Here are some pointers that will ensure accuracy of our data:

·  Make sure all of the "NTSV" boxes at the top of the form are checked so we can feel confident that the patient belongs in the database.  If any are checked "no" we are not entering that case into the database.  If they are left blank, you'll be hearing from Jessica.

·  Any question with an asterisk (*) is a required question.  Please do not leave those questions blank.  We hope you will make every effort to provide complete information for all of the other questions too!  If you find that information requested in a required question is not available to you, please let us know right away.

·  If a question has a "yes or no" response, please pick one of the answers (especially the questions about oxytocin).

·  The cervical exam questions will only accept a certain range of answers:

o   Dilation: whole numbers from 0-10

o   Effacement: 0-100% by tens (e.g., 10, 20, 30)

o   Station: -3 to +3 (It appears that all hospitals are using this scale, as opposed to the -5 to +5 scale. If the providers at your hospital are consistently using -5 to +5, let us know ASAP!)  If you write in the word "high" or draw an arrow pointing up, we will convert that to -3.

o   Consistency: Firm/Medium/Soft

o   Position (of the cervix, not the fetus!): posterior/mid/anterior

·  Primary indication for c-section: check only one primary indication.  Check all other indications in the following question.

·  Breech NTSV patients?  By definition, NTSV means the patient is vertex.  However, some breeches have appeared in the baseline data.  If the patient was admitted as NTSV and labored as such, and was later determined to be breech, include the patient in your dataset.  If the patient was intentionally labored as a breech presentation, she should not be included.

·  "Low-dose oxytocin" for cervical ripening: Do not use this response for Pitocin inductions unless the provider specifically ordered low-dose Pitocin for cervical ripening.  You may use this response if the cervical ripening method was Foley bulb/Pitocin.

·   Especially while we are entering your data for you, please make sure the handwriting is legible!