Supporting Vaginal Delivery for Low Risk Mothers

SOAR

Abbreviation

Supporting Vaginal Delivery for Low Risk Mothers

In this page you will find:

  • Project Overview
  • 2022 Webinar Series Information
  • Project Impact & Importance
  • Approach
  • Data
  • Webinar Series
  • Onboarding Information
  • Resources

Project Overview:

SuppOrting VAginal Delivery For Low Risk Mothers (SOAR) is an initiative to reduce unnecessary cesarean delivery for low-risk, first-time pregnant mothers. The focus is on delivery of a nulliparous (first-time), singleton (single infant), term (> 37 weeks gestation) newborn in vertex (head-down) position, known as NTSV delivery.

Project Impact:

“I am so proud of the work our physicians and nurses at Vail Health are doing as we participate in SOAR. Being a part of this project with other Colorado hospitals has given us the support and spirit to invigorate the work we do at Vail Health. For the past three months, the cesarean rate for our first-time, low-risk mothers has been below 13%. We are making a significant difference in the lives of families in our community, helping to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality.”

Elizabeth McDaniel, BSN, CNML, RNC-OB
Clinical Nurse Manager, Family Birth Center, Vail Health Hospital

Project Importance:

Nearly 1 in 3 women who give birth in the United States does so by cesarean section. Cesarean birth can be life-saving for the fetus, the mother, or both in some cases. However, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there is no clear evidence that the high cesarean delivery rate has reduced maternal or neonatal morbidity or mortality, raising concern that cesareans are over-utilized. Unnecessary cesarean sections increase maternal morbidity and mortality and drive up health care costs.

Cesarean deliveries are associated with higher risk of maternal morbidity, including hemorrhage that requires hysterectomy or blood administration, uterine rupture, anesthesia complications, venous thromboembolism, infection, and wound disruption or hematoma. Infants born by cesarean are at greater risk for respiratory problems, antibiotic exposure and interference with maternal-child bonding.

At 21.4%, Colorado has a NTSV cesarean delivery rate that is better than the national average. But, there are broad differences in rates among Colorado hospitals, ranging from 7% to 45%.

Approach:

CPCQC is working with participating hospitals and their obstetrical providers to assure that the recommendations from ACOG and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) are consistently practiced. To accomplish this, we are adapting and adopting tools from a toolkit developed by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) and implementing the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health’s (AIM) Patient Safety Bundle.

Data:

Webinar Series:

April 28th 12-1pm MT, Induction of Labor and Labor Induction Management with Dr. Spencer McClelland

July 28th 12-1pm MT, Birth Trauma with Meredith Shefferman, PhD

Onboarding Information:

Visit this page if you are being onboarded to the SOAR Initiative.

Resources:

Want to learn more about safely reducing unnecessary cesarean deliveries? Check-out these tools and sites:

Ready to Make a Difference?

A steady rise in maternal mortality rates and disparities in infant mortality have increased the spotlight on the quality of care delivered by hospitals and their staff. Together, we can address these issues, improve outcomes and reduce preventable deaths in our state.

Get Involved

Cpcqc is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to promote and advance perinatal care in the state of Colorado. As such, we are unable to distribute information involving for-profit entities, such as pharmaceutical companies or other healthcare vendors.

Healthier Outcomes For Colorado’s Pregnant and Postpartum People, Infants, and their Families