The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the University
of New South Wales have recently (2013) published the National Core Maternity
Indicators.
“This is the first report of 10 national core
maternity indicators for monitoring the quality of maternity care in Australia.
National rates have decreased for smoking in pregnancy, episiotomy among women having
their first baby and giving birth vaginally, and the proportion of babies born weighing
less than 2,750 grams at or after 40 weeks. However, for some indicators, including
induction of labour, caesarean section and instrumental vaginal birth, rates
have increased and point to areas for possible further attention.”
This report is good in many ways, mainly because it
quantifies key areas we as health care professionals should be concerned with.
Perhaps the most concerning statistic is the rate of normal (non-instrumental)
vaginal birth for selected women giving birth for the first time – 49.6%. This
means that as a first-time Mum, you are more likely to have a Caesarean
Section, Forceps or Vacuum-assisted birth then you are to push your baby out
unassisted! Scary stuff!
Place of birth is also important
“Selected women giving
birth for the first time in public hospitals were more likely than those giving
birth in private hospitals to have a normal vaginal birth (56.7% and 36.9%
respectively).”
Sometimes difficult to access, the information can be found.
You are perfectly entitled to ask your chosen care provider what their statistics
are.
The MyBirth website contains statistics on most hospitals which makes very
interesting reading http://www.mybirth.com.au/birth-stats/
For example; if you’re planning a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) the
hospital with the highest VBAC success rate in NSW (2009) is Bega Hospital –
38.1%. Private Hospitals in NSW average 7.4% success rate (so an average of 92.6%
end with a caesarean section). Public Hospitals in NSW average 13.44% success rate
(so an average of 86.56% end with a caesarean section). Clicking onto various Independent
Midwives VBAC Success rates produces results ranging from 82-90%. Food for
thought.
As health care providers I think we need to take a serious
look at these statistics and reflect on our own practice. As women, we need to
research, research and do some more research. Educate ourselves and make informed
choices. Remember, it’s Your Body, Your Birth and Your Baby.
♥ Bec
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report can be
found at
MyBirth statistics can be found at
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