Midwifery Week: Share the Survey

For the last day of National Midwifery Week we’ve been tasked with sharing the most shocking results from the ACNM survey  that “was completed by 1,252 women between the ages 18 and 45, of a variety of cultural backgrounds, from across the United States.” I have to say that most of the results should be shocking, and you should read them, but I can’t say that with the nature of health care these days I was very surprised by the results. Here are the two that I thought were worthy of sharing:

Even though one in three babies in the U.S. are born by cesarean section, more than 80% of women who have given birth or are pregnant have not discussed the surgery with their provider during their pregnancy. 

Even with the overwhelming benefits of breastfeeding to both moms and babies, approximately 3 out of 4 women did not talk with a care provider about breastfeeding during their pregnancy.


These items were discussed in my own pre and post natal meetings with my midwives, however briefly. Certainly, if I had wanted to talk about anything in depth, there was the opportunity as our appointments lasted from 30-60 minutes. In my well woman appointment my midwife and I spoke on a whole range of issues from breastfeeding to cancer to birth control. In fact we could have waxed on for many hours, but I do like to talk a lot. Throw in the topic of midwifery and there’s no stopping me.


This has been a really exciting week for me in my search for ways to inform people about midwifery care and the amazing ways that it can transform so many aspects of health care, not just pregnancy and birth. I hope you’ve taken a couple minutes and checked out the American College of Nurse Midwives website. Thanks to the ACNM for providing such a great opportunity to educate and inform.


I’d be interested in knowing if you learned anything from this week or have considered making any changes in your own health care. If you’re so inclined, and your device will let you, leave a comment below or on Facebook. If you have further questions I’m also happy to point you in the direction of an answer.


vintage bouquet, my new favorite tea from Dawson’s in Boise. With honey please.