The survey is done! August 16, 2009

***UPDATE***

In the 24 hours since the survey was opened, we’ve had 34 respondents. The survey will remain open for at least a couple of more days, depending on the turn out. I’d like a minimum of 50 responses, but will close it early if it takes more than a week.
Quick stats (but keep in mind that this is not a scientific survey and the vast majority of surveys were solicited from a natural family living community.)

One set of twins.
78% enter into labor or are induced between 38 and 41 weeks
65% IV use, 35% no IV (those who had heplock or no IV until c-section or Epidural are counted as “no”)
35% monitored continuously by belts, 15% internal, only participant without monitoring was c-section before labor.

6% c-section before labor, 24% induction rate,
One cytotec induction, 44% of inductions were with pitocin only, 33% with cervidil followed by pitocin
43% augmentation with pitocin (this includes inductions)
43% of pitocin recipients were started at 3-4 cm, only one received pitocin after 8 cm but before birth.
56% reported pain of 3 or less before pitocin (scale 1-10) 19% reported pain of 3 or less after pitocin. 64% report pain of 7 or more after pitocin. (this includes those who received an epidural with pitocin)
40% epidural use. (those who received spinal right before c-section are not counted)
3% received other chemical pain relief, but not an epidural.
44% of epidural recipients got it after receiving pitocin

31% labored in bed,   57% had a doula,   43% used a birthball
74% pushed while reclining or on the back,  10% while squatting (the survey failed to account for pushing while standing, kneeling, and side-lying positions. In addition, some participants did not push because of cesarean, and some women pushed but also had cesareans.)
34% did not tear, 44% tore, 16% episiotomy. 62% were 2nd degree
one vaccum extraction
seven cases of fetal distress, three of  shoulder dystocia
18% cesarean rate
76% report no pressure to perform a c-section
one court-ordered cesarean
one stillbirth (that was noted, there was no question about fetal outcome on the form)
three labors > 40 hours

At some point this week I’ll get started on Birth Survey II and correct the construction flaws, but that one is going to take me more then a couple of hours.

>>>>Labor and Delivery  Survey<<<<

Everyone jump in, the more the better! Please let me know if anything is missing. Elaborate as much as possible.

ETA: Well, thinking about this survey kept me up nearly all night. I realized that I needed to make a note here that the survey is designed and intended to analyze hospital births. In addition, I realise now that the survey is woefully incomplete. I failed to include any questions about maternal-fetal morbidity or mortality, amniotomy, multiple births progress and results, and plenty of other things that came to me last night that I now can’t remember. Please keep in mind I created the survey all in one sitting, over the course of a couple of hours, while also trying to get my kids to sleep, and it was pretty late too. Please allow me some mistakes. Needless to say, I believe there will be a “Birth Experiences Survey II” at some point in the future.  I’d like a few results of the current survey to help give me ideas as to what other parts of the puzzle I may be missing.