Does the place you plan to give birth have the tools you will want during labor, such as a birth ball, shower, or tub? What will be your options for pain relief if you need it? What is the Cesarean section rate at the hospital where you are planning to have your baby? Will your older child be welcome at the birth? How can you compare different providers of maternity services and what they offer to find the balance of services, procedures and amenities that works for you? How can you best learn about the local standards of maternity care?

For more than 30 years, Great Starts, formerly CEAS, has been performing a survey of birth services in the Puget Sound. This survey includes hospitals, birth centers and out- of-hospital birth services from all over the region. The survey collects data that covers amenities as well as maternity care practices and procedures and statistics. The results reported here are all written as reported to us by the administrative staff of the birthplaces.

Survey questionnaires were sent out in late 2003, and the results published here are current as of early 2004. The 2006 survey will likely be available in the fall.

Executive Summary of the Report: What to Expect at the Typical Seattle Birthplace

List of Hospitals, and Out-of-Hospital Services which participated in the Survey

All the Data: Spreadsheet of Detailed Survey Results, by Birthplace

Understanding the Numbers: How do Seattle birthplaces compare to best-practice recommendations.

Contact Information for Tours of Birthplaces

Eligibility Criteria for Out-of-Hospital Birth

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