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Table 2 Definition of maternal and child health (MCH) outcome variables and the distribution these variables in the Canadian maternity experiences survey

From: Patterns of social inequalities across pregnancy and birth outcomes: a comparison of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic measures

Variables & definitions

Categories ɸ

Total sample (weighted)*

  

N

%

A Maternal and infant health status indicators

   

Preterm Birth

   

Infant was born before 37 weeks gestation

Total

66611

100.00

 

Yes

4125

6.19

 

No (ref.)

62487

93.81

Small for Gestational Age

   

Baby’s birth weight below the 10th percentile for his/her gestational age and sex

Total

66461

100.00

Yes

5277

7.94

 

No (ref.)

61184

92.06

Self rated health

Total

68675

100.00

Mother’s rating of her overall health (postpartum)

Fair/poor

3455

5.03

Good/very good (ref.)

65220

94.97

Postpartum Depression

Total

68160

100.00

Maternal score on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression scale

> = 13 on the EPDS

4942

7.25

less than 13 on the EPDS (ref.)

63219

92.75

Pre-pregnancy BMI

Total

67668

100.00

(Body mass index)

Under 18.5

3780

5.59

Normal BMI (18.5 – 24.9) (ref.)

40333

59.60

 

Over 24.9

23556

34.81

B Prenatal care

   

First prenatal care visit timing

Total

68010

100.00

14 weeks or more

3346

4.92

Before 14 weeks (ref.)

64664

95.08

Timing of ultrasound

   

Timing of first ultrasound during pregnancy

Total

66833

100.00

18 weeks or more

22443

33.58

Before 18 weeks (ref.)

44390

66.42

HIV testing

Total

68705

100.00

HIV testing of mothers who had prenatal care visits (94.9% of mothers)

Not tested

11010

16.03

Don’t know

6457

9.40

Yes had the test (ref.)

51238

74.58

Received enough information during pregnancy

Total

68688

100.00

An index based on 6 yes/no questions on information received on physical, emotional changes, warning signs, tests, and medications and medical test/procedures that may be required during pregnancy; the index was calculated by creating a count variable

None

5144

7.49

 

Received Info (ref.)

63544

92.51

Weight gained during pregnancy (kg)

Total

67261

100.00

Mothers’ weight gain during pregnancy based on the Canadian Gestational Weight Gain recommendations

Below recommended range

12585

18.71

 

Within recommended range (ref.)

21871

32.52

 

Above recommended range

32805

48.77

C Labor and delivery experiences

   

Type of birth

Total

68705

100.00

 

Caesarean

18105

26.35

 

Vaginal (ref.)

50600

73.65

Epidural for a vaginal birth (not for caesarean section)

Total

50533

100.00

Of respondents who underwent a vaginal birth, indicates whether respondent used an epidural or spinal anesthetic during labor/birth of the baby.

Yes

27203

53.83

No (ref.)

23331

46.17

Position for vaginal birth

Total

50518

100.00

Which of the following best describes your position when (baby’s name) was born? 1. Lying on your side, 2. Propped up or sitting 3. Lying flat on your back, 4. Some other position.

Lying flat

23589

46.69

Not lying flat (ref.)

26928

53.31

Shaving for a vaginal birth, not caesarean sections

Total

50301

100.00

Yes (ref.)

7576

15.06

No

42725

84.94

D Medical care during the neonatal period

   

Infant hospital readmission

   

Whether the baby has stayed at hospital overnight since he/she was born.

Total

68659

100.00

Yes

5161

7.52

No (ref.)

63498

92.48

Infant needing non-routine neonatal care after discharge

Total

68667

100.00

Whether the baby had a non-routine check-up since the time of birth.

Yes

33845

49.29

No (ref.)

34822

50.71

Baby admitted to NICU after birth

Total

68632

100.00

Indicates if baby was admitted to NICU immediately after birth.

Yes

8703

12.68

 

No (ref.)

59930

87.32

Length of hospital stay after birth

Vaginal Birth (Total)

49552

100.00

More than average (3–4 days)

12216

24.65

2 days (ref.)

37335

75.35

Caesarean (Total)

18105

100.00

More than average (3–4 days)

2983

16.47

2 days (ref.)

15122

83.53

E Postpartum infant care and maternal reflections on the overall experience of health care

   

Any breastfeeding at 3 months

Total

68705

100.00

Whether respondent was breastfeeding at 3 months.

Stopped by 3 months

36116

52.57

Yes (ref.)

32589

47.43

Any breastfeeding at 6 months

Total

68705

100.00

Whether respondent was breastfeeding at 6 months.

Stopped by 6 months

40493

58.94

Yes (ref.)

28212

41.06

Overall experience with labor and birth “Overall, would you describe the experience of labor and birth as: 1. Very negative, 2 Somewhat negative, 3. Neither negative nor positive, 4. Somewhat positive, 5. Very positive”

Total

68422

100.00

Neutral or dissatisfied: Categories 1–3 (very negative, somewhat negative and neither negative nor positive)

13441

19.64

 

Satisfied (ref.): Categories 4–5 (somewhat positive and very positive)

54981

80.36

Satisfaction with various aspects of maternity care “Think back to your entire pregnancy, labor and birth, and immediate postpartum experience, overall how satisfied or dissatisfied were you with: 1.information given, 2. respect, 3. compassion shown, 4. competency, 5.concern for privacy, 6. respondent involvement in decision making.”

Total

68674

100.00

Neutral or dissatisfied: Categories 1–3 (very negative, somewhat negative and neither negative nor positive)

12824

18.67

Categories: 1. Very negative, 2 Somewhat negative,

Satisfied (ref.): categories 4–5 (somewhat positive and very positive).

55850

81.33

3. Neither negative nor positive, 4. Somewhat positive, 5. Very positive

  1. ɸReference groups were chosen as those most commonly reported in the literature or in some cases for the category where there was the largest sample.
  2. *Due to missing data, the total number for some variables does not sum up to 68705.