| Learning Objective #1: Describe Maternity Center Association's activities to promote evidence-based practice in the care of pregnant women and its review comparing risks of cesarean and vaginal birth | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify the full range of shorter term, ongoing, and future reproductive risks for mothers and babies that differ by mode of delivery |
The Maternity Center Association (MCA) of New York is addressing this situation through its current national Maternity Wise program designed to promote evidence-based practice. This session will present a successful “translational model” disseminating evidence associated with the work of MCA's Cesarean Alert Initiative. An interdisciplinary MCA team conducted a systematic review of several hundred research studies to identify the full range of risks that differ by mode of delivery; developed a consumer booklet to present and review results supporting informed decision-making, and is carrying out an ongoing education and advocacy campaign with health professionals, advocates, childbearing women, and the media. The review of research followed established principles for systematic review designed to minimize bias and increase confidence in results. Based on the review, dozens of outcomes in mothers and babies that appear to differ by mode of delivery were identified. The scope of the review included a specific focus on two key questions that are salient for current policy and practice: What are the causes of adverse pelvic floor outcomes and how safe are planned cesareans in comparison with both unplanned cesarean and vaginal birth?
The presentation will address a successful model for translating evidence to professionals and consumers toward the goal of advancing the health of women and newborns. Model components include using strategies for partnering with other organizations to promote evidence-based practice in the context of education and public policy.