The 2013 Healthgrades Reports Women Need to Lean In

14 Comments / New York, New Zealand, Newborn/Breastfeeding, Pregnancy / By / July 15, 2013 / , , , , , , , ,

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Healthgrades. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

According to Healthgrades, when we approach our health and the care we receive, we need to lean in, ask questions, investigate options and take charge of our healthcare futures. “Lean In”, the theme of this year’s report, builds on the popularity of Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook’s, best-selling book.

Our arrival in New York from New Zealand was delayed due to paperwork at the US government level. I arrived in New York 6 and a half months pregnant and my search for an OBGYN in a new country, with a healthcare system foreign to me was not easy. No one wanted to take me on, that late in the pregnancy I was considered a risk.

As I reached 32 weeks, I  remember breaking down in tears on the phone with one receptionist. My first born was 3.5 weeks early and doctors in New Zealand told me their was a 95% likelihood that this one would come early too – the clock was ticking and I was at risk of going into labor and having a complete stranger deliver my baby. This was scary and also stark contrast to my first delivery which was an all natural delivery in a hospital with a midwife I’d had a relationship with since the 12th week of my pregnancy.

It was at that point that thankfully I discovered Healthgrades online. I was able to search on a variety of values, such as region, doctor’s qualifications and background as well as star ratings from other moms. I tracked down a doctor that had a gentle approach to obstetrics and I ultimately my wishes were maintained at the labor. 

Healthgrades’ Maternity Care ratings are based on the analysis and equal weighting of the four factors listed below.

  • Maternal complication rate among women undergoing vaginal deliveries
  • Maternal complication rate among women undergoing cesarean-sections (C-sections)
  • Number of newborns adjusted for the percentage that were low birth weight
  • Newborn risk-adjusted mortality
So on top of being able to choose a doctor I felt would respect and help me have the delivery I envisioned, Healthgrades was also invaluable in putting my mind at ease about the hospital I was going to give birth at.  Because my plan was always to have a hypnobirth, it was important to me to have a doctor that could support my want for a non-medicated birth, within a hospital that had a low complication rate.

Healthgrades evaluates clinical outcomes for women not only in the female-specific specialties of maternity care and gynecologic surgery, but also in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and critical care. As heads of households, us moms not only have to find our own specialists, but also doctors and specialists for our husbands and kids. I’ve had a great experience with this website and have continued to use it to search for dentist and a primary care doctor.

My baby girl, born via hypnobirth with no complications in Manhattan

The person you entrust to help you give birth to a new life should be vetted, and should be someone you are comfortable with.

I encourage you to download Healthgrades 2013 Women’s Health Report: “Lean In” When Making Healthcare Decisions to Get Your Best Outcome and use it as you make decisions on your family’s health providers. This report evaluates the quality of healthcare for women in American hospitals and recognizes top-performing hospitals throughout the country for their achievement in addressing a variety of women’s health issues. 

Have you ever used Healthgrades or had a need to research a new doctor?

14 thoughts on “The 2013 Healthgrades Reports Women Need to Lean In”

    1. Ghada V

      It was pretty nightmarish, Mitch. The first 2 or so months in NYC were rough! But, I’m out the other side and absolutely loving it now 🙂

  4. JENN

    YOUR belly is so cute! Good luck with the labour! Hopefully this little one stays in a little longer! all the best!

  6. Wendi S

    I have never used them because I have heard of them but I always assumed they were federal reports. (Don’t I feel stupid?!) I am glad your birth was what you wanted and you got a gorgeous little baby!

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