Obstetrical Statistics
The following information is provided to help you become more informed about childbirth at South Shore Hospital. This information complies with state law, which requires hospitals to make obstetrical information available to the public.
The numbers by themselves cannot be used to say one hospital is doing a better job than another. If a hospital has less than 500 births a year, just a few births can change the numbers drastically. If a hospital has more high-risk births (those with complications), it may have higher rates of many of the interventions listed.
The figures also do not tell you about your own doctor’s practices. We urge you to discuss all aspects of your care with your own physicians. You can ask them if their own practices are similar or different. In this way you can use this information to talk over your choices and wishes for your child’s birth. We also encourage you to take childbirth preparation classes and to read books about childbirth to learn more about your options regarding the birth of your child. Our goal is to meet your individual needs during your birth experience.
Statistics and Definitions
There were 3,709 deliveries at South Shore Hospital during fiscal year
October 2008
to September 2009.
|
41% |
Cesarean sections: the percentage of all births that were by cesarean section. A cesarean section is when the doctor takes the baby out through the mother’s abdomen by surgical operation. |
|
24% |
Primary Cesarean births: the mother’s first Cesarean, regardless of whether she has given birth vaginally before. |
|
17% |
Repeat Cesarean births: a Cesarean when the mother has had one or more Cesarean births before. |
|
9% |
Vaginal birth after a cesarean: percentage of cases with a prior uterine scar, that delivered vaginally. |
|
91% |
Labors which were externally monitored: an external monitor is a machine that measure that baby’s heart rate and the contractions by two belts that are fastened around the mothers abdomen. The heart rate, which can be a sign of the baby’s well being, may also be checked by listening through the mother’s abdomen. |
|
9% |
Annual percentage of deliveries which were both internally and externally monitored. |
|
16% |
Annual percentage of deliveries by certified nurse-midwives. |
|
31% |
Labors which were induced: inductions are when labor is started by artificial means rather than beginning naturally. Usually, a drug called Pitocin is given through an intravenous line in the mother’s arm. The membranes (bag of water) may also be broken. |
|
75% |
Women who receive epidural anesthesia: when a drug is injected into the mother’s back so she will not feel pain below her breasts or waist, yet she is still awake. It is used in active labor, and for Cesarean births. |
|
1% |
Women who receive general anesthesia: when the mother is put to sleep for the birth. It is necessary for very rare, severe emergencies. |
|
76% |
Percentage of women breastfeeding on discharge: the percentage of all mothers who are breastfeeding when they go home from the hospital. Breastfeeding, even for a short period, has many health benefits for babies. |
Annual percentage of deliveries utilizing:
100% |
Intravenous |
17% |
Augmentation |
9% |
Episiotomies |
27% |
Spinal anesthesia |
<1% |
Forceps |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Veronica Ravnikar, MD, Chief of OB/GYN, 781-624-8450
Catherine Gilson, MHA, RNC, Nurse Manager/Maternity Center, 781-624-4226
