Maternity Care in NSW - Having Your Say 2013-14. A survey about women’s views of their maternity care

Abstract

This report details the findings of a survey with women about their expectations and experiences of maternity care in public hospitals in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The report provides background information about the survey project, and a summary of the responses from the women participating in the survey. The survey and this report have been structured around the three main maternity care periods: antenatal (pregnancy); birth; and postnatal (the first days and weeks after birth). All women who gave birth between 1 May and 31 July 2013 at seven public maternity units in NSW were eligible to participate in the survey. These seven maternity units account for approximately 11% of births in public hospitals in NSW, and represent a mixture of urban and regional, and tertiary and smaller health services. A total of 2048 women were mailed a survey. Survey packs were returned as undeliverable for 59 women, and 913 women returned a completed survey, representing a response rate of 46% (913/1989).