MONAHRQ Demo - Childbirth

This information is for reference purposes only. It was current when produced and may now be outdated. Archive material is no longer maintained, and some links may not work. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing this information should contact us at: https://info.ahrq.gov. Let us know the nature of the problem, the Web address of what you want, and your contact information.

Please go to www.ahrq.gov for current information.

Childbirth. In general, pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or just over 9 months. Mothers and babies are monitored closely during labor. Most women are healthy enough to have a baby through vaginal delivery. If there are problems, the baby may need to be delivered surgically by a Cesarean section (C-section). Babies grow and develop all the way through the final few weeks of pregnancy. To make sure babies are as healthy as possible, delivery should not be scheduled before 39 weeks unless there are medical problems.1 Preterm birth is the birth of a baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Very preterm birth (before 32 weeks) is the most common reason for infant death and a leading cause of long-term health and developmental problems in children.1 (1 Preterm Birth | Maternal and Infant Health | Reproductive Health | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm)

Select to Compare Hospitals for this Topic. Comparing hospitals can help you spot potentially problematic safety concerns for hospitals you're considering. Tips / Checklist: To reduce the risk of preterm birth, get prenatal care as soon as you think you are pregnant. Don't smoke, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs if you think you are pregnant. Get medical care if you see warning signs of preterm labor. If you have had a preterm birth before, you should let your doctor know early and discuss interventions that may prevent preterm birth. Even if you had a C-section before, do not assume you have to have another. Many women can have vaginal deliveries after having a C-section in the past.

How do hospitals in In My State perform on Childbirth? Babies scheduled for delivery before 39 weeks when not medically necessary: 2.1%.

WHY SHOULD YOU COMPARE? All hospitals are not the same. Some are better overall, some are not so good. Some do well in some areas of care but not in others. Comparing hospitals helps: Spot potentially problematic safety concerns for hospitals you're considering. Make better health care decisions for you and your loved ones. Show you how hospitals you're considering perform in critical safety areas. Talking with your doctor shows you want to be a partner in your care. It also helps remind your care team to take certain actions to keep you as safe as possible. Select to Compare Hospitals for this Topic. Find hospitals that perform best in the areas you care about.

The information on this page is archived and provided for reference purposes only.