The Birth Survey Is Now Available Nationwide

As part of the Transparency in Maternity Care Project, the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) developed The Birth Survey as a free online resource for new mothers in the United States to share their consumer reviews of doctors, midwives, hospitals and birth centers, learn about the choices and birth experiences of others, and view data on hospital and birth center standard practices and intervention rates.

Women who have given birth within the past three years can take the anonymous online consumer feedback survey. The survey asks mothers a variety of questions about their satisfaction with their maternity care providers and birth setting, and includes their feedback in the results. In addition to the consumer data, the Web site will begin to list obstetrical intervention data for each hospital as provided by state Departments of Health. The Birth Survey is designed to help women find quality providers and birth settings that are the best match for their needs and lifestyles. Providers and facilities also will be able to utilize The Birth Survey as a consumer feedback and quality improvement tool.

Help spread the word about The Birth Survey!

Breastfeeding Report Card from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released its Breastfeeding Report Card with information on how breastfeeding is being protected, promoted and supported in each state. The publication reports information state-by-state information on five “outcome” and nine “process” indicators. These indicators can be used to: tell the story of breastfeeding practices in each state; monitor progress and celebrate state successes; identify opportunities for growth and improvement in breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support within each state. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/report_card.htm

Cover Kids Search

San Diego Family is looking for children ages 2 -11 and one parent/child combo to appear on the cover of a future issue of San Diego Family Magazine or Out & About 09. Submitted photos of 25
finalists from each age group will be published in San Diego Family Magazine. It’s open to all San Diego County kids. Complete and return the online registration form with a recent, quality photo and the $25 per entry registration fee. On the back of photo, include child’s name, age and date the photo was taken. Photos will not be returned.

Entries must be postmarked by September 15, 2008. Questions? 619-685-6970 or coverkids@sandiegofamily.com. A portion of the proceeds from the contest will be donated to Ronald McDonald House.

Find your entry form on www.sandiegofamily.com. Print and mail to San Diego Family Magazine
Cover Kids, PO Box 23960, San Diego, CA 92193