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Childbirth Connection

This website gives you information, tools and resources to become an active member of your maternity care team and active participant in your care. You may be surprised to know that being fully engaged in your maternity care can make all the difference in the care you get, your experiences and the well-being of both you and your baby.

Having the skills, knowledge and confidence to wisely navigate your maternity care is important because:

  • The quality of maternity care varies a lot across providers and care settings. The care arrangements you make affect what happens to you and your health.
  • There is broad agreement that cesareans and many other maternity practices are overused and can cause needless discomfort and harm. Becoming informed and following proven tips can help you avoid these problems.
  • High-quality research points to many safer, more effective practices for you and your baby. But it can take many years before these practices are reliably provided to women and babies at the point of care. Knowing about and seeking best practices can make a big difference for both of you.
  • Your baby is counting on you to advocate for her or his best start.

You are embarking on many years of responsibility for managing health care across generations. Pregnancy and birth is an ideal time to develop skills, knowledge and confidence for a lifetime. You’ve come to the right place!

Resources

About

Founded in 1918 as the Maternity Center Association, Childbirth Connection is now a core program of the National Partnership for Women & Families. For nearly 100 years, we have helped develop and advance many forms of care that are now critical components of the...

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Resources

With these evidence-based resources, Childbirth Connection aims to help you make informed decisions and receive care that is in line with your values and preferences. You will also find the resources below referenced throughout the website. Taking Charge of Your...

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Giving Birth

The decisions you make about childbirth and the maternity care that you receive can have lasting effects on your health and well-being and that of your baby and your family. Childbirth Connection is here to help you become an active participant in your maternity care...

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Healthy Pregnancy

Where and with whom you give birth can have a major influence on your care options, the care you receive, both your and your baby’s health, and your satisfaction with your childbearing experience. That’s why it is important, early in pregnancy, to seek out...

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Planning Pregnancy

Pre-pregnancy (or pre-conception) decisions make a difference for your health and your baby’s health. Simply put, the healthier you are when you become pregnant, the more likely you are to have a healthy baby. The fetus’ organs begin to form in the first...

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Maternity Care

This website gives you information, tools and resources to become an active member of your maternity care team and active participant in your care. You may be surprised to know that being fully engaged in your maternity care can make all the difference in the care you...

read more