CHILDBIRTH IN SYDNEY TEACHING HOSPITALS: A STUDY OF LOW‐RISK PRIMIPAROUS WOMEN

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Abstract
Childbirth data from the hospital records of a random sample of 398 low‐risk primiparous women at five Sydney teaching hospitals were examined. Rates of medical interventions and medication use showed marked variability between hospitals, and most rates were relatively high compared with data from other states and countries. For example, the range across hospitals of forceps delivery was 29 per cent to 51 per cent with an average proportion of 43 per cent, compared with around 18 per cent in teaching hospitals in other states. Forceps use was three times more common when epidural anaesthesia was used. Women's ratings of interventions were generally neutral or positive but their overall satisfaction ratings were significantly lower in more difficult births.

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