, including a consumer voice in health care, making quality, affordable health care accessible to all.  The recommendations stem from the active collaboration of patient and consumer groups, employers, physicians, nurses and other clinicians, health plans, hospitals and more.  Stand For Quality will deliver the position paper to members the new Administration and Congress in the coming weeks.  Please watch for more information from CIMS on this important new initiative.
 
As a member of the National Quality Forum, CIMS continues to work toward consumer participation and a comprehensive set of performance measures that can improve healthcare quality and affordability.  Please join CIMS in asking the new Administration to prioritize maternity care in health care reform efforts and to use the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative as a wellness model of care for childbearing women.  Here are a few ways that you can take an active role in shaping the future of maternity care:

 

The March of Dimes Perinatal Data Center developed the PeriStats Web site to provide maternity care professionals and others concerned with maternal and infant health with free access to maternal and infant health data.  The site is a comprehensive, online resource for perinatal statistics with customizable, up-to-date information at the national, state, and local levels to facilitate comparisons of important maternity and infant health indicators.  PeriStats integrates data from 12 government agencies and organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Census Bureau, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.
 

A study published in the Jan. 2009, edition of the journal Pediatrics examines the relationship between breastfeeding and maternity leave before and after delivery among working mothers in Southern California.  In "Juggling Work and Breastfeeding: Effects of Maternity Leave and Occupational Characteristics," the study authors assessed whether maternity leave and other occupational characteristics predicted the cessation of breastfeeding.  A maternity leave of less than six weeks or six to 12 weeks after delivery was associated with higher odds of failure to establish breastfeeding.  The study authors concluded that, "postpartum maternity leave may have a positive effect on breastfeeding among full-time workers, particularly those who hold non-managerial positions, lack job flexibility, or experience psychosocial distress."  California is one of only five states in the U.S. providing paid pregnancy leave that can be extended for infant bonding. 
 

Consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before and during early pregnancy can help reduce a woman's risk of having a pregnancy affected by a serious birth defect of the spine or brain.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a series of promotional tools to educate the public on this issue:

 

Attention BirthNetwork and Grassroots Leaders: In today's economy, you may be wondering where you'll find the resources you need to stay afloat, let alone continue to expand your amazing grassroots programs.  Sharpen your grantseeking skills with free online Webinars hosted by the Foundation Center.  With sessions on topics ranging from "Corporate Giving" to "Grantseeking Basics" to "Proposal Writing," these short, informative sessions will give you the edge in a rough economic climate.