Important U.S. Birth Stats

In 1997:
99% of all births took place in hospitals
92% of all births were attended by
physicians (4% with Osteopaths)
7% of all births were attended by midwives
Of the midwife-attended births, 95% were
attended by CNMs
The state with the most midwife-attended
births was New Mexico (20%)

From 1989 to 1997:
Cesarean section rates decreased from 22.8% to 20.8%
VBACs increased from 18.9% to 27.4%! " still shameful, but it represents a 50% increase
The use of electronic fetal monitoring increased 22% (to 83% in 1997)
The use of at least one ultrasound during pregnancy increased 35% (to 64% in 1997)
Stimulation of labor (e.g., stripping of membranes) increased 6% (to 17% in 1997)
Induction of labor (e.g., with Pitocin) increased 9% (to 18% in 1997)
In other words, one third (34%) of all births in 1997 were either artificially stimulated or induced
Forceps deliveries fell 49% (from 5.5% to 2.8% of all births)
Vacuum extraction increased 77% (from 3.5% to 6.2% of all births)
CNMs became more likely to practice in hospitals than in out-of-hospital settings (their attendance at births in birthing centers and private residences dropped between 1989 and 1997)
"Other" midwives' attendance at births in private residences increased; in birthing centers, dropped
Among births in out-of-hospital settings, home births are on the rise and birthing center births are decreasing

The report concludes, "In general it appears from the data in this report that despite the increase in midwife-attended births, obstetric interventions are increasing.  Although cesareans have generally declined, induced vaginal births have doubled."

A copy of the full report can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvs47_27.pdf