Birth outcomes Women were asked if they had experienced a range of
maternal birth outcomes (vaginal tear requiring stitches, use of
forceps/ventouse suction, premature birth, caesarean section
before going into labour, caesarean section after labour started,
induction of labour, labour lasting more than 36 hours, episiotomy
[cutting of vagina], medical removal of placenta, and excessive
blood loss requiring extra blood or fluid by drip) and infant birth
outcomes (baby admitted to special care nursery, low birth weight
baby, initiation of breast-feeding, and continuation of breastfeeding
beyond six weeks).